Sigma Phi Delta is an association of congenial minds and kindred souls founded for the specific purpose
to influence the development of mind, heart and character. Its object - "To promote the advancement of
the Engineering Profession; to foster the advancement of Engineering Education; to instill a greater spirit
of cooperation among Engineering students and organizations; to inculcate in its members the highest
ideals of Virtuous manhood, good citizenship, obedience to law, and brotherhood; and to encourage
excellence in scholarship" represents the basic principles that form the philosophical framework which
guide its actions in the development of future leaders.
Like the larger society, and the universities and colleges at which its Chapters reside, Sigma Phi Delta is
not a police state. Indeed, it employs no law enforcement agents, nor was it ever founded or chartered
to do so. It regards its members as subjects of the host College or University first, and members of Sigma
Phi Delta second. However, Sigma Phi Delta is an organization that advises and encourages its members
to conform and abide by the laws of the land and the policies, rules and regulations of the host
institution, but under its structure, it does not possess the authority or capability to actually enforce said
laws, policies, rules and regulations.
In addition, Sigma Phi Delta has adopted certain laws and rules of governance to which its members are
expected to abide (see the Constitution and Statutory Code) subject only to the laws of the land and the
rules, regulations and policies of the host institution. Failure of any member to abide by said laws and
rules may be punishable by suspension or expulsion from membership, removal from elected or
appointed office within the Fraternity, or the suspension or revocation of a Chapter's charter.
The following rules and regulations are the property of Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity and they are in effect
immediately for each Chapter of the Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity.
I. Risk Reduction Committee:
Upon taking office each semester, the Executive Board shall appoint a Risk Reduction Chairman and
Committee whose names shall be forwarded to the International Office of the Fraternity. The job of the
Committee shall be to review all areas of potential chapter liability and implement a full Chapter Risk
Reduction Plan coordinated through all relevant officers of the Chapter. The Committee shall also seek
the advice and counsel of the appropriate college or university official.
II. Education of Initiates:
A. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program - to be conducted for the entire Chapter immediately and each new
pledge class henceforth. (University administration usually has programs on this subject.)
B. Sexual Abuse and Harassment Program - to be conducted for the entire Chapter immediately and
each new pledge class henceforth. (University administration usually has programs on this subject.)
C. Fire Prevention and Hazard Communication Program - to be conducted for the entire Chapter
(including pledges) each fall and spring; to include fire drills, posting and discussion of evacuation
routes, etc. (Contact local Fire Marshall.)
D. Criminal Liability and Basic Legal Concepts Program - to be conducted for the entire Chapter
immediately and for new pledge classes henceforth. (Contact campus security, local District Attorney,
Police Chief or local attorney, host institution's legal assistance office, or show Sigma Phi Epsilon's or
ATO's or a similar film as a part of the presentation.)
E. Health Education and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Program - to be conducted to ensure the Chapter
facility meets all health codes and that the Chapter is aware of current health risks collegians face in
their personal lives. (Contact host institution's health services or appropriate local medical
professionals.)
III. Social Activities of the Chapter Must Meet the Following Criteria:
A. The ILLEGAL use, possession, sale or distribution of any controlled substance, including alcohol, at
Chapter functions shall be strictly prohibited.
B. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through the Chapter Treasury nor may the purchase of
same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member or pledge in the name of or
on behalf of the Chapter.
C. No Chapter members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic
beverages to any minor (i.e., those under legal "drinking age".)
D. No Chapter members may provide alcoholic beverages to members or guests by selling tickets or
cups, by charging admission fees, by taking up a collection ("passing the hat"), or by using any other
direct or indirect means of collecting moneys from persons attending Chapter functions.
E. No Chapter shall serve, or permit the use, possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages at
Chapter rush functions. In addition, each Chapter is expected to be an active proponent of "dry rush"
among all fraternities on campus.
F. No Chapter may host an "open" party (social function). Individual non-members attending a chapter
function may do so only by specific written (or approved verbal) invitation of Chapter members who
should assume responsibility for the welfare of said guests and any damage to chapter premises caused
by those guests. List of individual guest's names must be maintained and monitored at the door or entry
to the function. The safety and welfare of each guest must be an assumed responsibility of the individual
member who invited said guest.
G. Valid identification of those claiming to be entitled legally to consume alcohol at chapter functions
(where legal consumption is permitted) must be checked for their correct age. The possession,
distribution or consumption of alcoholic beverages at said functions must not violate federal, state, and
local laws and ordinances as well as the rules and regulations of the host institution.
H. At any and all Chapter functions where the legal consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted,
alternate or non-alcoholic beverages and food shall be served. At such functions, trained individuals,
who will commit themselves not to consume alcoholic beverages or illegal or controlled substances shall
be appointed or hired to be on duty at all exits in order to check the sobriety level of invited persons
arriving and leaving chapter functions, and to prevent uninvited and/or intoxicated guests from
entering.
I. If any member or guest appears to be even slightly intoxicated, at any chapter function, the chapter
members shall escort said member or guest from the function. The chapter must not permit intoxicated
persons to drive automobiles or to walk themselves home, but rather they must be accompanied by a
responsible member who has not consumed alcoholic beverages or any illegal or controlled substance.
J. Where alcoholic beverages are served or consumed legally (i.e., by those of legal age) such beverages
shall be served only in non-transparent containers for purposes of reducing peer pressure on those who
choose not to consume said beverages or those who are not of legal age.
K. No chapter shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in "drinking games" at any chapter
function.
L. Any and all alcoholic beverages shall be strictly prohibited from being served to, provided for, or
purchased for any pledge or initiated member in connection with any and all aspects of the pledge
education program.
M. Intoxication of any member or pledge at any chapter function or at any other time shall be deemed
"conduction unbecoming a gentleman" and the Chapter's Executive Committee shall invoke full
provisions of the law should such circumstances occur including fines and/or suspension or expulsion for
a continual pattern of drunken behavior. Habitual violators shall be advised to seek qualified counseling.
IV. Premises of the Chapter:
A. The chapter premises shall be inspected twice annually by the Fire Marshall and local health officials,
with reports to be forwarded immediately to the Housing Corporation and the International Office. Any
and all violations shall be corrected immediately.
B. Maximum occupancy numbers for houses and rooms for all group activities shall be posted
conspicuously and not violated.
C. Proper fire exits must be marked with diagrams posted.
V. Hazing:
No Chapter shall conduct hazing. In addition to the definition included in the Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity
Statutory Code, Section 100, the following definition shall apply:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off Fraternity premises, to produce
mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Such activities may include but
are not limited to the following: paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and
psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities
carried on outside or inside the confines of the chapter house; the wearing of public apparel which is
conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally
degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic
activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with Fraternal Law, Ritual or policy or the
regulations and policies of the host educational institution.
VI. All chapters shall encourage and cooperate fully with local IFC/Pan Hellenic Risk Reduction policies
and programs and encourage their university to sponsor Risk Reduction seminars annually.
VII. Punishment for violation of Sigma Phi Delta's rules and regulations may include: probation,
suspension or revocation of Chapter charter; probation, suspension or expulsion of the individual(s)
involved; removal from office of those officers of the chapter involved; the denial of membership to
pledges who allow themselves to become involved in any of the aforementioned.
(This Risk Reduction Policy was adopted by the 27th General Convention on September 5, 1987, and is
reprinted herein to ensure distribution and compliance with the provisions contained in the Policy.)