Sigma Chi (ΣΧ) is one of the oldest and biggest fraternities in North America, specially in the United States. The fraternity was founded in 1855 in Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; by several members who jumped ship from another fraternity (Delta Kappa Epsilon) following a minor dispute.
Today Sigma Chi has 244 chapters spread over Canada and the United States, and has initiated over 350,000 members. More impressively, the fraternity’s foundation has donated over $230,000 to help students with undergraduate scholarships. The organization is still growing, and you can be part of this esteemed social fraternity. We will show you how, just keep reading!
Why should I join Sigma Chi?
The fraternity is easily recognizable once you arrive to the Miami University campus as you will see their famous blue and yellow flag with a white cross in the middle. For existing members, it symbolizes pride as well as having a true bond with fellow fraternity brothers.
Referring to the Sigma Chi constitution, the main purpose of the fraternity is to cultivate and to maintain high standards in learning, friendship and justice. Once you are a brother of Sigma Chi, you are a brother for life.
Fellowship is the main reason most people join fraternities. It can be daunting to navigate a new life alone. Besides a solid system of elite brotherhood, members of Sigma Chi also enjoy a bunch of enriching activities and programs that are designed to create young leaders of the future. If you enjoy doing community, or philanthropic services, Sigma Chi also gives you the opportunity to help others and build a sense of humility.
How can you join Sigma Chi?
Throughout Sigma Chi, recruitment is a year-round process. Through this recruitment process, they seek the highest quality men on campus. As per the Jordan Statement, only the men who are of good character, fair ability, ambitious and friendly disposition will be admitted to the fraternity. Only gentlemen can become members of Sigma Chi.
What are the steps to join Sigma Chi?
Pledging is the only way a potential new member can become a member of Sigma Chi. The procedure to pledge includes the rush period, the potential new member receives an invitation to pledge, and the final stage is installation. The steps to join are as follows:
Recruitment
A prospective pledge or a rushee attends the rush parties. During the parties, he meets other fraternity men. He makes an expression of interest by asking fraternity members questions about any aspect of the fraternity. By visiting various fraternities, the prospective member evaluates each and determines which one to join. On deciding to join Sigma Chi, he can express interest in the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Bid Sessions
After the rush parties, the active members of the fraternity met to hold a bid session. During this session, every member who has expressed interest in pledging Sigma Chi is discussed by the chapter. If a Sigma Chi chapter decides to offer a bid to the rushee, the rushee will receive an invite to pledge at the time as agreed by the Interfraternity Council.
Invitation to Pledge (Bid)
A prospective member becomes a pledge of Sigma Chi from the moment he chooses to accept the bid from Sigma Chi Fraternity. As a pledge, he is also entitled to wear shirts etc., with the words “SIG” or “SIGMA CHI”.
Initiation Ceremony
After the close of the rush period, the pledge class is formally installed. After the initiation ceremony, a man officially becomes a pledge of Sigma Chi.
How much does it cost to pledge Sigma Chi?
Like most fraternities, each chapter of Sigma Chi has its own fee structure as it is determined by each chapter’s board of directors based on the usual operational costs. So the estimate cost to join Sigma Chi is as follows:
• General Fraternity Pledging Fee $90.00
• General Fraternity Initiation Fee $175.00
• General Fraternity Membership Fee $200.00 in $100.00 increments payable per semester.
Joining a fraternity can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your collegiate life.
Whether you are in search for friendship, personal development, or community service, you will be given all the necessary tools to succeed in whatever you wish to achieve in life.