The Sigma Chi Fraternity

Delta Theta Pledge Manual

A Statement About Hazing

To the Brothers in Training of Delta Theta:

It is my responsibility as the Magister of Delta Theta to enforce the Fraternity prohibition of “hazing and any activites that are embarrassing, trivial, deceptive, demeaning or contradictory to academic responsibilities or Sigma Chi ideals and principles.” Sigma Chi has a strict no hazing policy. Unlike at many Sigma Chi chapters and unlike almost every other fraternity here at UTC, Delta Theta abides by this policy. You will never be physically harmed in any way. In fact, no brother will ever lay a hand on you. Pledgeship is not easy and there will be trying times mentally, but I give you my word that I am trying with all my might to eliminate from Delta Theta everything that I consider as hazing…and I consider many things hazing that others probably would not. If you feel as if you are being hazed by the brotherhood or an individual brother at any time, first of all tell that brother or brothers to stop and then contact me IMMEDIATELY.

I will not stand for hazing of any sort to my pledges. (I consider hazing to be any of the following: being demeaned or belittled or performing acts of personal servitude, bringing things to brothers in order to get their signatures! and many more). I want to know about these things. I will not be angry at all if you call me and tell me about them. In fact, I will be more angry if I find out that hazing has occurred and you did not report it. Hazing is not the basis for true and real brotherhood. I mean this. The main reason why hazing is perpetuated is because those being hazed do not stand up for themselves or see it as a normal or necessary part of the Fraternity. Do not make this mistake. There is nothing normal or necessary about hazing. It is simply a coward’s tool used by weak minded men in an attempt to feel better about themselves by belittling others or simply a means by those same weak minded men to do to others what was done to them during their pledgeship. Do not stand for it. You are men. You are brothers in training, not scum and you will soon be brothers. Do not allow hazing of any kind.

By the same token if you are initiated never ever stoop to the level of hazing. It drags all of us down in our attempts to be men of faith, men of high character, men of high ambition and men of high ideals. It drags us down in our attempts to follow the ideals of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Never stain the White Cross through hazing, as demeaning pledges who will one day wear the Badge is the lowest of lows.

Greg Wrenn

CHARGE TO THE PLEDGE:

By accepting the Norman Shield (as the pledge pin of Sigma Chi is called) you have not only accepted an opportunity to become a member of a college fraternity, but you have also accepted a lifelong obligation. As a pledge in Sigma Chi, you are not expected to give up any of your personal rights, beliefs, or liberties, but are expected to maintain the high ideals and interpret the spirit of the Fraternity. The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the founders more than 150 years ago, which is based on the theory that friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents, and convictions; and that genuine friendship can be maintained without surrendering the principle of individuality or sacrificing one’s personal judgment.

The purpose of Sigma Chi from its founding has been to foster and develop high ideals, scholastic achievement, leadership characteristics, responsible citizenship, a well-rounded and responsible character, and brotherhood for purposeful living. As a pledge, you will be given a carefully planned course of instruction that is designed to aid in accomplishing this. Your pledgeship is a time of probation where you will learn about the General Fraternity and campus life while demonstrating that you are worthy to wear The White Cross of Sigma Chi.

You have been selected as a pledge of Sigma Chi because it was felt by the active members of our Chapter that you possessed the qualifications for membership that were stated by Isaac M. Jordan, one of the seven Founders of our Fraternity. Jordan cautioned that no man should be admitted to membership who is not believed to be: “A man of good character, a student of fair ability, with ambitious purpose, a congenial disposition, possessed of good morals, having a high sense of honor, and a deep sense of personal responsibilities.”

To accept membership in Sigma Chi is to assume grave responsibilities. You must feel that you have traits of character, superior elements of personality, strength of manhood, the conduct of a gentleman, and the ability to translate the high ideals of Sigma Chi into your own life if you desire to wear The White Cross. The decision is yours. To become a Sigma Chi you must accept these responsibilities.

Pledge Syllabus

Magister:Joe Johnson

Assistant Magister:Spike Harrison

Length:8 weeks – weeks with holidays from school will not count.

Purpose: 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.

Objective: To educate the potential brother in Sigma Chi before he joins the Fraternity and to grasp the meaning of Sigma Chi’s important elements. Also, to help the pledge better understand himself, others, his views about the world, faith and ideals; To help prepare the pledge to shape the Theta Epsilon chapter and the world.

