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A Parent's Guide to Phi Sig
phi sigma kappa
gamma triton chapter
Phi Sigma Kappa's Rich Tradition
Phi Sigma Kappa is an extraordinary Fraternity with a storied past and promising future. Since 1873, our members have been pioneers in business, law, medicine, politics, higher education, science, athletics and nearly every other field imaginable. Our brothers - both undergraduate and alumni - seek to serve as model citizens in a contemporary world that is not always conducive to fraternity membership. They seek to break down the stereotypes of falsehood and construct relationships built on honesty, respect and compassion.
With good reason, prospective members always ask "What makes Phi Sig special…what makes your Fraternity different?" Are we the largest national fraternity? No. Do we have the most initiated members? No. Is our Foundation the largest of all fraternities? No. The answer is simple: unquestionably, our members make us the dynamic, progressive organization that we are today.
For generations, our alumni members have served as role models to the future leaders of both our country and abroad. Whether they have drafted legislative policy in the U.S. Senate, performed scientific experiments aboard NASA's space shuttle, guided the world's largest and most successful company or conducted life-enhancing AIDS research, our members truly do make a difference in the world.
What are the Values of the Fraternity?
Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Character. The pursuit of Justice, Wisdom and Honor. Nearly 130 years after our founding at the University of Massachusetts, the Cardinal Principles of Phi Sigma Kappa remain an integral part of our daily lives. Membership in the Fraternity teaches us not only the benefits of being a fraternity man, but also the importance of being a better man. Learn more about our Cardinal Principles.
How Big is the Fraternity?
Locally, our chapter has a total of 65 members going into the Fall 2008 Semester. Nationally, Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity has been a long-time leader among Greek organizations. Augmented and strengthened by a merger with Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity in 1985, the Fraternity has 79 Chapters and colonies and a total membership of more than 118,000. For a list of our chapters visit the Grand Chapter Website.
How Will the Fraternity Affect My Son's Grades?
One of the biggest adjustments a new collegiate has to make is getting used to the time management and personal accountability required to be successful academically. Academics are emphasized from day one at Phi Sigma Kappa. Study hours, tutoring and brother mentoring are all present in the activities of the new member education program.
A commitment to scholastic excellence carries on well beyond initiation. Our Scholarship Chairman specifically is dedicated to each member's academic success. Help in academics is provided by utilizing our chapter's own road to academic success program and/or involvement in the University of South Carolina's established academic assistance programs.
In addition, with the number of members our chapter has, brothers in the same major can offer advice on the best path to graduation. Furthermore, studies show that Fraternity membership increases retention by 28% and that 70% of greek members graduate compared to only 50% of non-greek students. We are proud to boast that one is more likely to receive a higher GPA by joining our fraternity than by just living in the dorms.
How Much Does it all Cost?
Phi Sigma Kappa chapters charge membership dues in order to provide the most well rounded college experience possible for their members. Dues are not just money thrown away, our chapter dues go towards such programs as our housing fund, philanthropic events, membership development, charitable donations, and brotherhood activities. Our awards and accomplishments prove our immense involvement in community activities and commitment to every member. Dues vary by chapter, however payment plans are offered by our chapter.
Why Should my Son Join a Fraternity?
Fraternities serve a purpose not fulfilled by the University or by the dorms or by the apartments. It provides us, its members, with the opportunity to live and work together toward a common goal. Personal success in virtually all fields of endeavor requires the skills of living and working with others. Fraternities offer us the opportunities to develop these skills.
What is the History of Phi Sigma Kappa?
The Grand Chapter was organized in 1878, to tie alumni and undergraduates in a continuing relationship, and Charles Sumner Howe, an 1876 initiate, was elected its first Grand President (at the age of 20). Phi Sigma Kappa was adopted as the group's official name that same year-after four years of debate and the work of seven committees.
