Sigma Chi (ΣΧ) International Fraternity is one of the largest North American socialfraternities. The fraternity has 244 active undergraduate chapters and 152 alumni chapters across the United States and Canada and has initiated over 380,000 members.[1] The fraternity was founded on June 28, 1855, atMiami University inOxford, Ohio, by members who split from theDelta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
Sigma Chi is divided into seven operational entities: the Sigma Chi Fraternity, the Sigma Chi Foundation, the Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation, the Risk Management Foundation, Constantine Capital Inc., the Blue and Gold Travel Services, and the newly organized Sigma Chi Leadership Institute.[2]
Like all fraternities, Sigma Chi has its own colors, insignia, and rituals. According to the fraternity's constitution, "the purpose of this fraternity shall be to cultivate and maintain the high ideals of friendship, justice, and learning upon which Sigma Chi was founded."
Several members of Miami University'sDelta Kappa Epsilon chapter (of which all but one of Sigma Chi's founders were members) were also members of Erodelphian. In the fall of 1854, the literary society was to elect its poet and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon was nominated for the position. He was supported by five of his brothers, but Caldwell, Jordan, Runkle, and Scobey supported another man who was not a member of the fraternity. Although Bell and Cooper were not members of Erodelphian, they had aligned themselves with the four dissenting members. The chapter had twelve members total and were evenly divided on the issue. Both sides saw this as a matter of principle and over the next few months their friendships became distanced.[3][4]
In February 1855, Runkle and his companions planned a dinner for their brothers in an attempt to seal the rift.Whitelaw Reid, one of the other brothers who supported the Delta Kappa Epsilon member as poet, was the only one to arrive. Reid brought a Delta Kappa Epsilon alumnus named Minor Millikin from a nearby town.[3] Reid had told Millikin his side of the dispute and they had arrived to punish the group for not supporting their Delta Kappa Epsilon brother. The leaders of the rebellion, Runkle and Scobey, were to be expelled from the fraternity. The other four would be allowed to stay in the fraternity.[3] Runkle resigned, and after the parent chapter atYale University was contacted, all six men were formally expelled.[3]
The six men decided to form their own fraternity along with Lockwood, a student from New York who had not joined a fraternity. On June 28, 1855, the organization was founded under the nameSigma Phi Fraternity.[5] Lockwood used his business training to help organize the fraternity in its early years.[6] The eventual theft of Sigma Phi's constitution, rituals, seals, and other records from Lockwood's room inOxford in January 1856 prompted them to change the name of the fraternity to Sigma Chi.[7] It is possible this action could have been forced upon the group as there was already aSigma Phi Society.
Much of Sigma Chi's heraldry was influenced by the legendary story of theEmperor Constantine from theBattle of Milvian Bridge againstMaxentius. Runkle believed that Constantine should be an inspiration for members of the fraternity, and such the vision of Constantine became the inspiration for the badge and the fraternity's public motto, "In hoc signo vinces."[8]
Benjamin Piatt Runkle (September 3, 1836 – June 28, 1916) was born inWest Liberty, Ohio. Runkle helped design the badge of Sigma Chi based on the story of Constantine and the vision of the Cross. Runkle was known for having a fierce pride and was suspended fromMiami University when he fought a member ofBeta Theta Pi for sneering at his badge. When theCivil War began Runkle joined theUnion Army. He was badly wounded at theBattle of Shiloh and left for dead on the battlefield. Runkle stayed in the army as a career and retired as amajor general. After his service in the Union Army he was ordained anEpiscopal priest. He was the only founder to serve as Grand Consul. He died on Sigma Chi's 61st birthday inOhio. He is buried inArlington National Cemetery inArlington County, Virginia.[9]
