| Sigma Chi | |
|---|---|
|
ΣΧ
|
|
| Founded | June 28, 1855 Miami University, Oxford, Ohio |
| Type | Leadership and Social |
| Scope | International |
| Motto | In Hoc Signo Vinces ("In This Sign You Shall Conquer") |
| Colors | Blue and Old Gold |
| Symbol | The White Cross |
| Flower | White Rose |
| Publication | The Magazine of Sigma Chi |
| Philanthropy | Children's Miracle Network and Huntsman Cancer Institute |
| Chapters | 240+ undergraduate, 126 alumni |
| Members | 300,000+ lifetime, 223,000+ living alumni 15,700+ undergraduate collegiate |
| Flag | |
| Headquarters | Evanston, Illinois, USA |
| Homepage | Sigma Chi Website |
Sigma Chi (ΣΧ) is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than 300,000 initiates. Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon. Sigma Chi has seven founding members: Benjamin Piatt Runkle, Thomas Cowan Bell, William Lewis Lockwood, Isaac M. Jordan, Daniel William Cooper, Franklin Howard Scobey, and James Parks Caldwell. Sigma Chi is a part of the Miami Triad, along with Beta Theta Pi and Phi Delta Theta.
The fraternity's official colors are blue and old gold, and its badge is a cross with emblems on each of its arms: crossed keys on the upper arm, an eagle's head on the left arm, seven gold stars and a pair of clasped hands on the lower arm, and a scroll on the right arm. In the center of the cross, on a black background, are the gold symbols for the Greek letters Sigma (Σ) and Chi (Χ). The left and right arms are connected.
Contents |
The founding of Sigma Chi began as the result of a disagreement over who would be elected Poet in the Erodelphian Literary Society of Miami University in Ohio.[1]
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 was nominated for the position. He was supported by five of his brothers, but four others (Caldwell, Jordan, Runkle, and Scobey) felt that he lacked the required poetic talent. These men instead chose to give their support to another man who was not a member of the fraternity. Bell and Cooper were not members of Erodelphian, but their support for the dissenting four was unequivocal. The chapter had twelve members and so was evenly divided. 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.[1]
The matter came to a head in February 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 DKE member 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.[1]
"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.[1]
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 expelled.[1]
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.[2] On June 28, 1855 (Commencement at Old Miami), the Sigma Phi Fraternity was founded.[3]
The theft of the Constitution, Ritual, Seals, and other records from Lockwood's room in Oxford in January 1856 necessitated the change of the name of the fraternity to Sigma Chi. Eventually, this action could have been forced upon the group as there was already a Sigma Phi Society in the collegiate world.
Much of Sigma Chi's heraldry is inspired by the legendary story of the Emperor Constantine from the Battle of Milvian Bridge against Maxentius. Notably, the White Cross and the motto "In Hoc Signo Vinces" are evidence of the Constantine link. Although many of the symbols of Sigma Chi relate to Christianity, Sigma Chi is not a religious or Christian fraternity.[4]
Harry St. John Dixon, a brother from the Psi Chapter at the University of Virginia who fought for the Confederacy, kept a record of all Sigma Chi's within his vicinity on the flyleaf of his diary during the American Civil War. He began planning a Confederate Army chapter of Sigma Chi with this information. On September 17, 1864 Dixon founded the Constantine Chapter of Sigma Chi during the Atlanta campaign with Harry Yerger, a brother from Mississippi who was in Dixon's division. Dixon stated the reasons for which the war-time chapter was created saying,
| “ | It was ascertained that a number of the fraternity were in the army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnston during the Atlanta campaign in 1864. It was conceded that the South was forever disunited from the general government, and it was assumed that all chapters throughout the South would cease to exist. Furthermore, it was deemed expedient that we brothers should know each other and our several commands for the purpose of relief in distress, and communication in a case of need, with our Northern brethren. In the ruin at hand my sentiment was to preserve the lofty principles typified by the White Cross. I know that I had no authority to establish a chapter of Sigma Chi outside a college, or at all; but, isolated as we were, I thought I should raise the standard and fix a rallying point. By doing so we should preserve the Order, whether we failed or not in our struggle for independence.[17] | ” |
Dixon and Yerger contacted all brothers listed in the diary who could come to the meeting. They met at night in a deserted log cabin a few miles southwest of Atlanta. Dixon later wrote,
The cabin was in a state of frightful dilapidation. Its rude walls and rafters were covered with soot and cobwebs, and the floor showed evidences of having been the resting place of sundry heaps of sheep.
