| Sigma Phi | |
|---|---|
| ΣΦ | |
 | |
| Founded | March 4, 1827; 198 years ago (March 4, 1827) Union College |
| Type | Secret |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Former affiliation | NIC |
| Status | Active |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Esto Perpetua "Let it be perpetual" |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Azure and Argent |
| Publication | The Flame |
| Chapters | 7 |
| Headquarters | P.O. Box 57417 Tucson,Arizona 85732-7417 United States |
| Website | sigmaphi.org |
TheSigma Phi Society (ΣΦ) is an American college fraternity. Established in 1827 at Union College inSchenectady, New York, it was the second Greek letterfraternal organization founded in theUnited States. Sigma Phi was the first collegiate social fraternity to establish a chapter at another college, making it the first national fraternity. It was also a founding member of theNational Interfraternity Conference, now theNorth American Interfraternity Conference. It is part of theUnion Triad.
The Sigma Phi Society was formed as a secret society on March 4, 1827, on the campus ofUnion College inSchenectady, New York.[1][2] Its founders were Charles Thorn Cromwell, John Thomas Bowie,Thomas Fielder Bowie, and Thomas Sydenham Witherspoon.[1][2]
TheAlpha chapter of Sigma Phi at Union College has been in continuous operation since its founding, making it the oldest continuously running fraternity chapter in the United States.[3] In 1831,Beta of New York was established atHamilton College, making the society the first Greek fraternal organization in the United States to establish a chapter at another college, thus becoming the first national Greek letter organization in the United States.[4]
In 1834, Sigma Phi became the first fraternity to publish a catalogue of its membership.[1] The fraternity was incorporated in the State of New York in 1885 and was reincorporated in 1920.[1]
In 1901, Sigma Phi became a founding member of theNational Interfraternity Conference, now theNorth American Interfraternity Conference.[5]
Historically, the fraternity had been conservative in adding chapters.[1] In 1963, the fraternity had eleven active chapters, two inactive chapters, and 3,910 living members.[1]
Its headquarters is inTucson, Arizona.[6]
The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as asecret society.[7]
The Sigma Phi badge is a monogram with a jeweledΣ directly over aΦ that is either plain or chased.[1] It was designed by Charles N. Rowley, founder of theBeta of New York chapter.[8] In 1879,Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities stated that the badge was royal purple. Since 1879, the badge has been produced mainly in gold.[1] Its pledge pin is a light blue and white button.[1]
The society's colors are azure and argent (light blue and white).[1] Its motto isEsto Perpetua or "Let it be perpetual".[2] Its publication is theSigma PhiFlame, first published in 1920.[1]
In the following list, active chapters are indicated inbold and inactive chapters are initalics.[1][2][9][10]
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Alpha of Massachusetts atWilliams College was the first chapter to build its ownchapter house.[1] Today, some chapters own buildings on theNational Register of Historic Places, such as theThorsen House, owned by theAlpha of California chapter inBerkeley and designed byGreene and Greene.[7] TheAlpha of Wisconsin chapter house is theHarold C. Bradley House, aNational Historic Landmark designed in 1908 byLouis Sullivan.[11]
TheAlpha of Vermont chapter house, known as Sigma Phi Place, is a listed contributing building to the National Register of Historic Places'University Green Historic District.[12] It was designed in 1903 by architectMarcus T. Reynolds of Albany, New York, who was a member of theAlpha of Massachusetts chapter.[12] Located at 420 College Street, Sigma Phi Place was the first purpose-built fraternity house at the University of Vermont.[12] It is a three-story,Colonial Revival style brick house.[12] Its main entrance has a gable pedimented portico with four columns that have Corinthian capitals.[12]
Sigma Phi is governed by officers who are elected at an annual convention of chapter delegates.[1] Its national headquarters is inTucson, Arizona.[10]
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