Originally, only one chapter was contemplated by the founders. And although the germ of expansion arrived early, its period of gestation consumed 13 years. As early as 1875 an inquiry had been received from a group at Maine Agricultural College, and a few years later there was an unexpected letter from the University of New Mexico-but nothing came of either "feeler." In 1878, John A. Cutter was inducted into the group, a man destined to have much to do with the preservation of the order's early records and with its expansion beyond the confines of the Massachusetts campus. He later attended Albany Medical College (in 1873 merged with Union College) and established a group, which became Beta Chapter. Cutter was also instrumental in the establishment of Gamma at Cornell. The transition to a national order was accomplished. These same early years saw the pin (or badge) adopted essentially as we know it today (1888); an induction ritual, which embodied the concept of universal brotherhood and expanded the order's horizons beyond Massachusetts, was written in 1890; and the first chapter out of the Northeast came into being at West Virginia University (1891).
Phi Sig's value to other campuses was as an organization offering something special and valuable to persons of varying backgrounds. It never was simply another fraternity to be invited. Founder Brooks, four years before his death in 1938.
Even Canadian campuses were not excluded in the thinking of those who carried new chapters in all directions shortly after the turn of the century. Rho Chapter was organized at Queen's College at Kingston, Ontario in 1903, and 17 other units were added during the decade. Under Cutter and Barrett's leadership, the national organization was strengthened, and work was begun among the alumni to support their continued interest in the Fraternity after graduation. The Greek system's uniqueness among the American organizations is based partly on this principle-the idea of continued involvement for members after undergraduate days. Phi Sigma Kappa was one of the early leaders in such efforts and remains one of the strongest alumni-oriented groups. If Founder Brooks' assessment of our purpose is true, then there is no end to the Fraternity's influence on its members, and its role in their lives-another vital part of our heritage To view our specific chapter history visit our history page.
What About Hazing?
Phi Sigma Kappa has taken a very strong stand on the issue of hazing, as well as other risk management issues. Our national policies state that any chapter caught hazing will be closed. Hazing practices and activities are a thing of the past, and have no relevance or purpose in today's fraternity environment, let alone in Phi Sigma Kappa itself. Phi Sigma Kappa has developed a new member education program completely hazing free and requires that each member reads and signs the Grand Chapter and University of South Carolina Statements on Hazing. The Fraternity mandates a new member education program that educates new members on their fraternal responsibilities as active members and prepares each man with the tools to immediately contribute to the success of the chapter and their personal lives. Visit University of South Carolina Greek life website for more on the University's hazing policy.
How Will the Fraternity Help My Son After Graduation?
Membership in Phi Sigma Kappa does not guarantee success in life. Rather, as a member of the Fraternity, the opportunity for success is available to you if you seek it out. Clearly, we cannot say that every member who wears the Brotherhood badge of Phi Sigma Kappa will gain instant status and affluence. The opportunity, however, is there and waiting. Membership in the Fraternity will offer leadership skills, personal and professional development, responsibility, alumni networking and life-long friendships. The spirit of "brotherhood" - while an intangible object - is definitely alive and well within the confines of our most sacred fraternity.
What is my Role as a Parent?
We encourage all of our parents to be as involved as possible and ask a lot of questions. This will likely be a growing experience for you and your son. There is a lot of information available on this website and our international website as well. In addition to those resources, members of Phi Sigma Kappa are more than happy to answer any other questions or concerns that you might have. We do encourage you more than anything to join our parent's newsletter to receive information about the most latest news and activities we are engaging in at the University of South Carolina. To join go to the top of the page and click on Join the Parents Mailing List on the left hand side.
"We believe that our fraternity exerts a powerful influence for good in national college life. The thought which lay in the minds of the founders was good. May our brothers never forget that the foundation for a useful and satisfying life must be thought - thought resulting in the visualization of a high ideal; and the determination to use all of one's strength of body, mind and soul for its realization."
-Founder Brooks, four years before his death in 1938
"Bigness was never one of our ideas," Big Chief Barrett said, admonishing a Convention that was getting starry-eyed over dozens of new expansion possibilities. And the principle has held; though Phi Sigma Kappa stands high among national orders, size alone has never been a major consideration or goal.
"Our Principles are more than words we repeat from rote memory, they are words to be incorporated into our daily life. When each of us went through the Ritual of Initiation, we pledged to uphold the standards and values set down by our Founders."
- Former Grand President Drury Bagwell
