Social Variety

Groups members emphasize that the fraternity's social life does not revolve around house parties and alcohol, pointing to trips into Boston to see the Red Sox or shoot pool, road trips, an annual formal and mixers with local sororities as examples of their varied social itinerary.

"Occassionally, we host parties of our own in the house," Menkiti says. "Each brother is usually allowed to bring a few guests, but we try to keep them low-key."

Epps, who says that he has not met with Sigma Chi representatives in several years, offers a general caution against the excesses of fraternities.

"I would caution students who would participate in their events that fraternities are known for binge drinking and abuse of property," Epps says.

Both Luke A. Sarsfield '95, the chapter advisor, and Menkiti say this image of fraternities, popularized by the media and by recent events at other schools, does not describe Harvard's Sigma Chi chapter.

We're not about drinking or hazing," Sarsfield says. "We have a strict policy against underage drinking; it's against the law and our national guidelines."

While Sigma Chi is similar to final clubs in that they restrict membership at their parties, Menkiti says the group's role is "not to provide alcohol," but rather to "complement the social aspects of Harvard."

A Different Kind of Rush

As with other aspects of the house, Sigma Chi members say their rushes defy conventional stereotypes--starting with the fact that they are alcohol-free as required by national guidelines.

The rush events include an information session at the house and trips to Boston Billiards, the Comedy Connection and the Wonderland Dog Tracks.

"The whole rush process is a selection process," says Rush Chair Andrew Stoll '99. "We want them to see us interacting with each other and we want to get to know them in a social situation."

After the initial rush events, Sigma Chi brothers have one-on-one conversations with rushes to get to know them better. Rushes may also speak to Sigma Chi alumni on the phone or at chapter events.

"It's not like you see in the movies," Stoll says. "It's more of an educational process--we want them to know who we are, how far we've come, and where we're going."

Menkiti says the diversity of the group--which includes officers of Harvard Student Agencies and the South Asian Association, Phillips Brooks House directors and Crimson editors--attests to the group's attempt to select students with a variety of "temperments, talents, and convictions."