Sigma Chi International Fraternity Creates New Policies To Enhance Health And Safety Measures Across Chapters

EVANSTON, Ill., Jan. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sigma Chi International Fraternity, one of the nation's largest collegiate fraternities, today announced five new policies aimed at improving the fraternal experience for its undergraduate members. These policy changes address important issues affecting the fraternal industry and are designed to help foster a safe and healthy environment at more than 240 Sigma Chi chapters around the world.

Over the past several years, alcohol abuse and hazing have been top concerns on college campuses across North America. Fraternities especially have been engulfed in controversies around these issues, and in 2017, media coverage was dominated by stories about dangerous behaviors at fraternal organizations.

Sigma Chi's Executive Committee recognized a need to make significant changes to the fraternity culture and took action. After completing an extensive review of its existing policies, the organization developed a plan to tackle the issues of alcohol abuse and hazing, and help protect members and pledges from encountering risky and potentially tragic situations.

Sigma Chi's policy changes and action steps include:

1. Reinforcement of its policy on the presence of alcohol in connection with recruitment and pledging events to reaffirm the position that alcohol is banned at these events.
2. Prohibition of hard alcohol in chapter facilities, effective Feb. 1, 2018.
3. Mandate that chapter pledge education programs not exceed a period of five weeks in duration, effective Aug. 1, 2018.
4. Elimination of alcohol at social events during the period when chapters are undergoing recruitment or pledging, effective Aug. 1, 2018.
5. Cap on the size of social events by limiting the number of guests that each undergraduate can bring to them to three people, effective Aug. 1, 2018.

With these changes, Sigma Chi continues to be a leader in encouraging change in the fraternal industry. Over the last four decades, the organization has employed several policy changes, tactics and strategies aimed at providing a safe, memorable and values-centric experience for its members.

"Alcohol abuse and hazing are two of the most critical issues facing the fraternal industry, and we're determined to create meaningful and lasting changes that will ultimately eliminate these unacceptable behaviors," said 70th Grand Consul (International President) Tommy Geddings Jr., SOUTH CAROLINA 1985, of Sigma Chi International Fraternity. "These policies are a step in the right direction and will help ensure that Sigma Chi is providing a safe and positive space that inspires growth and leadership for our members."

Sigma Chi International Fraternity was founded in 1855 upon the high-minded principles of friendship, justice and learning. It aims to develop values-based leaders committed to the betterment of character, campus and community.

For more information about the new policies, please visit http://sigmachi.org/policychanges.

About Sigma Chi International Fraternity
Sigma Chi is one of the largest collegiate fraternities with undergraduate chapters at 242 universities and colleges and more than 250,000 living alumni members. Sigma Chi provides a welcoming environment for young men of different temperaments, talents and convictions to enjoy a unique lifelong bond that extends far beyond college. Through world-class leadership training, extensive mentoring programs, and a strong focus on academic achievement, Sigma Chi sets itself apart as the preeminent collegiate leadership development organization, challenging its members to live by its core values and exemplify character-in-action™ in every aspect of their lives, and the lives of others.

SOURCE Sigma Chi International Fraternity