Thomas Cowan Bell (May 14, 1832 – February 3, 1919) was born nearDayton, Ohio. He was twenty-three years old when Sigma Chi was founded, second oldest of the founders. He graduated from Miami University in 1857 and began teaching. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army and rose to the rank oflieutenant. After the war he returned to his career in education, serving as the superintendent of schools in Nobles County, Minnesota as well as the principal and president of several preparatory and collegiate institutions in the Western United States. Bell died the day after attending the initiation ofAlpha Beta chapter atUniversity of California Berkeley on February 3, 1919. He is buried at thePresidio of San Francisco inSan Francisco National Cemetery in California.[10] Section OS, Row 43A, Grave 3.[11]
William Lewis Lockwood (October 31, 1836 – August 17, 1867) was born in New York City. He was the only founder who had not been a member ofDelta Kappa Epsilon. He was considered the "businessman" of the founders and managed the first chapter's funds and general operations, becoming the first treasurer of Sigma Chi. After graduating from Miami University in 1858 he moved back to New York and began work as a lawyer. He received serious wounds serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, from which he never fully recovered. He named his son after Franklin Howard Scobey.[12]
Isaac M. Jordan (May 5, 1835 – December 3, 1890) was born inMifflinburg, Pennsylvania[13] as Isaac Alfred Jordan.[14] His family later moved toOhio where Jordan met Benjamin Piatt Runkle and became close friends. After graduating from Miami University in 1857 he went on to graduate school, where he graduated in 1862. He then began work as an attorney and was elected to theUnited States Congress in 1882.[15] He proceeded to change his middle name, Alfred, to just the letter "M" to help distinguish himself from his brother and law partner, Jackson A. Jordan. He died in 1890 after accidentally falling down an elevator shaft while greeting a friend.[16] He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery inCincinnati, Ohio.[13]
Daniel William Cooper (September 2, 1830 – December 11, 1920) was born nearFredericktown, Ohio. Cooper was the oldest founder and was elected the first consul of Sigma Chi. After graduating from Miami University in 1857 he became aPresbyterian minister. Cooper's original Sigma Chi badge came into the possession of the Fraternity at the time of his death. It is pinned on every new Grand Consul at their installation. Cooper is buried at the Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pa.[17]
Franklin Howard Scobey (May 27, 1837 – July 22, 1888) was born inHamilton, Ohio. Scobey was considered The Spirit of Sigma Chi for being friendly with everybody and not just a select group of people.[18] After graduating from Miami University in 1858 he went on to graduate again in 1861 with a law degree. He worked as a journalist in his hometown until 1879 but went on to become a cattleman inKansas until 1882. Scobey then moved back to Ohio where he took up farming until his death. Never physically robust, Scobey was afflicted with hearing loss in his final years.[19]
James Parks Caldwell (March 27, 1841 – April 5, 1912) was born inMonroe, Ohio. By the age of thirteen Caldwell had completed all academics which could be offered at his local academy. He was then sent to Miami University with advanced credits. Caldwell was just fourteen at the time of the founding making him the youngest of the founders. After Caldwell graduated from Miami University in 1857 he practiced some law in Ohio but moved toMississippi to begin a career as an educator. When the Civil War broke out he joined theConfederate Army. During the war he was taken prisoner but later, due to the influence of General Benjamin Piatt Runkle, was offered freedom on the condition that he renounce his allegiance to the Confederacy. He rejected this offer and remained loyal to the south. He was later released, again due to the influence of General Runkle. After the war he moved back to Mississippi and was admitted to the bar. He moved toCalifornia in 1867 and practiced law. In 1875, he began to travel frequently practicing law and editing newspapers. He died inBiloxi, Mississippi where the latest issues of The Sigma Chi Quarterly were found in his room.[20]
Harry St. John Dixon, a brother from thePsi chapter at theUniversity of Virginia inCharlottesville, Virginia, who fought for theConfederacy, kept a record of all Sigma Chis within his vicinity on the flyleaf of his diary during theCivil War.[21] He began planning aConfederate Army chapter of Sigma Chi with this information. On September 17, 1864 Dixon founded theConstantine chapter of Sigma Chi during theAtlanta campaign with Harry Yerger, a brother fromMississippi 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.[22][23]
Dixon and Yerger contacted all brothers listed in the diary who could come to the meeting.[21] 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 asilver half-dollar.
