Sigma Chi - Gettysburg College

The BATTLEFIELD SIG theta Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at Gettysburg college Spring 2021 O n February 16, the House Corporation Board hosted a virtual chapter update and information session. e session was well- attended by close to 30 brothers. is group represented the undergraduate brothers, alumni from many generations of eta Chapter, chapter advisors, and Grand Trustees from the International Fraternity. Our current Consul, chapter advisor Richard Krisch '73, Grand Trustees Nathan Neal and Edward Pitt, and House Corporation President Sam Blum '15 provided detailed reports of campus life, national fraternity news, and our efforts as a chapter to support our undergraduates in a difficult time. We set out to provide updates on what the campus looked like during the COVID-19 pandemic; Consul Giacomo Coppola '22 explained that many of our alumni would barely recognize the campus today. e students are tested for COVID-19 weekly, they are denied access to the chapter house for social events or meeting purposes, and their recruitment efforts are severely inhibited by the restrictions in place from the administration. As our conversation progressed, it became clear that there are very tangible ways that the undergraduates could use the help of our alumni base. Our spring philanthropy event, Derby Days, will likely be restricted by the school. Because of these restrictions, we may not be able to raise as much money as we normally do. eta has raised upward of $60,000 for cancer research during single weeks. e undergraduates feel passionately about this cause and would greatly benefit from any assistance to continue their efforts. Seniors graduating in this environment are presented with a unique challenge in their job search. e HCB is working to open lines of communication between undergraduates and alumni in their respective industries. e first step we are taking is to get as many alumni as possible registered on our LinkedIn page. Next is to have alumni willing to answer emails and phone calls from undergraduates looking to navigate the professional world. Here is the link to our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/ groups/6785618/ Our chapter advisors and Grand Trustees provided information about the Greek world. Several chapters have been shut down due to COVID-19 violations, including one on Gettysburg's campus. Others have disassociated with their IFC organizations due to COVID-19-related disagreements. ankfully, and not surprisingly, our chapter is in good standing with the college. Our young men understand the rules and are working hard to adapt and get creative within the restrictions set by the college. ey currently struggle from the lack of in-person chapter events, but they constantly work to come up with ideas to keep the brotherhood strong in such difficult circumstances. In Hoc, Drew Edelson '18 edelsondrew@gmail.com T he first Sigma Chi memory that comes to mind for Mike Sass '10 is his initiation. Mike and his brothers worked hard to rebuild eta Chapter, and that was the day it all became official and their hard work paid off. As part of a chartering class, Mike was drawn to Sigma Chi's anti-hazing stance, advocation for men from different backgrounds to join, and the best resources available for networking and leadership development. His Sigma Chi experience shaped him into the person he is today and undoubtedly helped him succeed personally and professionally. "We had to learn how to develop an organization almost from scratch, learn how to recruit new members, fundraise, operate within the college, and be a part of the Greek life on campus in general. It helped me mature my own social skills, communication skills, and problem-solving," Mike stated. "It also helped me in my professional endeavors by teaching me what to look out for in a recruitment setting, like job interviews or school interviews, and how to market myself." Mike credits the influence of chapter advisors Joseph Santacroce '88 and Richard Krisch '73 for showing him and his pledge brothers what it truly means to be committed to Sigma Chi. HOUSE CORPORATION UPDATE Theta Chapter Responds to the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Sigma Chi Provided Mike Sass '10 with Foundation for Success Support eta Chapter with a donation today! To make your gi online, visit http://givebutter. com/aBdT8r. (Continued on page 2)

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