Our Policies

Upholding Our Core Values Every Step of the Way

ROOTED IN OUR CREED

Our Creed guides our actions and interactions, fostering a community where loyalty, respect, and support are the cornerstones of everything we do. Through our shared values, we uplift one another and create an environment where every sister thrives.

SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY FIRST

Our Risk Management and Anti-Hazing Policies are designed to protect every member, ensuring that all LKS events are safe, respectful, and in line with our values.

COMMITTED TO INCLUSIVITY

We celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity. We welcome all individuals who share our mission of elevating women in pharmacy, creating a sisterhood where everyone feels valued and empowered to lead.

STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Our policies are designed to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, ensuring that every member can thrive.

Guided by Our Creed

At Lambda Kappa Sigma, our creed is the cornerstone of our values and actions. It embodies our deepest beliefs and guides our interactions, fostering a community of respect, support, and understanding. We uphold the principles of loyalty, recognizing it as the highest expression of our commitment to one another. Our creed teaches us to honor the sovereignty of each individual, embrace diverse perspectives, and approach one another with empathy and openness.

We are reminded that self-awareness and humility are crucial; thus, we strive to be gentle critics of others while laughing at our own shortcomings. Our creed emphasizes the importance of finding joy and humor in our journey together, as well as valuing the success and happiness of our sisters as much as our own. By living out these principles, we nurture a fraternity where every member is supported, celebrated, and uplifted, ensuring that our shared mission and spirit continue to inspire us all.

Our Creed

Code of Conduct

All members of Lambda Kappa Sigma are required to agree to the terms of the Fraternity Code of Conduct annually. This commitment ensures that each member understands and upholds the standards and values of our organization throughout their affiliation.

Code of Conduct

Risk Management Policy

  • Alcohol and Drug Policy: As a professional organization, we uphold the highest standards of conduct in all our events and activities. We expect all members and chapters to fully understand and adhere to our Alcohol and Drug Policy, which mandate compliance with all applicable laws. This includes prohibiting underage drinking and the use of illegal substances, ensuring alcohol is served responsibly by licensed vendors or through a BYOB system, and avoiding bulk alcohol purchases and chapter-funded alcohol. We do not co-host events with alcohol providers and enforce strict limits on non-member attendance to ensure safety and legal compliance. All new member activities must be substance-free, and activities that encourage rapid alcohol consumption, such as drinking games, are strictly prohibited. Our commitment to professionalism means engaging in legal activities responsibly and maintaining a respectful and safe environment for all.
  • Additional Risk Management Policies:  To ensure the highest level of safety and risk management for all Lambda Kappa Sigma events, we require that all chapters submit an Event Planning Form at least 30 days prior to any event involving the following elements:
  • Alcohol will be present
  • A contract with a third party is required
  • Event requires transportation
  • Attendance will exceed three times the chapter size
  • Event is open to non-members
  • Any athletic event
  • Any event involving animals
  • Any event held on water (e.g., ice)
  • Event co-sponsored with another organization (e.g., Greek and Professional Organizations)
  • Event held in the past with an incident

Failure to submit the required form on time may result in fines or chapter suspension. The form must be reviewed and acknowledged by Headquarters to ensure compliance with our Risk Management Policy and Code of Conduct. Each missing or late event form will incur a fine. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines to maintain a safe and compliant environment for all.

Risk Management Policy

Anti-Hazing Policy

At Lambda Kappa Sigma, we are dedicated to maintaining a positive, respectful, and supportive environment for all our members. Hazing, defined as any activity, action, or situation that has the potential to cause mental, emotional, or physical harm, discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, is strictly prohibited. This applies regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate.

We value the dignity and well-being of every member and expect all individuals associated with Lambda Kappa Sigma to treat each other with respect. Hazing is fundamentally opposed to our core values and has no place in our organization.

  • Prohibited Activities Lambda Kappa Sigma does not condone or permit any actions that are demeaning, undignified, or harmful. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Forcing or encouraging the consumption of alcohol, food, or any other substances.
  • Activities that disorient, intimidate, or target specific members for specific tasks.
  • Scavenger hunts, treasure hunts, or any form of kidnapping.
  • Engaging in public stunts or wearing conspicuous apparel designed to embarrass.
  • Morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, including any sexual acts.
  • Physical punishment or paddling in any form.
  • Verbal abuse, interrogations, or threats.
  • Bullying, including cyberbullying, coercion, or shaming.
  • Creating excess fatigue or psychological shock.
  • Any actions not consistent with Lambda Kappa Sigma regulations, host institution policies, or applicable laws.
  • Reporting Hazing If you witness or are a victim of hazing, we urge you to report it immediately. The health and safety of our members are our highest priority. Reports can be made confidentially to our Headquarters by completing our “See Something, Say Something” Form. Every member or potential new member is expected to report hazing activities to ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
  • Official Statement on Usage of Paddles as Gifts Lambda Kappa Sigma acknowledges that the paddle is a symbol of hazing in the Greek Community. Paddles continue to be misused and used in hazing rituals today, and, although Lambda Kappa Sigma has not had any instances within our own organization as such, we stand in support of the Greek Community on this issue. By strictly prohibiting the purchase of paddles for decoration and their usage as gifts, LKS members come together in their support against hazing and lead by example. In furtherance of this position, LKS encourages the use of decorated triangles or other alternative symbols as gifts, thus creating something uniquely Lambda Kappa Sigma.
Statement on hazing

Non-Discrimination Membership Selection Policy

Lambda Kappa Sigma is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, creed, religious affiliation, disability, veteran status, national origin, or sexual orientation. While our organization is primarily focused on women in pharmacy, we do not restrict membership based on gender identity. Therefore, individuals who do not identify as women are welcome to join with the intent of supporting and elevating women in pharmacy. All members, regardless of gender, will be addressed as “sister” and must meet our high standards of character, academics, and leadership potential. As a women-centered organization, we seek members who share and embrace the collective values and experiences of our sisterhood.

Inclusion Philosophy

At Lambda Kappa Sigma, we celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each member brings to our organization. We believe that these differences, when rooted in care and understanding, enrich our sisterhood and make it stronger. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment means ensuring that every member feels valued and has a sense of belonging. We strive to advance an inclusive sisterhood through our initiatives, programs, policies, and organizational practices. Our goal is to provide equitable opportunities for personal and professional growth, building confidence and inspiring leadership among women. Lambda Kappa Sigma is dedicated to championing a culture of inclusion and belonging in all that we do.

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