MEN OF MERIT
BUILDING BETTER MEN
Since our founding, Delta Upsilon has welcomed men of merit, and merit alone, into our chapters. This is the standard of membership by which we hold accountable both our individual members and our chapters. The Delta Upsilon Men of Merit Chapter Standards Program ensures chapters are meeting the expectations of membership in the Fraternity and providing a safe, educational and productive experience for its members.
DU seeks to build better men for a global society through service, leadership development, and lifelong personal growth of our diverse membership. The Men of Merit Program challenges our members and chapters to fulfill the expectations of membership by promoting friendship, developing character, diffusing liberal culture, and advancing justice on a daily basis.
Men of Merit Dashboard
Chapters can view their progress in the Men of Merit program by viewing their Men of Merit Dashboard in the DU Portal. The dashboard can found in the DU Portal by clicking on your chapter’s name in the top right corner of the navigation. Then select “Men of Merit Dashboard.” (If you have not yet claimed your DU Portal account, you can learn how to claim your account here.)
STANDARDS
The Men of Merit Standards identify 10 key areas essential to success for a Delta Upsilon chapter. Chapters are placed into one of three levels for each Standard based on their performance over the past year: Aspiration, Expectation and Minimum.
Click below to download a printable PDF of the Men of Merit Standards.
The Men of Merit Standards program allows for a chapter to submit an exemption request based on its inability to reach a specific level in any of the 10 Standards due to special or unique circumstances. The Men of Merit Committee will review the exemption requests and may choose to grant requests on a case-by-case basis annually. Questions about the exemption process can be directed to Director of Chapter Development Jose Vazquez at vazquez@deltau.org.
Standards Level Expectations
ASPIRATION
Chapters reaching the Aspiration level achieve above and beyond. These are model Delta Upsilon chapters and they are worthy of the Fraternity's highest honors.EXPECTATION
Chapters meeting the Expectation level are fulfilling their obligations as a chapter of Delta Upsilon. This is considered a solid level of achievement and one that is attainable by all chapters.MINIMUM
Chapters at the Minimum level are on their way to fulfilling the obligations of Delta Upsilon but have improvements to be made. Chapters failing to meet the minimum levels over multiple years may be jeopardy of reorganization or suspension.Men of Merit Chapter Standards
1. MEMBERSHIP
Aspiration
Chapter's membership size is at least 25% above the campus fraternity average.
Expectation
Chapter's membership size meets or exceeds the campus fraternity average.
Minimum
Chapter's membership size is no more than 10% below the campus fraternity average or 35 members, whichever is higher.
* This information is gathered from rosters on file with IHQ and University grade reports. Chapters must keep their rosters up to date via the DU Portal at all times.
2. Accounts Receivable
Aspiration
Chapter has no fees past due as of June 30.
Expectation
Chapter has no fees more than 30 days past due as of June 30.
Minimum
Chapter has no fees more than 60 days past due as of June 30 or is current on an agreed-to payment plan.
* Chapters must have a zero balance with IHQ (all bills paid) by June 30 to meet this requirement. This is tracked by IHQ.
3. Program Attendance
Aspiration
For United States Chapters: Chapter has at least 12 members attend various Delta Upsilon educational programs (Leadership Institute, Presidents Academy, Regional Leadership Academy, Emerging Leaders Experience, and the Global Service Initiative), including at least one registered delegate at Leadership Institute and one member at Presidents Academy.
For Canadian Chapters: Chapter has at least 8 members attend various Delta Upsilon educational programs (Leadership Institute, Presidents Academy, Regional Leadership Academy, Emerging Leaders Experience, and the Global Service Initiative), including at least one registered delegate at Leadership Institute and one member at Presidents Academy.
Expectation
For United States Chapters: Chapter has at least 10 members attend various Delta Upsilon educational programs (Leadership Institute, Presidents Academy, Regional Leadership Academy, Emerging Leaders Experience, and the Global Service Initiative), including at least one registered delegate at Leadership Institute and one member at Presidents Academy.
