Sigma Chi
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History of Sigma Chi
The fundamental purpose of the Sigma Chi Fraternity is to cultivate an appreciation of and commitment to the ideals of friendship, justice and learning. These ideals and objectives have been at the heart of Sigma Chi since its founding by seven men at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on June 28,1855. These seven men believed that the principles they professed were imperfectly realized in other fraternal organizations. Although this vision of Sigma Chi was based upon the notion of shared ideals, they believed that true brotherhood would thrive best among men of different temperaments, talents and convictions. Our guiding principles, unchanged for almost 150 years, continue to define the essence of Sigma Chi.
The Founding of Sigma Chi
The founding of Sigma Chi came as the result of a disagreement over who would be named Poet in the Erodelphian Literary Society of old Miami University in Ohio.
Several members of Miami University's Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter (of which all but one of Sigma Chi's Founders were members) were also members of the Erodelphian Literary Society. In the fall of 1854 this society was to pick its Poet, and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon (a "Deke") wanted the position. He was supported by five of his brothers, but four others (Caldwell, Jordan, Runkle, and Scobey) felt that he lacked poetic talent. These men instead chose to give their support to another man who was not a Deke. Bell and Cooper were not members of Erodelphian, but their support for the dissenting four was unequivocal.
In 1854 Delta Kappa Epsilon at Miami University had 12 members, so the disagreement over who to support as Poet evenly divided the chapter. Other differences might have been forgotten, but both sides saw this conflict as a matter of principle and over the next few months there came a distancing of their friendship.
The matter finally came to a head in February of 1855, when, in an attempt to seal the rift, Runkle and his companions planned a dinner for their brothers. The feast was prepared, and the table was set, but only one of the men who supported the Deke as poet arrived, Whitelaw Reid. With him Reid brought a stranger. The six learned that the stranger was an alumnus of DKE from a nearby town.
Founders of Sigma Chi"My name is Minor Millikin; I live in Hamilton," said the man. "I am a man of few words." Reid had told Millikin his side of the dispute, and the two were present to lay down punishment on Runkle, Scobey, and the rest. The leaders of the rebellion (Runkle and Scobey) were to be expelled from the fraternity. The other four, after being properly chastised, would be allowed to stay a part of the group.
At the announcement of the punishment Runkle stepped forward. He pulled off his Deke pin, tossed it to the table, and said, "I didn't join this fraternity to be anyone's tool! And that, sir," addressing Millikin, "is my answer!" Runkle stalked from the room and his five brothers followed. One final chapter meeting was held, at which the chapter was six-to-six divided on the issue of expulsion. The parent chapter at Yale University was contacted, and all six men were formally excommunicated.
The six men soon associated themselves with William Lewis Lockwood, a student from New York who had not joined a fraternity. Lockwood's natural business acumen helped to organize the fraternity in its early years. On June 28th, 1855 (Commencement at Old Miami), the Sigma Phi Fraternity was founded.
The theft of the Constitution, Ritual, Seals and other records from Founder Lockwood's room in Oxford in January, 1856 necessitated the change of the name of the Fraternity to Sigma Chi.
Beta Pi Chapter
Beta Pi Chapter came to us in 1916 and is located in Corvallis, Oregon, at Oregon State University.
Philanthropy
Derby Days is the largest philanthropy that Sigma Chi holds every year. It is a week long process that supports the Miracle Network. Children Miracle Network, an alliance of 170 hospitals and health care facilities across the United States and Canada, generates funds for the children to treat all types of illnesses, regardless of its family's ability to pay. To date, Sigma Chi alumni and undergraduate chapters have raised more than $4.2 million for the Chidren's Miracle Network.
During this week long philanthropy, we raise money by having sororities participate in a penny drive, talent show/auction, powder puff game, car washes, and decorating rooms at the chapter house. This gets everyone involved towards the cause.
This year, in the fall of 2006, the Beta Pi chapter raised $11,069 during Derby Days, the largest philanthropy on the campus of Oregon State University, and their plans are to donate the money to Doernbecher's Children Hospital, who is a part of the Miracle Network.
