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Phi Sigma Kappa is a fraternity devoted to three cardinal principles: the promotion of Brotherhood, the stimulation of Scholarship, and the development of Character. It was founded on March 15 1873 by Jabez William Clay, Frederick George Campbell, Joseph Franklin Barrett, Xenos Young Clark, William Penn Brooks, and Henry Hague at Massachusetts Agricultural College in Amherst (now the University of Massachusetts.) Phi Sigma Kappa merged with Phi Sigma Epsilon in 1985 in what was the largest merger in the fraternal world.

History

Massachusetts Agricultural College in Amherst-now the University of Massachusetts-is the setting for the founding of Phi Sigma Kappa. Among its other students in the early 1870s it had attracted six men of varied backgrounds, ages, abilities and goals in life, who saw the need for a new and different kind of society on campus. These, the Founders, banded together in their sophomore year (1873) to form a "society to promote morality, learning and social culture."

The Founding


Jabez William Clay

Frederick George Campbell

Joseph Franklin Barrett

Xenos Young Clark

William Penn Brooks

Henry Hague

The six founders were typically active college students, members of literary and academic societies and athletic groups, editors of campus publications. Hague and Brooks even ran the college store. On March 15, 1873, they met in secret. Brooks had already prepared a constitution and symbolism, and Hague had designed a ritual. The first meeting seemed destined to succeed, for the individuals all had done their work well. The ritual has been changed only six times since, and never drastically. The symbolism and esoteric structure have never been altered. Clay was elected president of the group-which for its first five years had no name. Its cryptic characters could not be pronounced, either, though Brooks recalled that outsiders referred to them as "T, double T, T upside-down."

The Grand Chapter

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. It is organized much like the Federal Government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Juidicial powers. Under the Laws of the State of Delaware, the legislative branch is comprised of officers from each chapter who serve as delegates at the General Convention. Depending on the size of a particular chapter, each has a number of votes at the Convention to decide on amendments to the Charter, the Constitution, and the Bylaws of the Fraternity. They also have the authority to veto policies made by the Grand Council. The executive branch is comprised of this Grand Council, which includes the Grand President and his Board of Directors. They serve as the main policy making body of the fraternity. The Judicial Power, known as the Court of Honor, is comprised of all living past Grand Chapter/Phi Sigma Epsilon Presidents. The presiding officer is the Chancellor, and the Court serves as an advisory committee to the Grand President and the Council, as well as the court of impeachment for any officer of the Fraternity.

Expansion

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 it is today; 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).

The Creed and Cardinal Principles

The 1934 Convention in Ann Arbor brought more changes for the fraternity. Brother Stewart W. Herman of Gettysburg wrote and presented the Creed, and Brother Ralph Watts of Massachusetts drafted and presented the Cardinal Principles. More than a half-century later they stand as Phi Sigma Kappa's heritage personified, as much a part of the Fraternity's individuality as any of its more ancient rituals and symbolism.

Phi Sigma Kappa Creed
In the firm conviction Fraternity demands of me a life of Faith and Purpose. I hereby solemnly declare My Faith in the wisdom and love of God; in the dignity and worth of my fellowmen; in the strength and beauty of true Fraternity; in the history and future of my Country; and in the traditions and program of my Alma Mater. Hencefoward, therefore, it shall be My Purpose to remain forever true to this, my fraternity's faith in me and in turn to preserve and promote courageously and unselfishly the chosen ideals of our mutual affection and common endeavor. To this end I dedicate My Life to the maintenance of this Faith and the pursuit of this Purpose so that the ideals of Phi Sigma Kappa, being embodied in me, may be fulfilled in my Character and Conduct, and be known and honored by all men. By these things I stand."

World War II

The 1938 Convention adopted the six-degree membership structure to honor the six Founders, especially as a tribute to Founder Brooks, who had died only a few weeks earlier. The first professional manager of the Fraternity was hired that same year, marking still another organizational response to growing need in a critical period. The hardships of World War I and the Great Depression were scarcely overcome when World War II arrived. The extraordinary efforts by which the Fraternity survived are another and longer story; the important fact is that Phi Sig did survive. The 1948 Convention in Boston marked the 75th anniversary of the founding. There were 52 active chapters; the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation had been established, primarily to reward good scholarship among brothers; and the Signet was guaranteed to all members for life under a plan that had few parallels in the Greek world at that time.

Turbulent Times

The post World War II era saw the Fraternity recover from the worst consequences of that crisis, after which Phi Sigma Kappa and all Greek organizations had to address issues related to membership restrictions, hazing, and the need for responsible programming which complements the educational mission of our host institutions. We have responded to these challenges by removing unwarranted restrictions on qualifications for membership, acting in concert with other NIC fraternities to eliminate hazing, and revising our membership education program to reflect its purpose of building a true appreciation of our fraternal principles. Still, another challenge to fraternities occurred with the anti-greek feeling which spread throughout the country in the late 1960s and 1970s. Membership in Greek organizations declined significantly during these years, and a number of chapters were lost.

The Merger

The merger of Phi Sigma Kappa with Phi Sigma Epsilon was first discussed in 1984. The two organizations were placed next to each other during conferences by virtue of the names' similarity, but discovered that they had more in common than the first two letters of their names. PSE's beliefs in justice, wisdom, and honor closely paralleled PSK's cardinal priciples of brotherhood, scholarship, and character; and many of their rituals shared similarities as well. It only seemed natural that the two groups come together, and on August 15, 1985, the merger was formalized. This event is truly one of the most important milestones in the history of Phi Sigma Kappa. Moreover, it was one of the largest mergers ever in the Greek world. At the Convention in 1987 in Long Beach, California, two years following the merger, the crest and flag were changed in order to incorporate the symbolism of Phi Sigma Epsilon.

