Sigma Chi PsiS o r o r i t y
Frequently Asked Questions
A social organization for ONLINE colleges and universities, NOT COMPREHENDING?
Unfortunately, there are few sororities and fraternities that cater to online college students. Online classes can leave some individuals feeling isolated. During a Strayer University commencement ceremony, Queen Latifah acknowledged the remarkable perseverance of online students who balance multiple roles as spouses, parents, caregivers, employees, and students simultaneously.
Despite attending classes virtually, should we not have the chance to form meaningful friendships and connections with our online peers? To address feelings of isolation, we aim to bridge the social gap for online college students by organizing events and community service activities. Our objective is to operate virtually while providing a community for our members to meet in person locally and nationally, enabling nontraditional students to come as close as possible to the student life college experience despite their avenue of pursuing higher education.
Are we an online sorority?
Though we operate virtually, we are NOT an ONLINE sorority. We are a sorority for those pursuing a degree online. We aim to connect in person locally and nationally.
Are we the first sorority to provide a sisterhood for women taking online classes or attending non-traditional colleges and universities?
Sigma Chi Psi Sorority is indeed the first organization that accepts women from ALL accredited online colleges and universities, according to extensive research and fact-finding. The organization is open to students pursuing an associate degree, bachelor's, master's, or doctorate, as well as those studying at community and technical colleges. Although there are thousands of collegiate sororities and fraternities, many fail to accommodate the majority of students who pursue or have pursued higher education in non-traditional ways, leaving significant gaps.
Virtual chapters have been established by certain sororities to cater to non-traditional and online students since our inception. Honor societies offer membership to non-traditional college students. Additionally, some D9 organizations provide membership opportunities to graduate students who have completed their degrees through online programs.
Are we part of the divine nine?
No, Sigma Chi Psi sorority is not affiliated with the divine nine. We are an independent multicultural organization in support individuals who have pursued or are pursuing higher education in non-traditional ways.
What type of nonprofit organization is Sigma Chi Psi Sorority, Inc.?
Sigma Chi Psi Sorority, Inc. is a real national sorority and has been a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization in Maryland since 11/05/2020. The organization aims to support individuals who have pursued or are pursuing higher education in non-traditional ways.
When was Sigma Chi Psi Sorority, Inc. established?
Sigma Chi Psi Sorority, Inc. was founded in November of 2019 and was established federally on October 14, 2020. The founding student-approved chapters celebrated their charter day on October 28th, and the organization was approved as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit on November 5, 2020. While Sigma Chi Psi sorority considers October 14th as the organization's day of establishment, November 19th, 2019, is the official founding date.
Can I join Sigma Chi Psi if I am a member of another sorority?
To become a member of Sigma Chi Psi, you must not be an active member of a SIMILAR sorority, which refers to a collegiate sorority that exclusively offers membership to non-traditional college students. In such a case, you must terminate your membership with a similar sorority before applying to Sigma Chi Psi. However, if you're part of a D9 sorority or any other collegiate sorority and pursuing or have pursued a post-graduate degree online, you may still apply to become a member of Sigma Chi Psi.
How much is membership?
Compared to other sororities and fraternities, Sigma Chi Psi offers affordable fees and multiple payment options. The initial fees, which are subject to change, are not disclosed publicly and are only provided to those who receive an invitation to complete intake. Annual dues of $150, which are also subject to change, are due in the second year. All payment options, fees, and how the initial fee is spent are provided at the time of an invite to intake. Sigma Chi Psi no longer offers a reduced initial fee due to COVID-19. It's important to note that paying the fee does not guarantee membership, and intake cannot begin until the initial fee is paid.
What is SCP's application process?
To access the application process, click on the "Apply" tab. A fee is required to apply, and we require an official transcript directly from your school or a third-party transcript processing company. We do not accept transcripts sent directly from you. The application provides information on where to send your transcript, which must be received within 30 days of submitting your application unless otherwise stated. If you do not receive your application after paying the fee, contact support@sigmachipsi.org. Once you submit your application and all requirements are met, you will receive an invitation to intake. If denied, we will inform you of the reason. In the past applications were valid for 30 days, as of 12/15/2022, applications are valid for one year, and your application will remain active for 30 days. If you need a new application within one year, no additional payment is required, and you may request one by emailing support@sigmachipsi.org.
When is SCP's intake and what is intake?
Intake is an essential process to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for membership. It is similar to pledging for Greek letter organizations. However, Sigma Chi Psi strictly prohibits any form of hazing, bullying, or intimidation tactics. We do not share intake dates publicly. Instead, we provide this information when you receive an invitation to participate in the process. It is important to note that receiving an invite to intake does not guarantee membership, but participation in intake is mandatory. The intake period typically lasts eight weeks to ten weeks and aims to develop character and values while educating candidates about traditional Greek letter organizations, sisterhood, our organization, and fostering strong bonds among fellow candidates who are joining the organization at the same time.
Sigma Chi Psi has an informal application process, and applications are accepted year-round. However, we conduct intake three times a year, during the summer, spring, and fall.
Are members required to complete a certain number of community service hours a year?
Yes, to remain an active member, community service hours must be met on a quarterly and or annual basis. Joining a sorority involves a significant time commitment, which can be challenging for some, particularly those who pursue online degrees for this and other reasons. Sigma Chi Psi recognizes this and provides an alternative option for those who cannot dedicate a lot of time. As such, individuals who prefer a less time-intensive involvement can choose to become affiliates rather than full members.
