The fundamental purpose of the Sigma Chi Fraternity is the cultivation, maintenance and accomplishment of the ideals of friendship, justice and learning within our membership.
In the pursuit of these high ideals, the Sigma Chi Fraternity is able to offer tremendous value in augmenting the collegiate experience and supporting the life journey of each of our members. We hope to assist brothers to become men of character, caring husbands, compassionate fathers, and community leaders.
Our guiding principles, unchanged for almost 150 years, continue to define the essence of Sigma Chi. Like all Greek organizations, Sigma Chi's ideals and purposes are set forth in a secret document called our Ritual. Sigma Chi also has a set of signs, symbols and heraldry which supports our teachings. There are also several public writings reinforcing our heritage (see right column).
The Jordan Standard
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 believed 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.
The Sigma Chi Creed
I believe in 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 Fraternity.
- George Ade, Purdue 1887
The Spirit of Sigma Chi
The spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders more than 145 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 judgment.
How The Process Works
UTC has a recruitment, or "rush," period designed to help you learn more about the Greek organizations on your campus. At UTC you can just visit each fraternity chapter as you like.
During Recruitment, talk with the members of every Greek organization to find out which is right for you. If both you and the Sigma Chi brothers at UTC agree that Sigma Chi is the fraternity for you, you'll be extended a "bid," or invitation to join.
If you accept your bid, you will enroll in a pledge, or educational program. The pledge program is designed to teach you more about Sigma Chi and teach the chapter more about you. The process of pledgeship consists of intellectual exercises, shared experiences, and cultivation of friendship of a higher ordeal - all aimed at enlisting worthy men and meaningful commitment of lifelong duration. The program is designed to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stimulating, and therefore hazing and degrading activities are prohibited.
The pledge period culminates with initiation, your first introduction to the teachings of our Ritual and the beginning of your life in Sigma Chi. After initiation, you will receive what we call P.I.T., or post-initiation training, designed to help you learn more about our ideals and ritual.
If you have any questions about the process, we invite and encourage you to e-mail us or contact our International Headquarters at (847) 869-3655
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Discover Sigma Chi
Recruitment
Lifelong Friendships
Ever hear that line from a parent or counselor that college is the place where you make friendships that will last a lifetime? Well, we believe that’s true. Friendships are a crucial component of the collegiate experience. Sigma Chi brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to assist each other in the attainment of high-minded goals—a friendship of a higher order that we call brotherhood.
Development of Character
Sigma Chi offers a host of social life rewards, but it does so in the context of good character. Integrity, sound judgment and loyalty are all lofty goals which sometimes find themselves contradictory to the impulses of collegiate life. Sigma Chi provides a continuum of character development that assists young men to develop the qualities of their character.
Enhancing the Learning Experience
Sigma Chi is an avenue for collegiate men to develop an appreciation of lifelong learning in order to gain knowledge, wisdom and character. This pursuit by our members has brought about a betterment of the individual, campus and community. Sigma Chi proudly rewards these brothers through scholarships and grants. Due to the generosity of the Sigma Chi Foundation, nearly $2.5 million is awarded annually to worthy brothers.
The fundamental purpose of the Sigma Chi Fraternity is the cultivation, maintenance and accomplishment of the ideals of friendship, justice and learning within our membership. In the pursuit of these high ideals, the Sigma Chi Fraternity is able to offer tremendous value in augmenting the collegiate experience and supporting the life journey of each of our members. We hope to assist brothers to become men of character, caring husbands, compassionate fathers, and community leaders.