The Fraternity Today

Many new challenges have faced Phi Sigma Kappa over the last decade, including risk management, the decline in interest in joining fraternities, and changes in the whole face of higher education. Differences in opinion led the fraternity to leave the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). After an absence from the NIC, Phi Sigma Kappa rejoined in 2006 and continue to play an active role in that organization's leadership. Phi Sig remains a vital force in the Greek system by maintaining national service projects, implementing leadership development programs, and running what is considered to be one of the best websites of any fraternity.

The Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation

The Foundation, incorporated as an entity separate from the Grand Chapter in 1947, serves as the financial backbone of the fraternity. It is facilitated by a Board of Trustees which appropriates funds for various programs and scholarships administered by the Grand Council. The money for this comes from member dues, pledges, and donations. The Foundation is immensely important to the growth and maintenance of the Franternity. Some of the programs it funds are Leadership School, Undergraduate Scholarships, the Grand Chapter website, and Regional Conclaves.

Degrees of Membership

  • First Degree: members of undergraduate chapters
  • Second Degree: members elected to symbolic offices
  • Third Degree: alumni and those intiated as graduates, former students, faculty, or honorary members
  • Fourth Degree: members appointed to an office by the Grand Council or Grand President
  • Fifth Degree: members elected to the Grand Council
  • Sixth Degree: members who have been elected Grand President

Flag

The official flag is 7x5 feet in dimension and includes three horizontal bars of equal height. The bottom bar is red and symbolizes First and Second Degree members, the foundation of the fraternity. The middle bar is silver for Second and Third Degree members, indicative of the field of fraternal service. The Greek letters ΦΣΚ are located in the center of this bar. The top bar, also red, commemorates Fifth and Sixth Degree members, who are those of Grand Chapter recognition. The silver and red tumbling T's logo inscribed in a triangle of silver is located at the left end of the upper bar.

Local Chapter Executive Board Structure

Each chapter's executive board is composed of six officers according to the ritual of Phi Sigma Kappa:

  • President - Presides over the entire chapter and other executive board members
  • Vice-President - Manages chapter committees
  • Secretary - Records the minutes and handles correspondence
  • Treasurer - Works with the chapter's finances
  • Sentinel - Guards and presides over chapter rituals
  • Inductor - Presides over the current class of associates

Other Officers & Committee Chairman

Depending on their size and needs, many chapters have the need for other offices:

  • Historian
  • Social Chairman
  • Alumni Chairman
  • Special Projects
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Service
  • Intramural Sports / Athletic Chairman
  • Public Relations
  • IFC Representative
  • Parliamentarian
  • Housing Manager
  • Risk Management Officer
  • Steward

Famous Phi Sigs:

Government

Religion

Science and Research

Journalism

Business and Industry

Drama, Radio, Television, and Film

Literature

Sports

Education

Active Chapters

For a complete list of all Phi Sigma Kappa chapters, see Chapter Roll on the Phi Sig Wiki.

Chapter NameFounding DateSchoolLocation
AlphaMarch 15, 1873University of MassachusettsAmherst, MA
Gamma1889Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
Iota1899Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ
Lambda1899George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
Nu1901Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA
Omicron1902Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyBoston, MA
Psi1907University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA
Alpha Deuteron1910University of IllinoisChampaign, IL
Beta Deuteron1910University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN
Epsilon Deuteron1915Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA
Kappa Deuteron1923Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, GA
Xi Deuteron1924University of TennesseeKnoxville, TN
Phi Deuteron1925University of KentuckyLexington, Ky
Epsilon Tau1926Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN
Gamma Epsilon1927Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO
Gamma Triton1929University of South CarolinaColumbia, SC
Delta Triton1930Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN
Epsilon Lambda1934Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI
Epsilon Mu1935University of Central ArkansasConway, AR
Epsilon Triton1936American UniversityWashington, DC
Epsilon Nu1938Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO
Sigma TritonMay 1, 1949Indiana UniversityBloomington, IN
Epsilon Phi1949University of WisconsinMilwaukee, WI
Beta Tetarton1950Kent State UniversityKent, OH
Delta Tetarton1951University of FloridaGainesville, FL
Nu Tetarton1959Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ
Chi Tetarton1961Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
Iota Pentaton1966California State UniversityFullerton, CA
Kappa Pentaton1966University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara, CA
Nu Pentaton1967Clarion University of PennsylvaniaClarion, PA
Xi Pentaton1967California State UniversityNorthridge, CA
Pi Pentaton1967Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb, IL
Sigma Epsilon1968Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI
Epsilon Hexaton1972Virginia Polytechnic InstituteBlacksburg, VA
Kappa Hexaton1974Stetson UniversityDeLand, FL
Mu Hexaton1976Radford UniversityRadford, VA
Tau Hexaton1983Monmouth CollegeLong Branch, IL
Upsilon Hexaton1984Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityMadison, NJ
Phi Hexaton1985Towson State UniversityTowson, MD
Beta Septaton1990Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
Eta Septaton1991California Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis Obispo, CA
Xi Septaton1995George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
Upsilon Septaton2005Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
Phi SeptatonApril 29, 2006Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY 

See also

External links

1873 establishments | Fraternity_Leadership_Association | United States student societies

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Phi Sigma Kappa".

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