A Note from the VPM
Dear Prospective
Rushee,
The Delta Zeta
Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota would like to extend a warm welcome to you
upon your arrival on campus. Whether you are an entering freshman or
a returning senior, Troy University is sure to give you an exciting
new year full of memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Sigma Alpha Iota is an international professional fraternity for women
in the field of music, and stands for the highest ideals in musicianship.
Sigma Alpha Iota is proud to be a leader in the promotion of American
music and musicians. It sponsors work in music therapy, in music for
the visually handicapped, and aids in community music programs through
its division Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. Through the Sigma
Alpha Iota Foundation, many scholarships are given to members and to
music students selected by colleges and music camps in the United States.
The Foundation also provides fraternity awards for outstanding achievements
and makes possible the affiliation of Sigma Alpha Iota with many musical
and international organization of merit. We are bound closely in friendship
because of our mutual goals and interests in music on this campus. Our
fraternity experience enables us to develop personally through the application
of high ideals in our lives, as well as professionally, through leadership
opportunities and community service.
We formally request your presence at out fall rushing activities. Tentative
dates have been set and are listed below. Please keep and open mind
about fraternity life. Many people assume horrible things about fraternities,
which are simply untrue. It is important that you distinguish our professional
fraternity from social sororities. The bond of sisterhood is much the
same, but our activities and monetary fees are vastly different. Before
you choose to affiliate on campus, we encourage you to inquire about
the opportunities we can offer you.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Jordan
Vice-President, Membership
jordanstephanie@hotmail.com
Membership
Training Requirements
Here are the requirements of training as listed in the Delta Zeta Chapter
Bylaws:
1. One who is studying towards a B.S., B.A., or a B.M.E. may be considered
for membership.
2. A proposed M.I.T. must have attended Troy University for at least
one semester at time of pledging.
3. A proposed M.I.T. must have at least 2 semesters of study left to
complete at Troy University at time of training, except by approval
of the Executive Board.
4. A proposed pledge must have a minimum overall grade point average,
based on a 4.0 scale, of 2.5 at the time of pledging and initiation.
5. A proposed M.I.T. must sign a release form allowing the Membership
Advisor to secure her grades.
6. A proposed M.I.T. must be enrolled in or have completed at least
one “MUS” course during the time of training.
7. A proposed M.I.T. cannot have been unsuccessfully pledged to any
other music organization in the previous academic year
8. Demonstrate a sincere interest in music.
9. Meet local Member-in-Training requirements.
10. Meet the financial obligations of Sigma Alpha Iota, both nationally
and locally.
11. Pass the national membership test.
12. Obtain a recommendation from a member of the music faculty at Troy
University.
Member-In-Training Fees (For Those Who Accept Bids)
Sigma Alpha Iota, both nationally and locally, takes pride in its ability
to keep member-in-training fees low. Because of our ever-evolving resourcefulness,
the fraternity has been able to allow people, regardless of financial
standing, to be able to participate in Sigma Alpha Iota. The current
fee for entrance into SAI is $250. The fee covers an entire year of
membership, your MIT supplies, your fraternity badge, initiation fee,
and training fee. If you have financial hardship, please contact the
local chapter treasurer so that you may set up a payment schedule.
***The Delta Zeta chapter requires that $25 of the $250 be paid within
two weeks of your acceptance of a bid. $25 will also be due at the time
of pinning, which occurs in early January. The remaining $200 must be
paid before taking the membership exam, which should occur in mid-February.
Optional Chapter Jersey Fee (Around $30.00 depending on name, etc.)
After you have been initiated, membership fees in SAI are $40 a semester
($80 a year). Occasionally, the sisterhood will order a t-shirt, but
members have the option to purchase the shirt.
Policies
Hazing Policies
Sigma Alpha Iota
Hazing is defined as “any action or situation that recklessly
or intentionally endangers mental or physical health or any action taken
or situation created which produces mental or physical discomfort embarrassment,
harassment, or ridicule.” Such activities and situations include
road trips, public wearing of apparel which is conspicuous and not normally
in good taste, engaging in public stunts, and late work sessions which
interfere with scholastic activities. Sigma Alpha Iota, with all members
of the Professional Fraternity Association, condemns the hazing of prospective
initiates. Sigma Alpha Iota recognizes and affirms that the pre-initiation
period is a time for education, inspiration, and dedication of the candidate,
and a time for the promotion of professionalism, ethics and dignity
through exposure to the privileges and responsibilities and responsibilities
of membership as exhibited by our college and alumnae chapters.