Disaffiliation / Inactive Status
Disaffiliation is completed through the menu option on our website. Sigma Chi Psi automatically sends email notifications to members who willingly disaffiliate themselves from the organization. If we disaffiliate you, you will receive an email notification.
If you realize that you no longer have access to the members' area or any private social member platforms, you are no longer a member, or your membership is inactive. We only disaffiliate those that violate our organization's policies, procedures, or bylaws. Inactive status can be due to not paying annual dues, non-participation in your chapter, or not meeting community service requirements for our organization and or your chapter.
Who are the founders of Sigma Chi Psi Sorority?
Hildra Anna Jean and Stephanie Robinson are the founders of Sigma Chi Psi Sorority. Both of them obtained their undergraduate degrees from traditional universities. During her undergraduate studies in 2005, Hildra Anna Jean worked in various departments at the University of Memphis. In 2018, she started working with college students again, this time through a company called Credentials Solutions, which is now part of Parchment. She also began her career as an independent private contractor for educational slogans, curriculum, and research that same year.
Sigma Chi Psi Sorority was established in November 2019. Hildra Anna Jean first mentioned the sorority during her last semester pursuing her second master's degree at Strayer University in October 2020. Strayer University is a private for-profit university headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating under the holding company Strategic Education, Inc., which was established in 1996 and rebranded after merging with Capella University. The university specializes in degree programs for working adults and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, health services administration, information technology, and public administration. It enrolls over 50,000 students through both its online learning programs and 64 campuses located in 15 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Does Sigma Chi Psi Sorority have chapters?
The members of Sigma Chi Psi sorority are spread out across the United States, and our chapters are not determined by location but rather by the school attended. At present, Sigma Chi Psi has chapters that have been approved by students. While most online universities and community colleges are not typically structured to accommodate sororities and fraternities as part of student life, Sigma Chi Psi is proactively seeking to alter this dynamic by transitioning its chapters to become school-sanctioned.
General questions for those unfamiliar with sororities and fraternities.
Click here for commonly used sorority and fraternity terminology.
Why do members pay per semester, quarterly, chapter, or annual dues in a sorority?
When you join a sorority, there is a financial obligation that comes along with membership. This financial commitment is often referred to as "dues."The cost of dues will look different for each campus and varies.
The women of the sorority chapter vote to approve the budget for the next semester. This vote determines how much each member will pay in dues. These dues go toward expenses and activities such as socials, fundraising events, sisterhood activities, operations, events, programming, and T-shirts in additional sisterhood or social events. Click here to read more .......
Why do sororities and fraternities use greek letters?
Fraternities and sororities were established to further the social, scholastic, and professional interests of its members. ... Most fraternities and sororities adopt Greek letters to represent their organization, and as a result, they are often referred to as Greek letter societies or simply Greek organizations.
The main thought behind Greek letters' use is that fraternities and sororities have a Hellenic way of thinking. ... Click here to learn more...
What is a chapter in a sorority?
Sigma Chi Psi's chapters are categorized by the school one attends. Sororities and fraternities have chapters within their organization. For the most part, chapter organizations are established under the umbrella of the parent organization. The chapters share the same purpose and values, yet they operate independently. Members can only join one chapter. However, there are instances of member transfers; however, this usually occurs going from an undergrad chapter to a grad chapter. A major goal of sororities is to create strong friendships between members. Hosting sisterhood activities is just one way those relationships are fostered and strengthened. That is why we refer to these chapter meetings as a sisterhood meeting, though not all organizations will call them that. Activities at these meetings can be virtually anything that allows members to have a shared experience and bond with one another. You might see events like yoga, crafting nights, cookie decorating, or specific relationship-building activities. This is a great time to learn more about your chapter members and connect with more women. Click here to read more.....
Why do sororities have symbols and mottos?
Every sorority organization has its own set of beliefs, values, mottos, and symbols. A sorority's heritage says a lot about who they are today, and every symbol is chosen carefully to reflect that.
Most sororities and fraternities are held under councils or association. Sigma Chi Psi is an independent multicultural sorority not held under any councils or associations.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the local governing body for National Interfraternity Conference fraternity chapters. IFC works to promote the highest ideals of scholarship, leadership, service, and fraternalism among its member organizations. IFC provides educational programming on various topics to fraternity chapters and their members, including leadership, risk management, alcohol awareness, and scholarship.
The Multicultural Greek Council consists of both fraternities and sororities. With a focus on specific ethnicities and/or cultures or multiculturalism in general, these organizations are united to serve as a unique voice and advocate for their respective communities.
The Divine Nine - National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the umbrella organization for the historically African-American fraternities and sororities on campuses. The council's purpose is to promote unity and expose members to the "service for life" philosophy, and foster leadership development and scholarship. There are nine historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Collectively, these organizations are referred to as "The Divine Nine." Each of these fraternities and sororities is rich in history - ties to one or more of these organizations may be found in many college-educated Black families in the United States.
The Panhellenic Association is the organization that strives to unite National Panhellenic Conference sororities and work for their common goals. Representatives from each chapter meet regularly, share information, discuss issues of concern and interest, and vote on policies and procedures.