Sigma Pi, Mu Chapter

Last updated
Sigma Pi, Mu chapter
ΣΠ
1 SigmaPiFrontView.jpg
Chapter house
Founded1917
TypeSocial
StatusActive
ColorsPurple and Gold
CharteredMay 18, 1917
Headquarters730 University Avenue
Ithaca , New York
United States
Website www.sigmapicornell.org

Mu is the chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity incorporated at Cornell University. [1] [2] The organization is an all-male fraternity. The chapter's house is located at 730 University Ave. Ithaca, New York, standing at the bottom of Cornell's Libe Slope near West Campus. [3] As of late 2023, the chapter hosted 70 undergraduate brothers and over 1,100 alumni. [2] The house's cumulative grade point average was 3.47 as of Fall 2023. [2]

Contents

History

The house's front door 3 SigmaPiFrontView3.jpg
The house's front door
Mu Chapter's chapter room, known as the "West Lounge" West Lounge Sigma Pi Mu.jpg
Mu Chapter's chapter room, known as the "West Lounge"

Originally the St. L and J Club founded in 1895 and became the Alpha chapter of the local Omega Delta in 1913.That organization was incorporated by 15 Cornell undergrads in the spring of 1913 at 636 Stewart Ave. In 1915, the chapter purchased 730 University Ave, the chapter's current home, for $20,000. As the house grew, they petitioned Sigma Pi Fraternity for membership in the national organization and were chartered as the Mu chapter on May 18, 1917. [4]

During a 1994 remodel of the chapter house, a structure fire broke out that burned down the building. [5] The house received an insurance payout of $670,000 and subsequently sued the contracting company for uninsured losses due to their alleged negligence in use of acetylene torches. The structure was replaced by a house in a very similar design as the original save a handful of new features. [5]

House

Sigma Pi's house has been at 730 University Avenue since the organization was the Alpha chapter of Omega Delta. [3] [6] It has four floors including a dining hall, industrial kitchen, theater, two large living rooms, a library, front porch, billiards room, and elevated patio. The house fits 44 brothers at full capacity.

The elevated patio known as "The Beach" 18 SP Beach1.jpg
The elevated patio known as "The Beach"

The house is known for "The Beach," an outdoor, third-floor patio with a panoramic view of Tompkins County.

The house is not owned by Cornell, but instead is owned and operated by the fraternity's alumni association. [7]

Organization

The organization, like most fraternities, is mostly student run. The undergraduate brothers work in tandem with alumni to keep the house running. Its executive board consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, steward, house manager, herald, alumni secretary, and fire safety chair. The current president is Manoc Joa-Griffith.

Events

The organization holds frequent social gatherings on weekends. They often organize fundraisers and philanthropic events that benefit the local Ithaca community, like their annual Rock the CASA charity sand volleyball tournament that raises money for Court Appointed Special Advocates, a children's charity; or their Jazz Music Night benefiting the Ithaca Fire Department and the Children's Brittle Bone Foundation. [8] [9]

The theater of Sigma Pi Cornell 15 TV Room.jpg
The theater of Sigma Pi Cornell

Notable alumni

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References

  1. Marcus, Jasmine (December 4, 2008). "IFC Votes to Re-Recognize Sigma Pi Fraternity; House Will Be Required to Have Dry Rush - The Cornell Daily Sun". cornellsun.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  2. 1 2 3 "Organization Scorecard | Student & Campus Life". scl.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  3. 1 2 "Assessment Rolls | Tompkins County NY". www.tompkinscountyny.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  4. "Sigma Pi Chapter Information - Mu Chapter". Sigmapi.org. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
  5. 1 2 "Mu Chapter of the Sigma Pi Fraternity of the United States, Inc. v. Northeast Construction Services, Inc., 273 A.D.2d 579 | Casetext Search + Citator". casetext.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  6. "Houses". Cornell Fraternity Life. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  7. Goldin, Davidson (1992-08-16). "4 Frat Houses At Cornell Shut". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  8. "Jazz Night Hits Sigma Pi". cornellsun.com. December 4, 2001. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  9. "Sigma Pi to Host Second Annual Jazz Music Night". cornellsun.com. December 6, 2002. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  10. "Zimmer John Co-Founder and President of Lyft". World Achievers Book. 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2024-07-18.