Dixon was elected "Sigma" (president) and Yerger was elected "Chi" (vice president); the chapter also initiated two men. The only badge in the chapter was one Dixon had made from a silver half-dollar.
The last meeting was held New Year's Day 1865. The men at that meeting passed a resolution to pay a "tribute of respect" to the four brothers from the chapter who had died during the war. In May 1939 the Constantine Chapter Memorial was erected by Sigma Chi in memory of the Constantine Chapter and its members. The memorial is located on U.S. 41 in Clayton County, Georgia.[17]
In 1876, Emerson E. White became president of Purdue University. He declared that each applicant for admission must sign a pledge binding him "not to join or belong to any so-called Greek society or other college secret society" while attending Purdue. The Sigma Chi chapter, Delta Delta, was already established at the university and tried to convince the authorities of the rule's injustice. They sent petitions to the faculty and pleaded their case to the board of trustees, but they were unsuccessful.
In the fall of 1881, Thomas P. Hawley applied for admission to the university. Having already been initiated into Sigma Chi, Hawley refused to sign the pledge and was denied admission. Hawley took Purdue to court, but the judge, D.P. Vinton, ruled in favor of the faculty's decision. He also ruled, however, that the faculty had no right to deny Hawley from his classes based on the fraternity issue. The case soon found its way to the Indiana Supreme Court and on June 21, 1882 reversed Vinton's decision. This victory for Sigma Chi also allowed fraternities at Purdue.[18]
During the first half of the 20th century the General Fraternity expanded in many places. In 1899 the Fraternity adopted the flag design created by Henry V. Vinton. In 1901 the Grand Chapter approved the Fraternity's pledge pin. In 1903 at the Grand Chapter in Detroit the Board of Grand Trustees was established. In 1922 the Alpha Beta chapter at University of California, Berkeley held the "Channingway Derby" which led to the creation of the "Sigma Chi Derby Days."[19][20] Some of the awards created during this time include the Significant Sig Award in 1935 and the Order of Constantine in 1948.[21]
Coming into the beginning of the 20th Century Sigma Chi had installed a total of 74 chapters with 58 still active.[22] Having only established a centralized form of government in 1922, Sigma Chi was installing new chapters at a rate of about one chapter per year. On April 22, 1922 the Beta Omega chapter was installed at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario thus making Sigma Chi an international fraternity.[23]
The Sigma Chi Foundation was created on November 9, 1939 when the Sigma Chi Endowment Foundation was incorporated in Colorado. This educational endowment was first discussed in 1898 by alumni who wanted to assist undergraduates financially so they could finish their undergraduate studies.[23]
The world wars of the 20th century took the lives of 103 Sigs in World War I and 738 in World War II. A great resurgence in undergraduate activity followed World War II due to an increase in chapter memberships. This increase was caused by the men returning from military service who went back to school as well as the usual addition of new brothers.[23]
During World War II it became apparent to the General Fraternity officers that a few alumni as well as a few undergraduate chapters believed some of the prerequisites for membership in Sigma Chi were outdated and should be changed or eliminated. This led to the first discussions about membership within the fraternity that continued until early in 1970. Until this time, membership requirements had specified that a potential member must be a "bona fide white male student." After the first discussion in 1948 at the Grand Chapter in Seattle, the committee on Constitutional Amendments tabled the issue pending a further study of the problem to be reported to the 1950 Grand Chapter. The study showed that the issue was "very hot" on 13 campuses with Sigma Chi chapters and only "lukewarm" on a dozen other campuses.[24]
During this time period, the remaining four founders of Sigma Chi (of the original seven) all died; Daniel William Cooper was the last founder to die. Cooper's death led up to the Fraternity gaining one of its most priceless objects, Cooper's Sigma Phi badge. Cooper's body was sent by train to his final resting place in Pittsburgh, and the Beta Theta chapter at the University of Pittsburgh was given the privilege to administer his memorial service. On December 13, 1920, Cooper's body was conveyed to the Beta Theta chapter house where Beta Theta Consul Donald E. Walker removed Cooper's Sigma Phi Badge and replaced it with his own. Beta Theta Pro-Consul, Regis Toomey, sang the hymn "With Sacred Circle Broken" before Cooper was taken to his final resting place.[25]
Pledgeship is a probationary period for potential members before they are fully initiated into Sigma Chi. The pledge period differs in length from chapter to chapter but eight weeks is the recommended length by Headquarters.[26][27] The pledge period consists of intellectual exercises to cultivate potential members into becoming brothers; this includes learning the history of Sigma Chi, the operational workings of Sigma Chi, leadership skills, and allows the potential members to become an integral part of the chapter before initiation.[26]
Many aspects of the pledge program differ for each chapter, being set by that chapter under the direction of the Magister, though a large degree of continuity between chapters and "pledge classes" is maintained. All potential members in Sigma Chi are given a pledge pin and a Norman Shield. The pledge pin is a blue Norman Shield bearing the White Cross of Sigma Chi outlined in old gold.[28]
On January 31, 2005 Sigma Chi announced a zero-tolerance stance on the issue of hazing.[29] Sigma Chi defines hazing as "an act performed by any Sigma Chi or pledge member that results in an environment of servitude or in any way endangers or demeans a Sigma Chi or pledge member, regardless of that person's willingness to participate in that act."
