About Sigma Chi Fraternity: National Information

Sigma Chi Headquarters
P.O. Box 469
1714 Hinman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201-0469
(847) 869-3655

www.sigmachi.org

As stated on the Sigma Chi Headquarters Website [1]:

"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. 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. "

However our Fraternity's spirit is also reflected in many public pieces of literature [2].

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 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 judgment.

References:

[1] Sigma Chi International Headquarters. "Sigma Chi, About Us, What We Stand For."
Internet: http://www.sigmachi.org/article.phtml?iItemID=3 [4/29/2005]