5 Best Practices For Greek Member Background Checks

Background checks for sororities and fraternities are gaining popularity. Why? Many Greek organizations have been publicly criticized, put on probation, or kicked off campus due to violations. Usually, it’s just a few Greek members who commit these violations and ruin it for the rest of the students. This calls for preventative measures to be taken during recruitment. If all it takes is one bad apple to cause severe damage to a Greek letter organization’s reputation, then running thorough background checks on every potential new member is a must.

Background screening is a great way for any organization to reduce risks and protect its brand. However, Greek organizations are unique. This makes it essential for sororities and fraternities to make sure they’re choosing the right background screening solution for them. Following these five practices when choosing a background check vendor for your Greek organization will help you get the most out of your investment while staying compliant.

Choosing a Background Screening Vendor for Your GLO: Best Practices

Choose a Greek-specific background check program

Greek organizations have many different types of people to screen. For example, a background check for a prospective member and a background check for an employee who works for your organization are extremely different. Each requires its own unique set of services and compliance regulations. 

That’s why using a free background check site is a bad idea. These sites usually do not have much expertise and sacrifice quality for a quick buck. Ordering a background check from these sites could lead to all kinds of compliance issues and inaccuracies, which would do your organization more harm than good. 

It’s also a good idea to steer clear of background screening vendors who only offer a standard background check solution. They likely won’t run the right types of services on a student, which could lead to overspending and compliance issues.

Your best bet is to work with a background screening vendor who offers a Greek-specific solution. They will know the ins and outs of what Greek organizations need to stay compliant, maximize ROI, and provide a user-friendly experience for everyone.

Don’t forget about compliance

Some organizations make the mistake of thinking they can get away with doing the bare minimum when it comes to compliance and background checks. However, legal trouble resulting from faulty background checks usually ends up costing much more than it would to choose a compliance-focused screening vendor.

The best idea is to work with an FCRA-certified background check company with in-house compliance experts. Using their expertise, they will customize your screening solutions and ensure each individual joining your Greek organization gets the right background check. An FCRA-compliant background check vendor will also walk you through various and necessary forms and procedures that get you the information you need without getting into legal trouble. 

(P.S. they will also advise you that they are not a replacement for legal counsel and to check with your legal team before making decisions.)

Make the experience as simple as possible

It’s an eternal truth: people will pay more attention to one of your mistakes than twenty of your triumphs. That’s becoming more relevant in the digital age, too. Students who have spent their whole lives with mobile technology will quickly notice (and probably get annoyed by) outdated or inefficient technology.

To make a great first impression, make sure you work with a background check company who offers a fully-mobile and accessible platform that uses your Greek organization’s branding. A prospective member, staff applicant, or Board applicant should be able to click a button and order their background check within minutes, no matter where they are. It seems straightforward, but these little details make a world of difference when it comes to people’s opinions of your brand.

Make sure you’ll receive support when needed

Sometimes, things happen, and a background check isn’t exactly smooth sailing. In a Greek organization, you’re overseeing many different types of people and dealing with time-sensitive circumstances. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a background screening vendor whose dedication to support prepares them for anything.

Work with a background check provider with a knowledgeable and efficient support team. This means they will have dedicated client representatives ready to help organizational leaders with any issues, as well as applicant advocates who guide prospective members or job applicants through disputes. A great support team is an absolute must when it comes to ensuring a smooth background check process from start to finish.

Don’t let this be a process that slows you down

Okay, so all of that’s great, but… will we still be able to keep up with rush if we take all these safety measures? The answer is yes, you can! There are background screening vendors who have all of these features, plus quick implementation and turnaround times. 

When you choose the right background screening vendor, your Greek organization can set up your background check program in just a couple of weeks. Additionally, your recruits’ and applicants’ background check results may come back in as little as a day, keeping your fraternity or sorority up-to-speed. 

Let’s Make Your Search a Little Easier

There’s no need to spend hours and hours scanning the web for a background screening vendor who has all these features – we’ve got you covered. At InfoMart, we have a solution made just for Greek organizations. With over 3 decades of experience in the screening industry, a fully FCRA-certified support staff, and innovative technology, we’re ready to help your Greek organization stay safe.

Want more details? Reach out anytime to get a picture of what our background checks would look like for your Greek organization.

I would love to hear from you and connect; add me on LinkedIn to keep in touch!

About Tammy Cohen

Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record. To learn more about Tammy, visit www.tammycohen.com.

About InfoMart

InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.