RESPONSIBLE SIG

Until revoked by Sponsor pursuant to this Plan, this Plan applies to and binds the Fraternity and each Member on or after the effective date of this Plan, and the heirs, beneficiaries and assigns of any such person.  All such persons shall be deemed Parties to this Plan.

Except as provided for herein, this Plan applies to any legal or equitable Claim, Dispute, demand or controversy, in tort, in contract, under statute (local, state or federal), or alleging violation of any legal obligation, between persons bound by this Plan, or between a person bound by this Plan and any person or entity entitled to its benefits, which relates to, arises from, concerns or involves in any way any Claim or Dispute as defined, herein, arising out of or involving the Fraternity or any Fraternity activity.  This includes any direct or indirect claims for contribution or indemnity.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, the Plan does not apply to claims for workers compensation benefits or unemployment compensation benefits.

All disputes not otherwise settled by the Parties shall be finally and conclusively resolved under this Plan and the Rules.

This Plan may be amended by Sponsor at any time with thirty (30) days notice.  However, no amendment shall apply to a Dispute of which Sponsor had actual notice on the date of amendment.

Sponsor may amend the Rules at any time with thirty (30) days notice.  However, no amendment will be effective:

Until reasonable notice and acceptance of the amendments are made available on the Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity website to all members, or

As to a Claim or Dispute of which Sponsor had actual notice (by notice of intent to arbitrate or otherwise) on the date of amendment.

This Plan may be terminated by Sponsor at any time. However, termination shall not be effective:

Until 10 days after reasonable notice and acceptance of termination is given to Members; or via email to all undergraduate members and posting on the Alpha Sigma Phi website.

As to Claims or Disputes which arose prior to the date of termination.

The Act shall apply to this Plan, the Rules, and any proceedings under the Plan or the Rules, including any actions to compel, enforce, vacate or confirm proceedings, awards, orders of a Referee, or settlements under the Plan or the Rules.

Other than as expressly provided herein, or in the Rules, the substantive legal rights, remedies and defenses of all Parties are preserved.  In the case of arbitration, the arbitrator shall have the authority to determine and implement the applicable law and to order any and all relief, legal or equitable, including punitive damages, which a Party could obtain from a court of competent jurisdiction on the basis of the claims made in the Dispute.

Other than as expressly provided herein, or in the Rules, this Plan shall not be construed to grant additional substantive legal or contractual rights, remedies or defenses which would not be applied by a court of competent jurisdiction in the absence of the Plan.

Venue of the arbitration shall be in the County determined by the Sponsor with consideration given to the Chapter location.

This Plan shall apply to a Dispute pending before any local, state or federal administrative body unless prohibited by law.

Participation in any administrative proceeding by the Fraternity shall not affect the applicability of this Plan to any such dispute upon termination of the administrative proceedings. 

A finding, recommendation or decision by an administrative body on the merits of a dispute subject to this Plan shall have the same legal weight or effect under the Plan as it would in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Proceedings under the Plan shall be the exclusive, final and binding method by which Claims and Disputes are resolved.  Consequently, the institution of a proceeding under this Plan shall be a condition precedent to the initiation of any legal action (including action before an administrative tribunal with adjudicatory powers) against the Fraternity.

Effective Date
The effective date of this Plan is January 15, 2015.

Severability
The terms of this Plan and the Rules are severable.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision therein shall not affect the application of any other provision.  Where possible, consistent with the purposes of the Plan, any otherwise invalid provision of this Plan or the Rules may be reformed and, as reformed, enforced.

Assent
Accepting membership, becoming a new member or continued membership after the Effective Date of this Plan and any amendments constitutes consent by both the Member and the Fraternity to be bound by this Plan, both during the membership and after termination of membership.