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What is ΣAI?
Why is ΣAI a fraternity?
Is ΣAI a sorority?
Why join ΣAI?
How do I join ΣAI?
What are the requirements?
What is Rush?
Does ΣAI haze?
What is training like?
What would I do as a sister?
What is ΣAI?
Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣΑΙ, pronounced ee-OH-tuh) is an international music fraternity for women who demonstrate a sincere interest in music. Our chapter, Eta Rho, meets at the Amy E. duPont music building on Sunday evenings and holds a variety of events (performances, fundraisers, service projects, social events, etc) throughout each semester.
Why is ΣAI a fraternity if its members are women?
When ΣAI was first established, it actually was called a sorority; however, that was later voted on and changed a few decades later.
An amendment was made to the ΣAI Constitution in 1926 stating: The following resolution passed by the Kappa Alpha Theta Convention merits the attention of all members of women's fraternities: "Inasmuch as the word fraternity is derived from FRATERNITAS, an abstract feminine noun (Latin) meaning brotherhood, applying to both men and women, and inasmuch as there is no corresponding Latin word derived from SOROR, be it resolved that we avoid sorority, an incorrect word, and instruct freshmen to this effect".
Essentially, fraternitas refers to not only men but ALSO women as it pertains to the idea of brother/sisterhood. The word soror was avoided at that time, and it didn't really catch on until later (not to mention the etymological connection is less pronounced).
Today, all Greek-letter music organizations are called fraternities. Although we only initiate women at the college-level, we initiate both men and women as Distinguished Members.
Is ΣAI a sorority, professional organization, honor society...?
Not quite, to any of the above actually.
As mentioned before, we were originally a sorority. Our founders believed that a sisterhood (but not "just another social sorority" as founder Minnie Davis promised Albert Stanley, the head of the University School of Music in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the time) best suited their goals and ideals.
Over the years we've been a "National Musical Sorority", a "National Professional Musical Sorority", a "National Musical Fraternity", and an "International Musical Fraternity for Women". That latter title served us fine until the 1970's when the Title IX legislation was introduced. Under Title IX, organizations that discriminated by sex would not be allowed on college campuses (in other words, we'd have to admit men). This affected not only us but other special interest Greek-lettered organizations and groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, etc.
Finally in 1981 after years of struggle with the government, we received a letter regarding our status. The letter explained that since "SAI does not restrict its new members to students majoring or minoring in music...[and] its primary purposes are to conduct activities to foster interest in music with a cultural, not a professional, objective, and to promote social contact among women sharing an interest in music as a cultural pursuit", we are considered a social fraternity for the purposes of Title IX, and thereby exempt.
We held membership in the Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) at that time and still do. Our membership is based upon the fact that we are "identified by, or related to a field of study or common interest;" however, we are not technically professional nor honorary.
We endorse some ideas held by the National Panhellenic Conference and National Interfraternity Council (NIC) which serve social Greek-lettered organizations, but we are not members.
We are a member of the National Interfraternity Music Council (NIMC) which serves Greek-lettered musical organizations such as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Delta Omicron, Mu Phi Epsilon, Phi Beta, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma.
At the University of Delaware, we were classified as a Registered Student Organization (RSO) under Activities and Programs for 17 years from our start in 1990 to 2007. Actions were then taken in Fall 2007 to reorganize Greek-lettered RSOs under the Greek system of the university. Following a unanimous chapter vote, we formally became recognized in January 2008 by the university as a Greek organization. We are a sitting member of the Greek Council; however, we are classified as a "Special Interest" group, so we can recruit and train members "our way" rather than like the NPC sororities.
Why Join ΣAI?
People join for all sorts of reasons. Sigma Alpha Iota is an organization which promotes interaction among women who share a passion for music, regardless of whether you are a music major or not. We are a fun-loving group that are active in all areas of campus music and campus life.
In addition to personal encouragement and support (not to mention performance, service, and social opportunities), members may receive scholarships, loans, and awards in many areas and at all levels of music-related study. Sigma Alpha Iota has long been recognized as a leader in the field of music and provides a lifetime of fraternity contact and musical involvement through our extensive alumnae association (i.e. your involvement in the fraternity doesn't have to end after you graduate).
How do I join ΣAI?
All you need to do is attend 2 or more events prior to our formal rush to be considered for a bid to start training. We encourage attending one of our information sessions and at least one of our informal rush events to meet the sisters and find out about the organization. After formal rush, you are then informed about the next step of the process.
What are the requirements?
To be considered for a bid (an invitation to train):
- You must be a full-time student in at least your second semester at UD. This means that freshmen are gladly welcome at all fall rush events (we'd love to get to know you!), but we can't formally give you a bid to train until spring semester.
- You must be enrolled in a music course or have taken at least one credit of music. This means exactly that - you only need one credit. Whether it's an ensemble, private lessons, or a random class you decided to or had to take, they all count!
- You must not have been pledged to another music fraternity within the past academic year, and you may not be a member of Delta Omicron or Mu Phi Epsilon. This is simply a formality from National. We don't have chapters of ∆O or ΜΦΕ at UD, but they do exist elsewhere and sometimes on the same campus as another ΣAI chapter.
- You should have a GPA which is 2.5 or higher
- You must attend at least two events prior to Formal Rush, AND you must attend Formal Rush. This isn't a national requirement like the others, however, this is our rule at Eta Rho. If for some reason you can't attend the required events, you can contact our Vice President Membership, Stephanie (scarlock@udel.edu) and work out a plan.
What is Rush?
Rush is an informal time for prospective Members-in-Training (MITs) to get to know the current sisters, get to know other interested women, and learn more information about the fraternity and the training process. There is absolutely no commitment during Rush, so even if you are unsure about whether to do ΣAI, we strongly encourage you to at least come and check out what it is that we do.
Does ΣAI haze?
Absolutely not, and we are very serious about enforcing this policy.
If at any time you feel uncomfortable, you are encouraged to speak to our Vice President Membership or any other person in the organization about your concerns. MITs are free to leave the process at any point during training.
What is training like?
For more information, visit the Training Process page or feel free to contact or ask any sister.
What would I do as a sister?
As an active member, you are required to participate in two service projects and two musical performances at select fraternity events each semester in addition to paying National and Chapter dues. We also have ample social and fundraising events each month. Attendance at these events are encouraged, but they are not required.