Sigma Chi - Oklahoma State University

3 THE IMPACT OF THE FRATERNITY EXPERIENCE • While more than half of today's college men say they've experienced loneliness in the last month and rates of depression are increasing, fraternities empower students to create a strong support system. is family—this home— that fraternities provide offers help and guidance when a member needs it most. • Research shows these connections can create a strong sense of belonging, leading members to have more positive mental health and less anxiety and depression than other students. • Brothers feel comfortable having tough conversations and learning from each other, and when they seek help, research shows they are twice as likely to reach out to a fraternity brother than anyone else. • Students spend 90% of their time outside the classroom. Fraternities capitalize on those hours by preparing men for success in college and in their futures far beyond what their peers experience. And a study of thousands of alumni of diverse backgrounds shows this holds true regardless of an individual's background or socioeconomic status entering college. • Because of higher expectations as well as the support and network fraternities provide, members experience greater gains in learning and graduate at higher rates than their peers. • Nearly 75% of chapters offer focused leadership development programming at least monthly, and 83% of members say their confidence in their leadership skills increased because of their membership. So, it is no surprise that fraternity alumni are twice as likely to believe their college experience prepared them well for life aer college. • Fraternity membership connects men to the university in a way that nonmembers simply don't experience. Brothers are more engaged inside and outside of the classroom than their peers—they report feeling more supported by their faculty and nearly half serve in campus leadership roles. • ey're also more connected to their local communities, with research showing they spend significantly more time than nonaffiliated students. When members leave the fraternity before graduation, the No. 1 reason is lack of financial resources. Research also shows the top reason an interested student doesn't join a fraternity is financial concern. To ensure the viability of Gamma Delta, the House Corporation must prioritize the affordability of the Sigma Chi experience at OSU. rough alumni support, this is possible. Our alumni saw this need years ago, knew they could make an impact, and came together to focus on raising money for the Sigma Chi Endowed Scholarship Fund at Oklahoma State University. e Scholarship Fund has made a tremendous difference in our members' lives by offsetting tuition expenses and making the escalating cost of college more affordable. "No other fraternity at OSU has anything like this. e Gamma Delta scholarship fund is valued at more than $1 million, and we grant more than $40,000 to deserving active members each year. We demonstrated to a new generation of brothers what we can do when we come together and support our Chapter." —Whit Culver '01 Gamma Delta Scholarship Endowment Fraternity members experience stronger mental health and wellness. Fraternities are an accelerator for success in college and beyond. Fraternities create lifelong connection to the campus, community, and their peers.

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