Pledging

You will officially become a Pledge of Sigma Chi during the Pinning Ceremony.  Thereafter, you will engage in an 8-week pledge program designed with the following objectives in mind:

  • Personal development;
  • Teaching the History and Ideals of Sigma Chi;
  • Preparation for Initiation;
  • Passing the International Exam, and;
  • Integration into the chapter.

 

HAZING

In 1964, Justice Potter Stewart wrote in his concurring brief regarding a case before the Supreme Court, "I shall not…attempt…to define [pornography], but I know it when I see it."  Similarly, hazing is something that proponents attempt to define one way while most reasonable people "know it when [they] see it."

You know what hazing is and so do we. 

 

The General Fraternity and our Chapter have a strict, zero-tolerance policy against hazing.  Even for those "gray areas" we err on the side of caution and choose not to engage in any activity that might be construed as hazing.

Your pledge semester is designed with the following objectives:

  • Personal development;
  • Teaching the History and Ideals of Sigma Chi;
  • Preparation for Initiation;
  • Passing the International Exam, and;
  • Integration into the chapter.

 

You may be thinking, "Is Initiation some sort of ‘hell week’ where they use paddles and make us drink, etc.?"  Whereas some fraternities use their Initiations as a convoluted "Rite of Passage," our Initiation-or I-Week-is meant as a reward.  It is a culmination of the lessons and ideals conveyed to you throughout your pledge semester and is when you are introduced to our Ritual, thereby helping you understand the deeper meanings of Sigma Chi.  Our Ritual and Initiation are what bonds all Sigma Chis and is an experience that brothers will tell you is one of the best experiences of their lives.

 

ALCOHOL

Sigma Chi’s Policy: "It is the obligation of all Sigma Chis to realize and to effectively deal with the real and potential problems caused when alcohol use becomes alcohol abuse.  It is also the obligation of all chapters to serve alcohol only to individuals of legal age, both because it is illegal to do otherwise and because it promotes responsible use of alcohol."

 

There are some fraternities that may be impressed by one’s ability to beer-bong, but Sigma Chi is not one of them.  If you are looking for a place that has kegs and drunken parties throughout the week you’ll need to look elsewhere.  We do not encourage drinking nor have social events that are centered around alcohol.  Nonetheless, a few of our policies regarding alcohol deserve mention:

 

1) No social event will have a common source of alcohol;

2) If alcohol is to be served at an event it will only be by a licensed bartender and to attendees of legal drinking age;

3) The misuse of alcohol (and resulting behavior) is conduct unbecoming a Sigma Chi—a criterion for expulsion. 

4) It is also the responsibility of the chapter to hold brothers who misuse alcohol accountable for their actions and to provide encouragement/resources to improve.