For Canadian Chapters: Chapter has at least 6 members attend various Delta Upsilon educational programs (Leadership Institute, Presidents Academy, Regional Leadership Academy, Emerging Leaders Experience, and the Global Service Initiative), including at least one registered delegate at Leadership Institute and one member at Presidents Academy.
Minimum
For United States Chapters: Chapter has at least 6 members attend various Delta Upsilon educational programs (Leadership Institute, Presidents Academy, Regional Leadership Academy, Emerging Leaders Experience, and the Global Service Initiative), including at least one registered delegate at Leadership Institute and one member at Presidents Academy.
For Canadian Chapters: Chapter has at least 4 members attend various Delta Upsilon educational programs (Leadership Institute, Presidents Academy, Regional Leadership Academy, Emerging Leaders Experience, and the Global Service Initiative), including at least one registered delegate at Leadership Institute and one member at Presidents Academy.
* Chapter representatives must register for and attend each program (in full) to receive credit for attendance. IHQ takes attendance at educational programs and automatically records this for chapters for Men of Merit tracking.
4. Loss Prevention
Expectation
Chapter has no Loss Prevention Policy violations and has implemented Substance-free Housing (if applicable) or has been granted and abides by the terms of the Substance-free Housing Event Exception Agreement.
* This information is tracked by IHQ based on conduct incidents adjudicated by the Fraternity and/or university.
5. Chapter Excellence Plan
Aspiration
At least 90% of required criteria and at least 60% of optional criteria
Expectation
At least 80% of required criteria and at least 45% of optional criteria
Minimum
At least 70% of required criteria and at least 30% of optional criteria.
* If a chapter reaches one level in required and a different level in optional, their overall Men of Merit performance in the CEP standard will be based on the lower of the two (for example – if a chapter completes 95% of required criteria but only 35% of optional criteria, the chapter will be marked as Minimum overall). The submission deadline for fall CEP criteria is Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Spring submissions are due June 1 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. However, submissions should be uploaded throughout the year as criteria are completed to save your chapter time at the end of the year.
CEP submissions should be uploaded at https://www.deltau.org/chapter-excellence-plan.
6. Learning Assessment
Aspiration
Chapter has 95% member completion of Tightrope by Plaid. Chapter has 95% member completion of the Delta Upsilon Membership Outcomes Assessment.
Expectation
Chapter has 85% member completion of Tightrope by Plaid. Chapter has 85% member completion of the Delta Upsilon Membership Outcomes Assessment.
Minimum
Chapter has 60% member completion of Tightrope by Plaid Chapter has 60% member completion of the Delta Upsilon Membership Outcomes Assessment.
* Member completion of Plaid and the Membership Outcomes Assessment is tracked by IHQ.
7. Philanthropy
Aspiration
Chapter raises a total of at least $3,000 for philanthropic endeavors, including at least $2,500 for the Global Service Initiative. Proof, in the form of an acknowledgement email or letter from the charity, of funds donated to a non-profit other than the Global Service Initiative must be submitted to the Fraternity to satisfy this standard.
Expectation
Chapter raises at least $1,000 for the Global Service Initiative.
Minimum
Chapter raises at least $500 for the Global Service Initiative or for a charity of their choice. If the funds are not benefitting GSI, proof, in the form of an acknowledgement email or letter from the charity, of funds donated to a non-profit other than the Global Service Initiative must be submitted to the Fraternity to satisfy this standard.
*The deadline for this standard is June 1.
Letters must be emailed to Director of Chapter Development Jose Vazquez at vazquez@deltau.org. Submit GSI fundraising dollars online via the GSI Fundraising Form or by sending a check to International Headquarters.
8. Service
Aspiration
Chapter supports a local charitable partner and conducts an average of 15 hours of service per member per year.