Attendance: Pledges are required to attend all meetings, exercises, and other important events. Weekly meetings will be at the Sigma Chi House Sunday nights at 4:00 pm. Exceptions will be made in certain situations. It is the pledge’s responsibility to notify the magister if he’s going to be absent before the meeting.

Chapter Exams: There will be weekly exams during pledgeship. The minimum score for these exams is a 94. All chapter exam study guideswill be made by the pledge class president or annotator.

National Exam: The national exam will be given on March 28. The minimum score for this exam is an 80.The National Exam Study Guide can be found in the back of the Norman Shield on page 139. Any questions about the content of the National Exam should be directed to the Magister.

Pledge Schedule

DateEvent

-All Dates are subject to change

-Study hall will be every Monday/Wednesday at 8. Lupton Library 3rd Floor.

- January 31 Running out the doors and Formal Pinning

-Pledge Mission TBA

-February 1 Meeting 1

-February 8 Meeting 2

-February 14 Meeting 3

-February 20 Tri Provence

-February 21 Meeting 4

-February 28 Meeting 5, Meet Dean Sara

-March 14 Meeting 6

-March 21 Meeting 7

-March 28 Meeting 8, Dead period begins

-May 1-2 Sweetheart Formal

-May 3-8 Indoctrination Week

Other Expectations

Pledge pins worn as outlined on page 42 of The Norman Shield.
100% punctualattendance at pledge meetings and activities. (if you are going to be absent inform the Magister, or Assistant Magister ASAP this is mandatory no exceptions will be made)
Payment of all financial obligations owed to the Chapter and Headquarters.
Collection of signatures from all active brothers. This will start after the second meeting and continue on until I-Week. 5 signatures per week are required. (See schedule)
Mandatory Study time of 4 hours a week at the Lupton library as well as study hall Monday and Wednesday from 8 - 10. (signed in the book)
Passing weekly tests with 94% or higher.
Passing the National Exam with 80% or higher.
Participation in Pledge Class community service and fundraiser projects.
Participation in the Chapter’s Designated Driver Program.
Attendance at most all social functions and sporting events.
Completion of all I-Week assignments.
Participation in the Pledge Class retreat and visit to the Constantine Memorial.
Maintaining at least a 2.25 GPA. This would be the bare minimum. Academics are extremely important to Delta Theta.

Pledge Class Officers and Activities

Pledge Class Officers

President:

Responsible for everything the pledge class does or does not do, reports to the Magister weekly on the progress or lack thereof for the class and each individual member. Presides over the weekly pledge meetings. Communications link with the pledge class, the pledge Committee, and the Magister. Schedules and Coordinates meetings amongst the pledge class.

Vice President:

Fulfills the President’s duties when he is absent. Assists with organizing pledge meetings/activities outside of the weekly pledge meetings. Responsible for each pledge class officer’s fulfillment of their duties.

Philanthropy Chair:

Plans, organizes, and coordinates the pledge class fundraiser project and submits a summary and pictures of the project to the Chapter. It is important to remember that everyone is involved with and responsible for the fundraiser; it is merely the job of the fundraiser chair to coordinate all of these efforts.Plans, organizes, and coordinates the pledge class community service project and submits a summary and pictures of the project to the Chapter, school and local newspapers.

Required Pledge Class Projects:

1. Service Project- Each pledge class is required to complete some sort of community service project for an amount of time no less than 2 hours. Suggestions include cleaning roads for the Department of Transportation, cleaning rivers or streambeds, volunteering at a nursing home or for the local schools, or any other type of service. The entire pledge class must participate and you must have pictures of everyone doing the activity for the entire amount of time. If possible, submit pictures and information to campus and community newspapers. I would prefer, if possible that your community service involves some kind of direct interaction with those in need, such as volunteering at a food bank or with the boy scouts as opposed to just cleaning a highway. The project must be approved by the Pledge Committee before it will be acceptable.

2. Chapter/CommunityImprovement Project: The pledge class will be required to complete a chapter/community improvement project. This project’s purpose will be to improve the chapter and/or community. The purpose of this is to improve the chapter’s image in the community while also offering a beneficial service. Previous projects have included restoring fraternity property, philanthropy volunteering, and campus improvement. This project is TBD by the pledge committee.