Motto
In Hoc Signo Vinces This came from a story of Constantine. In English it means..."In this sign you will conquer"
Significant "Sig"
Sigma Chi has been an active fraternity for more than 150 years. Along the ways, the Sigma Chi Fraternity has recognized more than 1,100 brothers since the Significant Sig. Some of the Significant Sig's are Merlin Olsen, Mike Ditka, Mike Holmgren, former U.S. President Grover Cleveland, Woody Harrelson, David Letterman, and John Wayne.
Symbols and Colors
letters = ΣΧ
name = Sigma Chi
motto = In Hoc Signo Vinces ("In this sign, you will conquer.")
colors = Blue and Old Gold
symbol = The White Cross
flower = White Rose
founded = 28 June, 1855
birthplace = Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
chapters = 218
Official Chapter Website
Oregon State's Sigma Chi website.
Jordan Standard
The confidence of the Founders of Sigma Chi was based upon a belief that the principles which they professed and the ideal of the Fraternity which they sought were but imperfectly realized in the organizations by which they were surrounded
The standard with which the Fraternity started was declared by Isaac. M Jordan to be that of admitting no man to membership in Sigma Chi who is not belived to be.
- A Man of Good Character
- A Student of Fair Ability
- With Ambitious Purposes
- A Congenial Disposition
- Possessed of Good Morals
- Having a High Sense of Honor and
- A Deep Sense of Personal Responsibility
Pledgeship
To become a pledge the brothers of the fraternity must feel that you hold these seven virtues as described in the Jordan Standard. Once an official pledge, one must complete certain requirements before being considered for Initiation. These requirements include:
- Performing a community service of at least two hours.
- Taking pledge tests every week about the history of Sigma Chi
- Go on a "walk-out" with your pledge class
- Get "black books", or words of advice, from every brother in the house, five alumni, five from a different chapter and five active members that are living out of the chapter house.
- Participate during the Wednesday night pledge activities
- Maintain a 2.75 GPA for first quarter students and a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Join a club
- Every pledge must complete a house project with their big brother in the house
- They also make a paddle to give their big brother
All of these requirements have significant meaning to the house, the brothers and to each pledge that is willing to become part of the Sigma Chi brotherhood, which is coveted as one of the strongest fraternities in the nation.
Spirit of Sigma Chi
"The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders more than 140 years ago yet visible and alive today, is based on the theory that. . .
Friendship among members, sharing a common belief in an ideal,....
and possessing different temperaments, talents, and convictions,....
is superior to friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents, and convictions, and that. . .
Genuine friendship can be maintained without surrendering the principle of individuality or sacrificing one's personal judgement."
The Spirit embodies the Diversity of Sigma Chi which accepts all men with different strengths and different backgrounds
Sigma Chi Creed
I believe in all fairness, decency and good manners. I will endeavor to retain the spirit of youth. I will try to make my college, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and my own chapter more honored by all men and women and more beloved and honestly respected by our own brothers. I say these words in all sincerity; That Sigma Chi has given me favor and distinction; that the bond of our fellowship is reciprocal, that I will endeavor to so build myself and so conduct myself that I will ever be a credit to our faternity. ~George Ade, Purdue 1887
What is fraternity life like?
As a promoter of ideals, a fraternity is especially bound to see that it exerts no objectionable influences on those younger members and pledges it hopes will develop into future bearers of the standard. A pledge has the right to expect clean conversation and moral and gentlemanly behavior on the part of the initiates, and a wholesome atmosophere in the beta pi chapter. He should resent and question any attempt by some misguided companion to introduce him to ways which he knows are improper, and is thoroughly justified in speaking his mind on any moral issue and in declining to take part in any activity that he feels is objectionable.
Every pledge (a new person to the house who has not yet been initiated), no matter how smart, is more or less overwhelmed during the early days of his pledgeship. Though he may have known family members who were part of the Greek system, he will certainly be astonished by the different personalities within the chapter he pledges. There is the quick-tempered kids to the loving kids. The kids who havent gotten out of the highschool sport era to the smart nerdy kids. Living close to these young interesting men offers and opportunity that few get the chance to have. Most college men never fully appreciate the knowledge of human nature they gain from seeing these students at close range. Even fewer appreciate how their characters mold into good young adults. Fraternity life offers you friendships and experiences you dont know yet, its a new world and worth discovering.