The last meeting was heldNew 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 theConstantine chapter Memorial was erected by Sigma Chi in memory of theConstantine chapter and its members. The memorial is located onU.S. 41 inClayton County,Georgia.[22][23]
In 1876,Emerson E. White became president ofPurdue University. He required each applicant for admission to sign a pledge "not to join or belong to any so-calledGreek society or other collegesecret society" while attending the school. The Sigma Chi chapter at Purdue, which was already established at the university, sent petitions to the faculty and pleaded their case to theboard of trustees, but was unsuccessful in changing the rule.[24]
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 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 thefraternity issue. The case was brought to theIndiana Supreme Court, which reversed the decision on June 21, 1882. This victory for Sigma Chi also allowed other fraternities at Purdue and led to the Purdue president's resignation in 1883.[25]
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 inDetroit the Board of Grand Trustees was established. In 1922 theAlpha Beta chapter atUniversity of California, Berkeley held the "Channingway Derby" which led to the creation of the "Sigma Chi Derby Days".[26][27] Some of the awards created during this time include the Significant Sig Award in 1935 and the Order of Constantine in 1948.[28]
As of the beginning of the 20th century, Sigma Chi had installed a total of 74 chapters with 58 still active.[29] 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, theBeta Omega chapter was installed at theUniversity of Toronto inToronto, Ontario thus making Sigma Chi an international fraternity.[30]
The Sigma Chi Foundation was created on November 9, 1939, when the Sigma Chi Endowment Foundation was incorporated inColorado. This educational endowment was first discussed in 1898 by alumni who wanted to assist undergraduates financially so they could finish their undergraduate studies.[30]
The world wars of the 20th century took the lives of 103 Sigs inWorld War I and 738 inWorld 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 and the usual addition of new brothers.[30] 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 inSeattle, 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.[31]
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 inPittsburgh, and theBeta Theta chapter at theUniversity of Pittsburgh was given the privilege to administer his memorial service.
On December 13, 1920, Cooper's body was conveyed to theBeta 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.[32]
The badge of Sigma Chi is a white cross with white and black enamel. Two gold chains connect the two upper arms. Crossed keys are in the upper arm, an eagle's head lies in the left arm, and a scroll lies in its right arm. In the bottom arm lie two clasped hands and seven stars. If worn, the badge is to be slanted over the left shoulder, akin to how soldiers of Emperor Constantine pointed their blade.[8]
The seal of Sigma Chi is circular. On the outer edge is the name "Sigma Chi Fraternity", and at the bottom are the numbers "1855". In the middle lie seven stars and a seven-branched candlestick.
The crest of Sigma Chi is a blue Norman Shield with a white cross in its center. On top of the Norman Shield is a scroll and a crest of an eagle's head holding a key. Below it, the fraternity's public motto, "In hoc signo vinces", is placed on a scroll.[33]
Officers in undergraduate chapters mostly have titles derived fromImperial Rome. The top officers of each chapter are known as the Consul (president), Pro Consul (vice-president), Annotator (secretary), Quaestor (treasurer), Magister (pledge trainer), Kustos (sergeant-at-arms), Tribune (communications), Risk Manager, and Historian. Those titles are the primary officers common to all chapters. Chapters also have other positions, such as Social Chairman, Sports Chairman, Scholarship Chairman, House Manager, Recruitment Chairman, etc., plus other positions and titles varying from chapter to chapter.[citation needed]
Alumni chapter positions and duties may also vary from chapter to chapter. Alumni chapters use the more common office titles such as: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
The international organization uses similar Roman titles, typically with the prefix of "Grand". The Grand Consul is the international president of Sigma Chi. He presides over the Executive Committee and the Grand Chapter.
Grand Chapter is the supremelegislative 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.[34] The most recent Sigma Chi Grand Chapter was held in Toronto, Ontario on June 22–25, 2023.[35]
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 mayamend the Statutes or Executive Committee Regulations.[34]
The Executive Committee meets at least four times a year. The Executive Committee consists of 12 members; Grand Consul, Grand Pro Consul, Grand Quaestor, the immediate Past Grand Consul, a Grand Trustee elected by the Board of Grand Trustees, two Grand Praetors 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.[34]
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.
A Board of Governor governs the Foundation. The Foundation's President and CEO is Ashley Woods and the Foundation's offices are based in Evanston, Illinois.
The Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation is the Canadian counterpart of The Sigma Chi Foundation. It serves independently of both the fraternity and the American 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.[36] The Foundation is guided by a Chair and a Board of Directors of alumni members.[37]
The Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop (KTLW) is a three-day retreat held annually since 1947. Undergraduate members receive training for specific roles within their chapter. Alumni volunteers are also given mentorship training. The KTLW is named after the 64th Grand Consul of the Fraternity,Keith Krach.[38]
Horizons is a six-day workshop for undergraduate brothers. The program aims to create lifelong values-based leaders.[39]
Mission 365 is a recruitment workshop. Participants are taught how to "increase both the quality and quantity" of potential new members.[40]
The Journey Program isself-improvement training for undergraduate chapters. There are six Journey workshops, each with a specific aim to better one aspect of the chapter.[41]
The Sigma Chi Choices program and The Sigma Chi Crossroads Workshop both aim to combat drug and alcohol abuse and address mental health among members.[42]
Sigma Chi Lifeline is an online resource for those suffering from mental illness. The program aims to prevent suicide among college students by providing information and support for those affected by emotional and mental health issues.[42]
Derby Days is a series of charity events held by all Sigma Chi chapters. Throughout the course of a week, a participating chapter organizes and hosts a series of events and competitions among their campus' sororities. Money is raised through either donations, or through fundraising-type events. Hosting a Derby Days event is not mandatory for any chapter. A common event held across many campuses is the Derby Run, where brothers must wear derbies throughout the day, while sisters in participating sororities attempt to steal them. According to the International Fraternity's official website, the basic mission of Derby Days is to serve the community.[43] According to archival information at Sigma Chi International Headquarters, the first "Derby Day" event was held in 1916 at theUniversity of California-Berkeley. Then known as the "Channing Way Derby" because of the California-Berkeley chapter's location on Channing Way and College Avenue, the event spread to other chapters who created their own Derby Day.[44] The most money raised by any Sigma Chi chapter was theIota Psi chapter at Rutgers University in the fall of 2016. The brothers of theIota Psi chapter raised $300,007 with the help of the eight sororities at the University: Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Delta Tau, Phi Mu, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Kappa, and Alpha Gamma Delta. This money is all donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. $300,007 is the most money raised in a single event by any single Greek Organization in the world.
In honor of notable Sigma Chi alumni andNFL Hall of Fame inducteeMerlin Olsen, September 15 is recognized by the fraternity as the Merlin Olsen Day of Service. On this day, members of the fraternity are encouraged to volunteer to improve their communities.[43]
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) is Sigma Chi's suggested beneficiary. The organization was introduced to the fraternity by Olsen in 1992. Since then Sigma Chi alumni and undergraduate chapters have raised more than 6.9 million for CMNH. Every chapter has a CMNH affiliate within less than 200 miles, with each chapter donating to the nearest affiliated hospital.[43]
Huntsman Cancer Foundation/Huntsman Cancer Institute
TheHuntsman Cancer Institute (HCF/HCI) is Sigma Chi's preferred charitable partner. It was chosen at Sigma Chi's 150th anniversary celebration in 2005. The Huntsman Cancer Institute today is dedicated to researching the causes, treatments, and preventative methods of cancer. The institute was founded in 1995 by Sigma Chi alumnus, and founder of theHuntsman Corporation,Jon M. Huntsman Sr. Huntsman has donated more than 350 million dollars to the institute, and has encouraged his fellow brothers to contribute as well.[45] By 2023, Sigma Chi undergraduate chapters had raised over $21 million to support the Huntsman Cancer Institute and have raised their pledge to an additional $20 million, for a $31 total pledge. In calendar year 2023, Sigma Chi undergraduate chapters raised $2,711,368.[citation needed]
Sigma Chi gives out two undergraduate awards, The Peterson Significant Chapter Award, which is given to chapters who show a strong performance in all areas of chapter operations,[46][47] and The International Balfour Award, which is given each year to one graduating senior who excels in four criteria; scholarship,character, Fraternity service and campus leadership.[46][47]
