Sigma Chi fraternity to re-establish chapter at URI

02/16/07 - The Sigma Chi fraternity is coming back to the University of Rhode Island after a nine-year hiatus, with aspirations to recruit leaders and role models. "We're trying to change what it means to be a fraternity and focus on leadership and development," John Dicks, associate director of Expansion for Sigma Chi, said. "I'm here for a month. My job is to identify as many good guys as we can."

There are various ways in which Dicks, a Sigma Chi alum, intends to recruit members. He plans to attract potential members through alumni, advertisements and recommendations. There will be a series of events open to the public, from rock climbing to information sessions, starting Feb. 15 and ending Feb. 24.

Dicks has facilitated the emergence of 10 other groups at various stages of the colonization process at other colleges. Most recently, Dicks went through the same process URI is experiencing at the University of New Mexico last fall.

Commenting on Sigma Chi's progress at URI, Dicks said, "We have nine guys I feel pretty comfortable with, and that's only after a week, so we're doing pretty well."

Within the first week of March, the first pledge class will start an eight-week "pledgeship" that all Sigma Chi members must go through. After the completion of this, the members will be moved to "colony member status," Dicks said.

Following Sigma Chi's recognition of the group's colony status, Dicks said, "it will take 12 to 14 months before the colony gets its charter." This is because the accreditation process requires forms and wants to ensure that the chapter is following the correct steps in becoming a fraternity.

The nine prospects so far include three sophomores and six freshmen, but Dicks would "love to get juniors and seniors."

"Quite frankly, it's a good thing for a senior to do because they can put their stamp on it," Dicks said.

Dicks has also been sending letters to URI faculty members encouraging them for names of students who exhibit qualities listed in the Jordan Charter, including good morals, character and ambition. The Jordan Charter is the standard that the nationally-recognized Sigma Chi has upheld since its inception.

There are currently 217 undergraduate chapters of Sigma Chi nationally, one of which is at Brown University.

An information session will be held in Room 354 in the Memorial Union on Feb. 18 and 20 at 6 p.m.