Friendship
of a higher order
An integral part of the Sigma Chi
experience is the development and
maintenance of close and enduring
friendships. The pace of life today is
often too hurried to foster the
development of lasting friendships, and
the quality of people’s lives
suffers as a result. In college and
throughout life, Sigma Chi brothers share
in each others’ hopes and successes,
and provide strong arms of support when
they are needed most. Sigma Chi does not
aspire to replace relationships with
family or friends outside the Fraternity.
Indeed, friendships formed through Sigma
Chi will complement these existing
relationships with bonds and experiences
that would not exist outside the
fraternal experience. Sigma Chis develop
truly meaningful and enduring
relationships with brothers whom they
might never have met outside Sigma Chi.
These friendships do not develop by
accident; on the contrary, they are the
result of thoughtful and deliberate
process begun in pledgeship, maintained
by the activities of the chapter, and
given firm direction through the Ritual.
A code of values and conduct
Sigma Chi endeavors to pledge men of good
character, and through its educational
programs and fraternal activities,
hastens their development into
high-minded men and gentlemen. The ideals
and teachings that Sigma Chi expresses in
its public mottoes and secret ritual are
based upon time-honored values of
civilized society. Sigma Chi serves as a
guide and an inspiration for its brothers
as they develop and strive to uphold
their own ideals. Sigma Chi also aspires
to teach its members the importance of
responsibility and appropriate conduct at
all times. This objective serves not only
to improve the individual brother, but
advances the reputation of the entire
fraternity. This emphasis is exemplified
in the Sigma Chi Creed, which begins:
"I believe in fairness, decency, and
good manners." Sigma Chi requires
that its members conquer the temptation
to make insensitive statements or perform
irresponsible acts. Any form of
harassment or degradation of those inside
or outside the Fraternity is unacceptable
and constitutes behavior contrary to the
Ritual and stated objectives of Sigma
Chi, as is inconsiderate or demeaning
treatment of women, pledges, or other
people or organizations. A related aim of
Sigma Chi is to instill in its members
the value of service to others.
Activities may include fund-raisers for
charitable organizations-including the
Children’s Miracle Network, the
Fraternity’s suggested
beneficiary-or other service projects
within the chapter’s community.
These efforts provide needed service,
uphold the idealistic aims of the
Fraternity, expand the individual pledge
or brother’s perspective, and
enhance the reputation of Sigma Chi.
An ambitious education
Sigma Chi strives to complement
one’s college education. It
encourages high academic achievement, and
seeks to foster the desire and quest for
opportunities to learn beyond the
classroom. The Founders envisioned an
organization which was literary in
character, a tradition which Sigma Chi
retains today. A Sigma Chi chapter also
embodies true democracy more closely than
almost any other organization, and the
leadership and social skills brothers and
pledges develop often prove indispensable
after college. Any chapter officer can
attest to the complexities of planning
and executing activities such as a
campus-wide charity fund-raiser or an
alumni reunion. Finally, Sigma Chis learn
from each other because a chapter draws
together men whose experiences both
inside and outside collegiate life vary
considerably. |
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