Collegiate Chapters

This article is about collegiate chapters. For the article about Alumni Chapters, see Alumni Chapters.

Collegiate Chapters are chapters located at 4-year universities. There are also 28 inactive Collegiate Chapters. The size of active chapters ranges from 20 to 100 members, with an average chapter size of approximately 52. In order to remain active and in good standing, each chapter must send a delegate to the Grand Chapter Conference and submit all required dues and paperwork to the National Headquarters by the due date. Every active chapter is assigned to a Region.

List of Collegiate Chapters

Main article: List of Collegiate Chapters

Ideal Chapter Characteristics

The National Office defines an "Ideal Chapter" as meeting the following seven characteristics¹:

Scholarship

• Shows commitment to Phi Sigma Pi's purpose by programming an event that exhibits the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge through scholarship
• Plans and executes diverse scholarship events
• Utilizes campus resources
• 90% attendance at Chapter's featured event
• Demonstrates inter-committee collaboration
• Includes appropriate risk management

Leadership

• Shows commitment to Phi Sigma Pi's purpose by programming an event that exhibits the application of professional skills and the fostering of leadership qualities by promoting and advancing the welfare of humanity
• Plans and executes diverse leadership events
• Utilizes campus resources
• 90% attendance at Chapter's featured event
• Demonstrates inter-committee collaboration
• Includes appropriate risk management
• Supports National Philanthropy (Teach For America) and/or local philanthropy

Fellowship

• Shows commitment to Phi Sigma Pi's purpose by programming an event that exhibits the fostering non-discriminatory, fraternal fellowship within Phi Sigma Pi's ranks
• Plans and executes diverse fellowship events
• Utilizes campus resources
• 90% attendance at Chapter's featured event
• Demonstrates inter-committee collaboration
• Includes appropriate risk management

Recruitment/Initiation

• 90% chapter attendance at informational meetings, Pinning, and Induction
• Demonstrates inter-committee collaboration
• Incorporates risk management, including a presentation to the initiates
• Recruits at least 5% of all eligible prospectives at the university
• Retains 85% of initiate class (Pinning to Induction)
• Plans and executes a diverse schedule of recruitment/initiation events
• Performs The Ritual and ceremonies

Alumni Relations

• Demonstrates overall commitment to Alumni over the course of the semester/quarter
• Plans and executes at least one alumni-focused event per semester
• Corresponds with alumni at least once per semester
• Submits graduating senior information to National Headquarters
• Performs The Alumni Ritual for graduating seniors

Fundraising

• 90% Chapter attendance
• Demonstrates inter-committee collaboration
• Incorporates risk management
• Donates at least 5% of money raised specifically for chapter's use to either Subrosa Fund, Todd Tripod Scholarship, Rolla F. Wood Graduate Scholarship or Unrestricted Fund.

Administration

• Completes at least a four week officer transition program
• Demonstrates financial responsibility
• Sends delegate to Grand Chapter Conference
• Maintains regular communication with Region Consultant
• Maintains recognition with the university as a student organization
• Enforces national and local policies
• Establishes semesterly/quarterly goals and calendar

Naming Convention

Collegiate Chapters bear Greek letter designations, granted serially in order of establishment. The National Constitution Article IX, Section 4 sets out the method of naming Collegiate Chapters:

"The Collegiate Chapters shall be named in order of establishment, with the letters of the Greek alphabet being used serially, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and so on through the alphabet. The succeeding Collegiate Chapters shall be Alpha Alpha, Alpha Beta, and so on; then Beta Alpha, Beta Beta, and so on."

Of note, the Greek letter designations "Chi" and "Psi" were never used as Chapter names. Additionally several chapters have been founded out of chronological order typically due to unforeseen circumstances that delayed a chapter's induction. See: Beta, Omega, Beta Gamma, Epsilon Chi

Interesting Facts

Alpha Alpha was the only all female chapter, having been located at Converse College an all female college.

Reference

¹ Phi Sigma Pi National Website, Ideal Chapter Standards