Collection Guide
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Sigma Chi Fraternity collection
SC0754
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
Undetermined
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Sigma Chi Fraternity collection
Identifier/Call Number: SC0754
Physical Description:
15 Linear Feet
(28 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1933-2021
Abstract: The collection contains financial
records, including budgets, cancelled checks, receipts, invoices, pass books, investment
records, bills, and accountant forms; house improvement documentation such as architectural
plans and sketches, photographs, roofing samples, work orders, and safety inspection
records; official documents related to insurance claims and forms, lawsuits, and ground
leases signed with the Trustees of the University; Alpha Omega House Corporation records
including meeting agendas, minutes, and correspondence with National organization and
Stanford University; fraternity correspondence, including letters between alums, fraternity
members; and publications such as chapter centennial celebration materials, STANFORD DAILY
clippings, national news clippings, and copies of THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI. Additional
materials not fully processed include completed surveys done at the 100th anniversary
reunion, publications, correspondence, and photographs (1933-76).
This collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 48 hours in
advance of intended use.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must
be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California 94304-6064. Consent is given on behalf of Special
Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright
owner, heir(s) or assigns. See:
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/spc/pubserv/permissions.html.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of
digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
This collection was given to the Stanford University Archives by the Alpha Omega Chapter of
Sigma Chi, 2005-2009, and Timothy Portwood, 2015.
[Identification of item], Sigma Chi Fraternity collection (SC0754). Dept. of Special
Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Biographical/Historical Sketch
The Alpha Omega Chapter of Sigma Chi is one of Stanford's oldest fraternities, chartered in
1891 shortly after the opening of the University. In 1936, a collection of Sigma Chi alumni
banded together to form the Alpha Omega House Corporation, a non-profit that both financed
the construction of the current chapter house (finished in 1939) and continues to lease the
land from the University. In 1965, the chapter was suspended from the National Sigma Chi
Organization after pledging an African American student. A year later, the chapter
deactivated in protest over National's discriminatory policies and became Sigma Chi Omega, a
local fraternity, which it remained for eight years. In 1974, the chapter re-affiliated with
the national organization. In 1991, Sigma Chi celebrated the centennial of both the
University and the chapter. In 2002, facing financial pressures, the House Corporation
proposed handing the house over to the University but a new Board was installed in 2003, and
proceeded to fundraise over 2.5 million dollars to refurbish the house, a project that
concluded in 2006.
The Alpha Omega Chapter of Sigma Chi is one of Stanford's oldest fraternities, chartered in
1891 shortly after the opening of the University. In 1936, a collection of Sigma Chi alumni
banded together to form the Alpha Omega House Corporation, a non-profit that both financed
the construction of the current chapter house (finished in 1939) and continues to lease the
land from the University. In 1965, the chapter was suspended from the National Sigma Chi
Organization after pledging an African American student. A year later, the chapter
deactivated in protest over National's discriminatory policies and became Sigma Chi Omega, a
local fraternity, which it remained for eight years. In 1974, the chapter re-affiliated with
the national organization. In 1991, Sigma Chi celebrated the centennial of both the
University and the chapter. In 2002, facing financial pressures, the House Corporation
proposed handing the house over to the University but a new Board was installed in 2003, and
proceeded to fundraise over 2.5 million dollars to refurbish the house, a project that
concluded in 2006.
| 1891 | Sigma Chi Alpha Omega Chapter chartered at Stanford University. |
| 1936 | Alpha Omega House Corporation formed; land leased by University to AOHC to construct chapter house. |
| 1939 | Sigma Chi House completed. |
| 1965 | Sigma Chi pledges Ken Washington, an African-American student. National organization promptly suspends chapter over "violation of tradition and ritual." Chapter challenges suspension, garners national press coverage, attention of U.S. Senator (and Stanford EX alumnus) Lee Metcalf and Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. |
| 1966 | To protest discriminatory policies of National, Stanford chapter deactivates, becomes Sigma Chi Omega. |
| 1974 | Chapter re-affiliates with Sigma Chi, once again becomes Sigma Chi, Alpha Omega Chapter. |
| 1991 | Sigma Chi celebrates centennial of University and Chapter founding. |
| 2002 | House Corporation proposes hand over of house to University. |
| 2003 | Newly installed House Corporation Boards launches 2.5 million dollar "Save the House" campaign. |
| 2006 | Refurbishing of Sigma Chi House is completed. |
The collection contains financial records, including budgets, cancelled checks, receipts,
invoices, pass books, investment records, bills, and accountant forms; house improvement
documentation such as architectural plans and sketches, photographs, roofing samples, work
orders, and safety inspection records; official documents related to insurance claims and
forms, lawsuits, and ground leases signed with the Trustees of the University; Alpha Omega
House Corporation records including meeting agendas, minutes, and correspondence with
National organization and Stanford University; fraternity correspondence, including letters
between alums, fraternity members; and publications such as chapter centennial celebration
materials, STANFORD DAILY clippings, national news clippings, and copies of THE MAGAZINE OF
SIGMA CHI.
Materials of particular note include documentation of Sigma Chi's pledge controversy,
suspension, deactivation, and eventual re-affiliation with National (boxes 11-13) and files
on the proposed handover of the chapter house and subsequent fundraising drive (boxes
21-22).
Additional materials not fully processed include completed surveys done at the 100th
anniversary reunion, publications, correspondence, and photographs (1933-76). Preliminary
listings for these are included in this guide.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Greek letter societies.
Minority college students
Sigma Chi Fraternity. Alpha Omega Chapter (Stanford
University)