Troy University
Hazing is prohibited at Troy University. Hazing is any action taken
or situation related, whether on or off organizational premises, to
produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or
ridicule to any person. Such activities and situation include, but are
not limited to paddling in any from, scavenger hunts, road trips, deprivation
or humiliating activities, blindfolding, branding, calisthenics, running,
forced consumption of food, liquor or drugs or any other substances,
and other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual
or policy or the regulations and policies of Troy University. No organization
shall allow any of its pledges, members, associate members, or other
persons to participate in any hazing ceremony, activity or practice.
Hazing in any form is absolutely prohibited at Troy University. It is
also against the law in Alabama to participate or to allow participation
in any form of hazing. (Section 16 –1 – 23, Code of Alabama
– 1975)
Alcohol Policies
Sigma Alpha Iota
Sigma Alpha Iota, believing that all members deserve the inherent privilege
to develop their full potential through quality fraternity association,
the following have been adopted by the National executive Board as substance
abuse guidelines for chapters: 1) All chapter functions shall be free
of alcohol and of all controlled substances; 2) All chapters, members,
and guests must abide by federal, state, local, college-university laws
and regulations at all times; and 3) No chapter funds may be used to
purchase alcohol or controlled substances. Sigma Alpha Iota recognizes
and affirms that fraternity functions are to be a time for education,
music, inspiration and dedication and a time for the promotion of professionalism,
ethics and dignity through exposure to the privileges and responsibilities
of membership as exhibited by our college and alumnae chapters. Sigma
Alpha Iota, with all members of the Professional Fraternity Association,
condemns the use of alcohol and other prohibited substances at all fraternity
functions.
Troy University
Troy University does not, under any conditions, approve the use of alcoholic
beverages. The purchase, possession, or distribution of any alcoholic
beverage by any organization recognized by the university is prohibited.
Because of distribution control, keg beer is prohibited at any facility
used or occupied by any organization recognized by the university. Any
violation of this alcoholic beverage policy will result in a minimum
$200 fine for the first offense; a $500 fine for the second offense
and other disciplinary action to include possible revocation of recognition
as an approved organization. Additionally, the event will be terminated
immediately and any alcohol confiscated. Public display or the use of
alcoholic beverages in public areas of the campus is prohibited.
Sigma
Alpha Iota Terminology
Alumnae:
Former college chapter members.
Active Member: A member of the fraternity that participates
in all chapter activities.
Bid: A formal invitation to membership issued by the
fraternity
Badge (Pin): A piece of jewelry given to initiated
members, which is worn to identify their membership in and commitment
to Sigma Alpha Iota.
Chapter: A local group of the national organization.
SAI has both alumnae chapters and college chapters located across the
nation.
Founder: An original member of the fraternity. Founding
members formed the basic principles upon which the fraternity was created.
Fraternity: In the beginning, SAI was called a sorority.
In 1926, the word “fraternity” replaced “sorority.”
The change better reflects our professional goals and interaction.
Greek: A sorority or fraternity member.
Inactive Member: A member of the fraternity who no
longer participates in all chapter activities, but is still bonded to
the fraternity in purpose and sisterhood.
Initiation (Crossing): The ceremony during which MITs
become active, life-long members of Sigma Alpha Iota.
Intake: The period in which rushees interested in SAI
can receive a bid to join.
Legacy: A person whose parent, grandparent, or sibling
was an active member of SAI.
Member (Sister): A person who has completed the member-in-training
period and has been formally initiated into the fraternity
Member - In – Training (MIT): A woman who has
accepted an invitation to membership in the fraternity and who is working
toward full membership, but has not been initiated
Musicale: An event at which the sisterhood of the Delta
Zeta chapter performs a concert for the public.
Philanthropy: A common community service goal that
is shared by the chapter on either a local level or a national level.
Potential Member (Rushee): A lady who has not yet been
invited to membership in Sigma Alpha Iota, but who has shown interest
in joining.
Province: Commonly referred to as a region. The area
that a Province Officer oversees. Also, a group of chapters grouped
together to support and encourage one another.
Province Officer: A representative of the national
organization that is in charge of overseeing the practices of a chapter.
Province Weekend: A weekend event in which the chapters
located in a particular province meet to enjoy the bonds of sisterhood
and celebrate the purposes of Sigma Alpha Iota.
Ritual: The private ceremony of a Greek organization.
Also, the formal document that contains the secret principles and ideals
upon which the organization was founded. Only initiated members are
privy to the ritual; learning the ritual is usually a part of the initiation
ceremony. Ritual is sacred and unique to each inter/national organization
and is the common bond between all members of any sorority or fraternity,
regardless of when or where they were initiated.
Rush: The recruitment period for the fraternity.
Sorority: Greek letter organization for women.
Training: The period in which MITs receive formal education
about Sigma Alpha Iota and its purposes. |