Sigma Chi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

3 T he 2024 calendar year marked the implementation of a new performance rating system for fraternities and sororities at RPI. The rating system was developed and implemented by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Commons based on similar successful systems employed at other colleges and adapted to meet RPI's fraternity and sorority community operations. The topics rated are similar to those included in the Sigma Chi International Fraternity's Peterson Significant Chapter Award (won once again last spring by Delta Psi) and RPI's former Five Star Award. The outstanding news is that Delta Psi received a rating of 94% for its overall performance, placing them as the number two performer among all fraternities and sororities! The accreditation process scores chapter performance in five specific areas and includes a variety of topics. Here are the details: Academics – Chapter'S Score = 100% • Chapter GPA (3.30 for Spring 2024 and 3.42 for Fall 2024) • Oversight of member performance by undergraduate scholarship chairman Chapter Operations – Chapter'S Score = 100% • Full compliance with fraternity/sorority and RPI community standards • Engagement and interaction with RPI community and chapter alumni • Utilization of social media in communications • Chapter recruitment • Operational plans in case of crisis Member Development – Chapter's Score = 95% • Implementation of member development programs • Excellence in member development programs • Collaboration with fraternity/sorority organizations and other student organizations • Implementation of mentorship programs Leadership Development – Chapter's Score = 100% • Establishment and achievement of goals • Transition of officers • Planning and execution of leadership retreats • Educational initiatives within the community • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging Experiential Learning – Chapter's Score = below 60 • Engagement in community service activities involving multiple organizations • Engagement in philanthropy activities • Promotion of health and wellness activities As one can see from the 2024 results, the chapter excelled in virtually every category. The process of submitting documentation showing the chapter's performance and how they excelled in the five areas was certainly a learning experience. The work that went into the submission by the various brothers was exceptional. The results also demonstrated to the brothers that they needed to increase their activities in a number of areas, especially community service and philanthropy. In that factor, the chapter received full credit for the chapter averaging more than five hours of community service per member per semester; for conducting at least one philanthropic event for a national or regional cause; and for actively participating in a variety of health and wellness training programs (including mental health). The chapter was graded at 75% in conducting community service events due to their not having at least 65% of the members participate in spring 2024 semester events. Conversely, the chapter fell well short of the requirements related to working with other organizations in the fraternity/sorority community as well as those in the RPI and local community. The shortcomings were heard, and the chapter has increased their work related to experiential learning during the spring of 2025, which was the start of the rating period for the next accreditation. Increased emphasis has been placed on both community service and philanthropy. As a result, the chapter successfully raised $20,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute during Derby Days—a feat not seen in a number of years. The level of commitment and energy is extremely high. We should be confident that the chapter has learned the level of documentation required in order to support its accomplishments to the evaluation panel moving forward. Additionally, the chapter will act on their advice contained in their 2024 accreditation evaluation and raise their score even higher for the 2025 calendar year. By the way, if you are interested in the five organizations which attained the highest rating of "MERIT" on the accreditation they were, in order: Lamda Chi Alpha (97%), Sigma Chi (94%), Delta Phi (93%), sorority Alpha Gamma Delta (92%), and Theta Xi (90%). By Bob "Justa" Eckart '73, Chapter Advisor Delta Psi Excels in 2024 Accreditation Excellence Rating Consul Ben Sepulveda '26 Pro Consul Zachary Paton '26 Annotator Collin Kolbe '27 Quaestor James Cohen '27 Risk Manager Colton Pectal '25 Scholarship Chairman Henry McManus '27 Brotherhood Chairman Matt Caluri '27 House Manager Alexander Emery '26 Introducing the New Delta Psi Executive Committee!

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