Sigma Phi Rho

Sigma Phi Rho
ΣΦΡ
FoundedApril 26, 1979; 45 years ago (1979-04-26)
Wagner College
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisAfrican American
ScopeNational
Motto"Strong character and good moral judgment are the essence of dignity"
PillarsScholarship, Brotherhood, Leadership, Service, Empowerment
Colors  Brown,   White, and   Gold
SymbolRam
FlowerWhite and Gold Roses
PublicationThe Scales
Chapters21 active
Colonies12
NicknameThe Rho, Rhoman, Death RHO
Headquarters653-A Malcolm X Blvd.
New York City, New York 10037
United States
Websitewww.sigmaphirho.org

Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, Inc. (ΣΦΡ) is an African American collegiate fraternity.[1] It was established at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York in 1978.

History

Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, Inc. was started in 1978 and chartered by thirteen men from Wagner College in 1979.[2] The founding members of Sigma Phi Rho were:[3]

  • Ronald Adams
  • Courtney A. Bennett
  • Clarence R. Bishop
  • Gregory F. J. Brown
  • James Chambers
  • Edmund Folkes
  • Harvey Greenidge
  • Alton James
  • Anthony Locascio
  • Francisco Pena
  • Marvin Raye
  • Leroy Reynolds
  • John T. Sims
  • Darren Lightburn, honorary grandfather

The Beta chapter was added at the State University of New York at Brockport in 1980, followed by the Gamma chapter at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in 1981.[4][5]

The fraternity's national headquarters is located in New York City.[5]

Symbols

The motto of Sigma Phi Rho is "Strong character and good moral judgment are the essence of dignity". The fraternity's colors are brown, white, and gold. Its pillars are Scholarship, Brotherhood, Leadership, Service, and Empowerment.[4]

Membership

To become a member of Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity Inc. there is a fraternal educational training. Membership of Sigma Phi Rho is open to all sophomores attending an accredited four-year college or university. Academically, the candidates must have at least a 2.7 grade point average based on a 4.0 scale. All candidates must have a documented record of community service. All candidates must display strong character, good moral judgment, and leadership abilities.

There are four classes of membership of Sigma Phi Rho fraternity which are active, inactive, alumni, and honorary. An active member has the full privilege to participate in all fraternity activities. An inactive member has restricted participation in the chapter activities[6] An alumni member has finished college and is possibly pursuing an advanced degree. An honorary member has the rights and privileges of full membership. To become an honorary member a person has to have done something remarkable, whether it's through community service, academically or some other achievement.

Sigma Phi Rho is a non-hazing organization. Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, Incorporated does not consent to, condone, or authorize any act of hazing, both mentally and physically, or violence towards potential candidates as a term or condition of membership[7]

Chapters

Following is a partial list of Sigma Phi Rho chapters.[4][5] Active chapters are in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
Alpha 1978 Wagner College Staten Island, New York City, New York Active
Beta October 25, 1980 State University of New York at Brockport Brockport, New York Active
Gamma (First) 1981–xxxx ? University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Inactive
Delta (First) (see Tau) 1981–c. 1982 Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, North Carolina Inactive
Epsilon 1981 New York Metro Chapter New York City, New York Active
Zeta 1981 Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey Active
Eta 1981 State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York Active
Theta September 1, 1983 University of Rochester Rochester, New York Active
Delta (Second) November 12, 1983 State University of New York at Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York Active
Iota July 25, 1985 College of Staten Island Staten Island, New York Active
Kappa July 25, 1985 New York Institute of Technology Long Island, New York Active
Lambda 1990 University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California Active
Mu 2002 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dartmouth, Massachusetts Active
Nu 2009 Lehman College Bronx, New York Active
XI April 24, 1989 State University of New York at Albany Albany, New York Active
Omicron 1988 Ramapo College Mahwah, New Jersey Active
Pi December 16, 1989 State University of New York at Delhi Delhi, New York Active
Rho Inactive ?
Sigma 1995 Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey Active
Tau (see Delta First) Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, North Carolina Active
Upsilon Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York Active
Phi Inactive ?
Chi Inactive ?
Psi Inactive ?
Omega Inactive ?
Alpha Alpha Inactive ?
Alpha Beta Inactive ?
Alpha Gamma 2005 San Jose State University San Jose, California Active
Alpha Delta 20xx ? California State University, Northridge Los Angeles, California Active
Gamma (Second) University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina Active
American International University Colony
Brooklyn College New York City, New York Colony
Long Island University Colony
Marist College Poughkeepsie, New York Colony
Medgar Evers College New York City, New York Colony
Pace University Colony
South Carolina State University Orangeburg, South Carolina Colony
Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut Colony
St. John's University New York City, New York Colony
State University of New York at Morrisville Morrisville, New York Colony
State University of New York at Oneonta Oneonta, New York Colony
Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York Colony

Auxiliary groups

Rho Rhoses

The Rho Rhoses is the women's auxiliary group for Sigma Phi Rho. The Rho Rhoses was also founded at Wagner College on December 4, 1980.[8] To become a member of Rhoses, there are certain programs in place in order to become a fully blossom, including the Bud program. The Bud program starts the young women who are interested, as Seeds or Rose Buds. The purpose of the Rose Buds is to aid and assist brothers in the training process, in addition to serving their school and aid in its development and growth.

Rhoman's Court

The Rhoman's Court is the official group for high school students interested Sigma Phi Rho.[9]

Prophets

The Prophets are an interest group for college freshman. Since Sigma Phi Rho does not accept freshmen into the "Scales" Club, this group helps develop and mentor these young men. During the Prophet experience, Rho Brothers help freshman acclimate to college life and prepare for their possible fraternal journey—specifically focusing on developing scholarly habits, character, and good leadership qualities.

See also

References

  1. ^ "History". Archived from the original on 2009-08-20. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
  2. ^ Brown L. Tamara, Parks S. Gregory, & Phillips M. Clarenda (ED.)(2005), 189. American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision. Lexington:Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-2344-8.
  3. ^ "Founders". Sigma Phi Rho. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  4. ^ a b c "About". Sigma Phi Rho. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  5. ^ a b c Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (April 21, 2024) "Sigma Phi Rho". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed May 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "Greek Glossary". Archived from the original on 2017-07-11.
  7. ^ "Sigma Phi Rho Fraternity, Inc. - Home".
  8. ^ "Office of the N.E.C."
  9. ^ "Sigma Phi Rho". Archived from the original on 2009-08-20.