The fraternity also gives out three alumni awards: The Significant Sig Award is given to a member who has excelled greatly in his field of study or occupation. The first seven Significant Sig awards were given toGeorge Ade,Roy Chapman Andrews,John T. McCutcheon,Chase S. Osborn, James Wallington, F. Dudleigh Vernor, and Samuel P. Cowley.[48] The Order of Constantine is awarded to alumni members who have devoted long and distinguished service to the Fraternity.[48][49] The Semi-Century Sig Award is given to brothers who have been active in the fraternity for 50 years or more.[48]
Most undergraduate chapters elect 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. Eachnominee must be the sweetheart of an undergraduate chapter for the year nominated and a student at the nominating chapter's university.[50]Judy Garland was a Sigma Chi Sweetheart from theOhio State University chapter andFaye Dunaway was a Sigma Chi Sweetheart from The University of Florida chapter.[51]
The Military Service Recognition Pin recognizes honorably discharged veterans or currently serving members of the 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 thehilt and is to be worn on the brother's lapel. The Military service pin concept and design was created by Life Loyal Sig Anthony Dauer Theta Beta 1993 and was first presented at the 2007 Grand Chapter.[52][53]
The Magazine of Sigma Chi is the official quarterly publication for undergraduate and alumni brothers of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. First published in 1881 atGettysburg College,Theta chapter, asThe Sigma Chi, publication eventually moved to Chicago and the name was changed toThe Sigma Chi Quarterly.[7] The name was later changed toThe Magazine of Sigma Chi
The Norman Shield is the reference manual of the Fraternity.[54] It was authorized by the 24th Grand Consul Herbert C. Arms at the 1924 Grand Chapter. It was first compiled in 1929 by Arthur Vos, Jr. and based on the booklet he prepared for theBeta Mu chapter at theUniversity of Colorado at Boulder which Vos indicated was based on the material contained in the 1922 Manual and Directory.[55] It contained biographies of the founders, significant alumni, a history of the Fraternity, the Constitution and Statutes, and other writings relevant to the fraternity.
In 1965 and 1967 respectively, the Sigma Chi chapters atStanford University inStanford, California andWhitman College inWalla Walla, Washington, disaffiliated from the national fraternity organization when they refused to abide by the whites-only membership policy of the national organization. The policy of the national organization was changed in 1971 to eliminate the racial discrimination.[60]
In 2004, a 19-year-oldUniversity of Oklahoma freshman was found dead in the Sigma Chi fraternity house. The university suspended its recognition of the Beta Kappa chapter. In 2006 the Beta Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi was reinstated at the University of Oklahoma.[citation needed]
The chapter atSan Jose State University inSan Jose, California found a member, Gregory Johnson, Jr., hanged in its basement on November 22, 2008. Ruled asuicide at the time, a group of activists in 2020 later publicized their concerns over what they believe to be an incomplete investigation of Johnson's death, citing the possibility of racist motivations.[61]
The chapter at theUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln was suspended for hazing and alcohol consumption violations in 2009. The hazing pledges endured included taking shots ofTabasco hot sauce and vodka until they vomited, they were ordered to do strenuous exercises while their "big brothers" threw objects at them, and one pledge was randomly chosen and was anally penetrated with a vibrating dildo by a hired female stripper during an initiation party. Eight members were arrested and charged with hazing and providing alcohol to minors.[62]
In 2012, the chapter at theUniversity of Alabama inTuscaloosa, Alabama was sued by a former pledge after he was severely beaten by fraternity members at a party that resulted in serious injuries, depression, and severe anxiety. The chapter was also cited for providing alcohol to underage people.[63]
The chapter at theUniversity of Dayton inDayton was suspended for three years in 2013 for damaging a store's property, urinating inside the store and exposing themselves to passersby.[64]
The chapter at theUniversity of Central Florida inOrlando was placed on suspension in 2013 after photos surfaced on social media of pledges being forced to consume alcohol and getting sick from over-consumption. Several other fraternities on campus were also accused of hazing and alcohol abuse with their pledges that same semester which led to the president of the university temporarily banning all Greek Life activities on campus.[66][67]
Three Sigma Chi members atJames Madison University inHarrisonburg, Virginia were expelled from the fraternity due to allegations of sexually assaulting a female student and distributing a recording of the incident. The members were banned from the campus after their graduation in 2014, and expelled from the fraternity immediately.[68]