Officers may vary from each chapter with some chapters not using certain positions and others creating new positions. The duties of each officer may vary from each chapter as well.
Officers may vary from each chapter/association with some chapters not using certain positions and others creating new positions. The duties of each officer may vary from each chapter as well. Many alumni chapters use the more common office titles such as: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
Grand Chapter is the supreme legislative body of Sigma Chi and convenes on odd numbered years. It is composed of one delegate from each active undergraduate chapter and alumni chapter, the Grand Consul and Past Grand Consuls, each being entitled to one vote. The Grand Chapter elects the officers of the Fraternity as well as alter or amend the Constitution, Statutes, and Executive Committee Regulations. It may grant or revoke charters as well as discipline any chapter, officer or member.[31] The most recent Sigma Chi Grand Chapter was held in Dallas, Texas on June 23-26, 2011.
The Grand Council meets every year when no Grand Chapter is held. The Grand Council consists of the Grand Officers, Past Grand Consuls, members of the Executive Committee, Grand Trustees, Grand Praetors, members of the Leadership Training Board and one undergraduate from each province. It may amend the Statutes or Executive Committee Regulations. The 2008 Grand Council was held in Skokie, Illinois.[31]
The Executive Committee meets at least four times a year. The Executive Committee consists of 11 members; Grand Consul, Grand Pro Consul, Grand Quaestor, the immediate Past Grand Consul, a Grand Trustee elected by the Board of Grand Trustees, a Grand Praetor elected by the Praetorial College, one alumnus member-at-large, two undergraduate representatives elected by the undergraduate delegates from each chapter, and the two most recent International Balfour Award winners. The committee regulates the budget and expenditures as well as assign duties to the International Headquarters staff.[31]
The Sigma Chi Foundation is a charitable and educational tax-exempt organization, separate and independent from the Fraternity, whose express purpose is to serve as an educational funding resource for the undergraduate and graduate student members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Through leadership initiatives such as Horizons, the Balfour Leadership Training Workshop, the Balfour Fellowship and the Cornerstone Mentor Program, the Sigma Chi Foundation is preparing our young men to be the value-centered leaders to guide us in the 21st century.
A Board of Governors of 18 members, headed by Chairman Chuck Watson and Vice Chairman James K. Morris, guide the Foundation. The Foundation president and CEO, former NASA astronaut Greg Harbaugh, is the Foundation's administrative officer based at the Peterson International Headquarters in Evanston, Ill.
The Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation is the Canadian counterpart of The Sigma Chi Foundation though it also serves independently of the Fraternity or the Sigma Chi Foundation. It was formed by Canadian Sigma Chi Alumni as a registered charitable foundation to provide a tax-effective way for Canadian Sigma Chi to support the educational pursuits of Canadian undergraduate chapters. The Canadian foundation provides one of the largest bursary scholarships among Greek letter organizations; the John W. Graham scholarship is valued at approximately $2,470 USD and is awarded annually to two undergraduate brothers of Canada's ten chapters.[32]
The Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation is guided by Chairman D. Timothy Sanderson and a Board of Directors with 14 alumni members.[33]
The Peterson Significant Chapter Award is given to chapters who show a strong performance in all areas of chapter operations. The award is named after Past Grand Consul J. Dwight Peterson.[34] Each winning chapter receives a large plaque and a contribution from the Sigma Chi Foundation towards the university's counseling or tutoring program.[35]
The International Balfour Award is given each year to one graduating senior who excels the most in four criteria; scholarship, character, Fraternity service and campus leadership. Each chapter nominates a graduating senior to run in the province. The Grand Praetor selects the province winner who then runs against all the other nominees from each province. The Grand Pro Consul then heads a committee of five of other officers who select three finalists to be interviewed at the Grand Chapter or Leadership Training Workshop. The winner of the award receives a Balfour Award Key, certificates for himself and his chapter, and free Life Loyal Sig membership. He will also serve on the Sigma Chi International Executive Committee, the fraternity's Board of Directors, for two years.[34][35]
The Significant Sig Award is given to a brother who has excelled greatly in their field of study or occupation. The award was introduced in 1935 by Past Grand Consul L.A. Downs at the Grand Chapter banquet in Seattle. The first seven awards were given to George Ade, Roy Chapman Andrews, John T. McCutcheon, Chase S. Osborn, James Wallington, F. Dudleigh Vernor, and Samuel P. Cowley.[36]
The Order of Constantine is awarded to alumni members who have devoted long and distinguished service to the Fraternity. To become a candidate the alumnus must be nominated by at least five brothers with at least three being in the Order already. Most alumni selected have contributed more than 20 years of service.[36][37]
The Semi-Century Sig Award is given to brothers who have been active in the fraternity for 50 years or more.[36]
As a general rule, each undergraduate chapter elects a female associated with the chapter as the chapter sweetheart. At each Grand Chapter, the fraternity chooses a Sweetheart from one chapter to be the International Sweetheart of Sigma Chi for two years. The International Sweetheart Award is presented based on personality, character, campus involvement, Sigma Chi activities, general accomplishments, poise, and grace. Each nominee must be the sweetheart of an undergraduate chapter for the year nominated and a student at the nominating chapter's university.[38] The first International Sweetheart of Sigma Chi was Barbara Tanner, a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta.[39][40] The current Sigma Chi International Sweetheart is Sydney Binnington from the University of Western Ontario.[41]
Some notable Sigma Chi Sweethearts from local chapters include Judy Garland at The Ohio State University[42] and Faye Dunaway at the University of Florida.[43]
The Military Service Recognition Pin recognizes honorably discharged veterans or currently serving members of the United States, Canada, and other nations respective armed forces who are in good standing with the Sigma Chi Fraternity. The pin consists of a single Norman-style sword thrust upward with a small Sigma Chi Norman Shield with a cross embossed upon it placed upon the lower end of the blade just above the hilt and is to be worn on the brother's lapel. The pin is a reminder that the White Cross that we wear is an emblem of sacrifice. The virtues displayed through one's service to their country brings honor to Sigma Chi and all of its members. Brothers may nominate themselves or be nominated by one of their brothers. The pin and its design were suggested by Brother Anthony Dauer, Theta Beta '83, U.S. Navy (1986–1990). The final design was discussed and voted upon by the members of the Military Sigs group which can be found in the Sigma Chi Friendship Circle web site. This award was first presented at the 2007 Grand Chapter.[44][45]
The Magazine of Sigma Chi is the official quarterly publication for undergraduate and alumni brothers of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. First published in 1881 at Gettysburg College, Theta Chapter, as The Sigma Chi, the name was later changed to The Sigma Chi Quarterly and then to its current form. The Magazine was recognized by the Fraternity Communications Association (FCA) in 2010 with the Fred F. Yoder Award for Overall Excellence; Fred F. Yoder was assistant editor of Sigma Chi publications from 1957-1973 and editor from 1973-1997.
The FCA also recognized The Magazine in 2010 with a second-place award for feature story design.
The Norman Shield is the reference manual of the Fraternity. First compiled in 1929 by Arthur Vos, Jr. for the Beta Mu chapter at the University of Colorado at Boulder, it contains biographies of the founders and a history of the Fraternity and significant events; Sigma Chi writings, and the Constitution and Statutes. More topical is a list of famous and "Significant Sigs", explanations of chapter and Grand officers, and Sigma Chi events, governing bodies, and scholarships. The current edition is its 43rd, dated for the years 2009-11.
The Norman Shield has been recognized by the College Fraternity Editors' Association at least twice; in 2004 it was given an Award of Merit and in 2006 it was awarded First Place in the Manual category.[46][47]
As of 2007, Sigma Chi has 218,493 living brothers and as of 2010 there are 240 active undergraduate chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada.[48] Since 1855, Sigma Chi has initiated more than 300,000 men.
As of 2011, Sigma Chi has 149 alumni chapters around the world.[48]
|
|||||||||||