Page 1 - Sigma Chi - Syracuse Winter 2018-19

The SALTINE SIG

Building the Alumni Big Brothers—The Time is Now

Future of By Phil Oldham ’66

Sigma Chi Editor | The Saltine Sig | poldham405@aol.com
As you read elsewhere in this issue of more about life after Comstock Avenue.
Anyone paying attention would The Saltine Sig, our fraternity system— Today’s Psi Psi undergrads could use
understand that the following state- and indeed, our own Psi Psi Chapter—is some help in preparing, which only we
ment needs no further explanation: under siege from both the outside and can provide. Hence, we are initiating the
the fraternity industry has faced within. Within our chapter there appears Psi Psi/Sigma Chi Alumni Big Brother
perhaps unparalleled pressure to be a disconnect between undergrads program.
throughout the last several years. and alumni. The result is that we are Very simply, we are looking to give our
From the since-debunked Rolling being guided by the detrimental actions undergrad brothers an opportunity to
Stone article to the horrific bus inci- of the few. It is time to turn complaints connect with a Psi Psi alumnus who
dent at the University of Oklahoma, into solutions. is in the profession they are pursuing,
and punctuated by the tragic loss Building short- and long-term benefits lives where they now live or where
of several undergraduate fraternity of being a Psi Psi/Sigma Chi needs to they hope to be, or simply shares
men due to alcohol-fueled hazing, be an “all hands on deck” effort with, interests.
fraternities have regularly—and most importantly, each of us tak-
rightfully—been put on notice that ing leadership and personal So that this is not just senior job-
the time to clean up our act is now. responsibility. hunting, we will connect with
second semester sopho-
Although none of the highest profile Our undergrads need to mores or first semester
incidents involved Sigma Chi, we take responsibility for the juniors—already settled
have not been immune to our share condition of, and what into college and ready
of problems, and 70 Grand Consul happens in, our 737 to declare their majors.
th
Tommy Geddings has become Comstock chapter house. Each undergrad would
known for steadying his focus on They are the keepers of a be able to reach out to
the moniker: Let’s fix the problem, heritage that belongs to Psi Psi alumni who have
not the blame. all 1,600 Psi Psis, and we volunteered to be Alumni
With that as the backdrop, Sigma alumni have an obligation Big Brothers. We would cre-
Chi International Fraternity leader- and an opportunity to help ate a handbook for how ABBs
ship resolved to do the right thing— guide our undergrad brothers to the can connect, support, and help
no matter how difficult—to raise the benefits of the Sigma Chi brotherhood, prepare undergrads for the advantages
standards of Sigma Chi to ensure from which they will profit in post-grad of Sigma Chi post-grad life.
our relevancy today and for genera- Sigma Chi life. This is a very special opportunity both
tions to come. Back in January, you should have received to give back and to enjoy connecting
At the end of 2017, the International an emailed invitation to become an and building a Sigma Chi life. As this is
Fraternity Executive Committee Alumni Big Brother (ABB) to our cur- to benefit our undergrad brothers, we
came together to devise reasonable rent and future Psi Psi undergrads. The encourage their input on what they feel
policy changes that would reshape job is simple, the reward significant. The they need and how to build a mutually
the fraternity experience. Launched immediate response proved we know beneficial connection.
in January 2018, Sigma Chi has and want to share the values of Sigma So, if you haven’t already, please reach
begun implementing these changes. Chi. For those who missed the email, out to me, or sign up on the psipsi.org
Focusing on a core cause of many of or as a second-chance reminder, here website, giving your connection points
the problems, we set the permanent is what our brothers signed up for, as (profession, company, location, and
ban of hard alcohol (alcohol above presented in the email: major interests) and share your ideas on
15 percent ABV) from all Sigma Chi The No. 1 reason for college and being the Psi Psi Facebook page.
facilities, and the prohibition on a Sigma Chi are the post-grad Sigma Chi
pledges and potential members advantages. As a Psi Psi alumnus, you I am proud to be a Sigma Chi, especially
at Psi Psi.
(continued on page four) can relate to undergrad life, yet you know

PSI PSI HOUSE CORPORATION AND ALUMNI CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI • WINTER 2019