Expectation
Chapter supports a local charitable partner and conducts an average of 10 hours of service per member per year.
Minimum
Chapter conducts an average of 5 hours of service per member per year.
*The deadline for this submission is June 1.
Service hours must be tracked by each chapter and submitted via the Service Hour Verification Form in the DU Portal.
Examples of service hour collection forms:
- Delta Upsilon Community Service Form Example (Word)
- Delta Upsilon Community Service Log Template Example (Excel)
9. Chapter GPA
Aspiration
Chapter's GPA meets or exceeds a 3.30 GPA.
Expectation
Chapter's GPA meets or exceeds a 3.05 GPA.
Minimum
Chapter's GPA meets or exceeds a 2.90 GPA
*If your university has not sent you your chapter’s grade report by June 1, please let DU staff know and submit the report as soon as you receive it.
Chapters must send fall and spring (or quarterly) grade reports to Director of Chapter Development Jose Vazquez at vazquez@deltau.org as soon as these reports are obtained by the chapter.
10. Advisory Support
Aspiration
Chapter has a Chapter Advisory Board with a total of eight members, including three who are in weekly contact with chapter leadership.
Expectation
Chapter has a Chapter Advisory Board with a total of five members, including one who is in weekly contact with chapter leadership.
Minimum
Chapter has a Chapter Advisory Board with a total of three members, including one who is in weekly contact with chapter leadership.
*The deadline for this submission is June 1.
An advisor should complete the Advisor Verification Form in the DU Portal.
Assessment Process
Chapters will be assessed annually at the conclusion of each academic year based on all available data and will be notified of their status by August 1. Each chapter's Advisory Board is responsible for submitting its advisor verification via the Delta Upsilon Portal. All other data points are submitted by undergraduates or compiled by the International Headquarters.
The annual review will place chapters in one of the three levels for each of the 10 Standards: Aspiration, Expectation, and Minimum. Certain Standards carry heavier weight in the evaluation process and not achieving the Expectation level in those Standards may necessitate a meeting with the Men of Merit Committee. The Standards of the CEP, GPA, Program Attendance, Membership, and Accounts Receivable may warrant an automatic meeting. Additionally, chapters noted as below minimum in any combination of six or more Standards may be assigned a member of the Men of Merit Committee and are required to follow their crafted Improvement Plan. Chapters found to be consistently below the Minimum level and showing little to no improvement may be recommended to the Delta Upsilon Board of Directors to examine their ability to continue as a Delta Upsilon chapter.
Please note: exceptions for not meeting the Expectation level in any given Standard may be granted by the Men of Merit Committee on a case-by-case basis.
Chapters demonstrating outstanding achievement in the Standards process will be recognized as noted below.
Improvement Plan & Assistance
If a chapter falls at the Minimum level or below for any chapter Standard, it must begin work on the noted Improvement Plan for that area within the first 30 days of the next academic year (if applicable). The chapter will work collaboratively with its International Headquarters staff liaison and Men of Merit Committee Mentor to ensure successful completion.
Recognition
All chapters meeting the Aspiration and Expectation levels of the Chapter Standards will be recognized annually at the Leadership Institute and in the fall issue of the Quarterly as a “Men of Merit Chapter”. Official letters of recognition will be shared with college and university officials. Additional awards and recognition will be conferred based upon individual Chapter Standards performance.
Men of Merit Committee
The Men of Merit Committee is comprised of Delta Upsilon staff, alumni, and interfraternal colleagues selected based on their expertise and knowledge of chapter operations and industry best practices. They receive formal training on the Men of Merit program and are charged with assessing chapters on both the annual and rotating timelines as described above.
Associate Chapters
As part of the Chapter Standards program, all new Delta Upsilon associate chapters will be established with substance-free housing, if applicable. They will remain in substance-free housing in perpetuity.
Questions
Questions about the Men of Merit program can be directed to menofmerit@deltau.org.