Sigma Chi
Founded in the Fall of 2004, as Kappa Pi Omega, Sigma Chi[1] is the newest Fraternity in Knox's historically rich, strong and diverse Greek system. Their founding members were brought together by comparable fraternal, intellectual, and social ideals, and by the fact that they lived in Seymour 3B, except one in Seymour 3A, and played Ultimate, but realized that brotherhood flourishes best amongst those of differing talents, temperaments, and convictions. Sigma Chi continually strives to break traditional standards while embracing Knox's strong Greek history.
Contents
Academics
Sigma Chi has a strong emphasis on academic excellence, and offers tools to help members achieve their academic goals. Their commitment to scholastic achievement is apparent in their history. They require all of brothers to achieve a minimum GPA of 2.90. Sigma Chi posted a group GPA of 3.2, which was the highest GPA for a Greek organization on campus at the time. They support their academic ambitions by holding study sessions and offering tutoring to help fellow brothers realize their potential.
Community support
As a fraternity, we realize the importance of community and the opportunity a single person or group has to make a difference. With this in mind, we find it important to give back to the community. To promote a healthy community we require each member to contribute 10 hours of community service per term benefiting Knox and the surrounding Galesburg area. Members of Sigma Chi have helped run Knox' AIDS Awareness Week, helped with Safe Harbor Women's Shelter, and have donated hundreds of hours to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter individually.
Derby days
Sigma Chi at Knox, and around the world, organizes a week long philanthropy event, Derby Days. The brothers of Sigma Chi, along with all of the Sororities, participate in daily activities, the result being not only fundraising for philanthropy but also a strengthening of the bonds within the Greek community. As part of the first Knox Derby Days, this year they hosted a study night, organized a group service event, had fun and games at the Sigma Chi house, and enjoyed an off campus celebration for those involved. They view service not only as an opportunity to give something back to the surrounding community, but also as a chance to perpetuate the ideals and principles of Fraternal life.
Well-rounded lifestyle
They also strongly believe in the importance of a round lifestyle while at Knox, balancing academics with campus involvement, and taking time to relish the opportunities afforded to us by college life. It is the fusion of all these elements that makes for a complete college experience, and provides each member of the organization with a solid foundation upon which to build a successful life.
Chapter members participate in many organizations and teams on campus. The most recognizable is the Ultimate Frisbee team, but there are also many Sigs involved in theatre, and they control roughly 90% of the bass section in the Knox College Choir. Members also participate in Frisbee, Soccer, Wrestling, Cross-country, and track and field.
Parties
Sigma Chi is known for nudism, especially at the annual Anything But Clothes party, which was held at a fraternity for the first time in fall 2006. Other popular parties were the Nightshift, Mayhem, Pimpin' 'Round the World, Get Funked Up, Pajamarama, and Jock Jams.
Officers
Consul
Pro Consul
Risk Manager
Annotator
Oliver Horton Peter Walker 2010-2011
Quaestor
Magister
Recruitment Chairman
Historian
Social Chair
Kustos
The Sweetheart
The Spicy Liver
Controversy
At the time Sigma Chi was founded (then as KPO), the Inter-Fraternity Council opposed their petition. IFC contended that the process for establishing a new fraternity had been subverted and expedited for no reason. IFC also felt that allowing a group largely consisting of first years to establish a new fraternity during Fall Term flew in the face of the long established rule that prevents established fraternities from recruiting first-year men until Winter Term. The Administration disregarded the wishes of IFC and allowed Sigma Chi to proceed.
Sigma Chi's recruitment strategy has also created some controversy. Prior to Sigma Chi's founding, the established Fraternities did not practice "informal" or year-round recruiting, as the IFC bi-laws were read to be essentially forbidding this practice. As such, the other fraternities only pledged new members at the end of the formal Rush period. However, Sigma Chi took advantage of ambiguous language in the IFC bi-laws and began recruiting and pledging members year round. As of 2007, (thanks to one of the founding brothers, Randy Geary '09 who was elected IFC President for the '07-'08 academic year) IFC was working to clarify the rules so that all fraternities would be on a level playing field regarding recruitment.
