Chapter Information for Parents

Dear Parents and Family,

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website to further your search on the possibility of your son joining a fraternity. At Sigma Chi, we promote the involvement of parents before, during and after the process of joining Sigma Chi (sometimes referred to as “pledgeship”). Should a parent ever, at any point, have questions about Sigma Chi, we will be ready to openly discuss and assist you with your concerns. Our priorities are straightforward: faith, family, academics, and fraternity.

Sigma Chi has been a staple of the Ball State community since the summer of 1962. Sigma Chis (“Sigs”) participate in philanthropic and community service events. The “Epsilon Omega” chapter hosts two events annually that benefit the philanthropic organizations we align ourselves with: The Children’s Miracle Network and The Huntsman Cancer Institute. To date, Sigma Chi alumni and undergraduates have raised over $4.2 million dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network. The chapter also strives to sponsor superior scholars and promote that our members join other campus groups. Throughout the 2008-2009 school year, Sigma Chi achieved a cumulative GPA of a 2.889, outshining both the All Male Average (2.804) and the All Fraternity Average (2.799) at Ball State. It’s no surprise, then, that Sigma Chi has previously been selected as a “Chapter of Excellence” in the area of Scholarship by the Ball State Greek community.

Joining a campus organization such as Sigma Chi can have many benefits. It does, however, usually raise many questions from families on what “joining a fraternity” actually means. We’ll do our best to address these concerns for you.

Parents usually have questions/comments like:

Time Commitment

Joining Sigma Chi will require your son to participate in an eight-week new member program. This program focuses on academic development, campus involvement, educational programming, leadership development, and learning about the organization itself. During the eight-week program, your son is required to participate in these types of activities in order to become an active member. Ball State University and Sigma Chi both feel strongly about giving students ample time to focus on academics. In fact, the fraternity has incorporated daily study sessions to ensure its members keep this vision.

Costs

Financially speaking, each member is required to pay semester dues that cover national organization dues, programming, and social events. Additional costs might include t-shirts, dances, and any other social events. Currently, new member and active dues are $360 per semester.

Academics

The Sigma Chi Chapter requires new members to have a grade point average of 2.7 to join the organization. Once accepted as a member, each individual is responsible for maintaining their academics. New members are required to attend group study sessions on a daily basis. Active members who do not meet the minimum grade requirements for membership are also obligated to participate. Generally speaking, students who are in fraternities and sororities do better academically than those students who are not in Greek life. In Spring 2009, the all Greek GPA of a 2.968 surpassed the all BSU average of a 2.932. The all Greek GPA increased from a 2.917 last spring semester.

Hazing

Sigma Chi Fraternity, Ball State University, and the State of Indiana have strong anti-hazing policies, procedures, and laws put into place to protect all individuals. Each student is required to abide by these rules. If at anytime you suspect hazing activity please contact either the Ball State Greek Advisor or the Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor. Hazing is not tolerated at Sigma Chi.

from the Handbook for Student Organizations (Excerpted from the Ball State University Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Office of Student Rights and Community Standards) –p.18

APPENDIX D – Hazing Policy

A. Hazing by students, student organizations, groups or teams of Ball State University is prohibited. Hazing is defined as follows: Any mental or physical requirement, request, or obligation placed upon any person (including but not limited to a pledge, associate member, affiliate, prospective members, guest, initiate or team member) which could be harmful to the health and/or welfare of the person, or which is personally degrading to the individual involved, or which has an adverse effect on the academic progress of the person, or which violates any federal, state, or local laws or University policy. Individual acceptance of or acquiescence to any activity covered by the foregoing definition in no way validates or excuses the activity. Student groups may be required to certify in writing that they are in compliance with this policy.

B. Individual members of organizations, groups or teams who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action as provided in Section V of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Any organization which violates this policy is subject to sanctions which may be imposed by the coordinating body of which the organization is a constituent member, the Dean of the Division of Student Affairs or a designee, and/or the Student Activities Committee.

Alcohol and Social Activities

Linda J. Sax, director of the Cooperative Institutional Research, discussed college drinking and drug use in an article titled, “Our Incoming Students: What Are They Like?” The study, despite popular conception of increased drug and alcohol use in American youth, showed declines in drinking and smoking in college students today. “The percent of students reporting frequent or occasional beer drinking has fallen over the past several years to a record low 46.5 percent in 2002. Compare this to the all-time high of 73.7 percent in 1982 and the magnitude of this trend becomes clear. Consumption of wine and other liquor is also down in recent years. Furthermore, students report spending less time partying than ever, with 25.1 percent partying six or more hours per week in 2002, down from 36.8 percent in 1987.”

With that said, Sigma Chi encourages responsible behavior among its members. Sigma Chi and Ball State University are committed to educating students on risk management polices as well as making smart decisions when it comes to drug and alcohol consumption. The bottom line is that you do not have to drink to be in a fraternity. Most of the fraternity’s activities are done without alcohol. Sigma Chi respects every member’s choice.

Living in the chapter house

Sigma Chi’s Ball State Chapter is fortunate to have a privately owned house adjacent to the campus. Located at 830 West Riverside Avenue, the chapter house is managed by a housing corporation. The facility holds 46 members and features food services provided by a house cook. The two story building includes two- to three-member rooms with private bathrooms, wireless internet, cable TV, parking near campus, and an updated study lounge. Members are required and committed to living in the chapter house for two years. The cost of living is very comparable to living on campus.

Hopefully this information gets you started and introduced to Sigma Chi. Please feel free to contact us at anytime regarding any questions, comments, or concerns you might have. We are confident with the tremendous benefits that Sigma Chi can offer your son.

Adam Holderman

Chapter Advisor

acholdie4@yahoo.com

More questions? Please visit http://cms.bsu.edu/CampusLife/GreekLife/parents.aspx