The chapter at theWest Virginia University inMorgantown had six members arrested in 2014 and cited by the Morgantown police department for hazing pledges and facilitating underage drinking. After a party hosted by the fraternity, several members dropped off nineteen pledges, most of whom were intoxicated, at a random location far away from campus without their cellphones and wallets and told them to find their way back to their fraternity house on campus as part of a "team building" exercise.[69]
TheUniversity of Dayton inDayton permanently banned the fraternity in 2014 after a member’s death revealed the chapter had not been abiding by the parameters of its suspension.[70]
A Sigma Chi member atUtah State University inLogan was kicked out the fraternity in 2015 after being charged with two counts of rape and aggravated sexual assault.[71] The attacks are believed to have taken place at the fraternity house.[72]
The chapter atLouisiana State University inBaton Rouge was shut down in 2015 for repeatedly hazing pledges and illegal drug use in the fraternity house. Two months before the chapter closure a 21-year-old fraternity member died of aheroin overdose.[74][75]
The chapter at theUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga was suspended after the rape of a minor in 2016. The investigation uncovered 148 reports of sexual offenses over a 7 year period[76]
A former pledge at theUniversity of Arizona inTucson sued his chapter in 2016 after his fraternity brothers blamed him for the nonfatal overdose of a female party attendee.[77]
The chapter atFlorida Atlantic University inBoca Raton expelled a member in 2017 after he was found out to haveembezzled over $18,000 from the chapter funds. The reason the former brother embezzled the funds was to fund his heroin addiction.[78]
The chapter atFresno State University was suspended in 2019 due to underage drinking, property damage, noise complaints, and multiple physical assaults that resulted in serious injuries at their fraternity-sponsored party they promoted as "Cinco de Drinko", May 5. After learning of the incident, the university and Sigma Chi international headquarters placed the chapter on interim suspension.[79][80] The suspension was lifted by Fresno State on February 3, 2020.[79][81]
A former pledge at theUniversity of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) sued the fraternity for $1 million in 2020. While pledging the fraternity, he was ordered by fraternity members to excessively consume alcohol which led to alcohol poisoning. Also he was subject to other hazing activities that often led to humiliation and black outs. National leadership of the fraternity decided to suspend the UT Arlington chapter indefinitely.[82] In 2024, Sigma Chi returned to UT Arlington.[83]
In 2021, as part of an allegedly mandatory hazing event at theUniversity of Tennessee at Chattanooga chapter, 18-year-old freshman Dylan Johnson died as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Manslaughter charges were brought against the Sigma Chi organization itself, rather than any individuals. In response, the chapter dissolved and the case was suspended. MIT later settled with Johnson's family for 3.46 million dollars.[82][84]
A sexual assault was report toUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln campus police and on social media in August 2021 as having taken place at Sigma Chi inLincoln. Sigma Chi announced the chapter was being placed on "self-suspension" and the accused fraternity member ejected. The report came in during ongoing street protests against nearbyPhi Gamma Delta, where a sexual assault was reported a week prior.[85]
In January 2022,National Public Radio obtained a partial copy of a police report of a call by then-studentElizabeth Holmes on October 5, 2003, in which she said she had been sexually assaulted in the early hours of that morning at the Sigma Chi fraternity house atStanford University. Holmes would found the biotechnology start-up companyTheranos later that same year, and the alleged sexual assault came to light when she was on trial for fraud in her work at the company in 2021.[86]
In November 2024, the fraternity atIndiana University was issued a cease and desist for hazing violations.[87]
In March 2025, the fraternity at theUniversity of Central Florida was suspended and placed under investigation after an alleged hazing incident. An eye-witness reported to authorities that pledges were told to stand in front of cars while fraternity members intentionally drove into and hit them. According to the report, fraternity members were driving between 10 to 15 miles per hour before hitting pledges. The fraternity has a long history of disciplinary actions given by the university, counting eight just between 2015 and 2020.[88][89]
^Granda, Nathalia (August 31, 2019)."Fresno State suspends Sigma Chi fraternity".ABC30 Fresno. RetrievedOctober 25, 2019.The suspension will end Feb. 3, 2020, and the fraternity will be allowed to resume most activities if it satisfies conditions levied by the university, including completing a risk-management program.
