don’t

We

rush

Recognize!

We

rush

Logo combining a stylized blue gear with a white Greek letter sigma in the center.

curious
catalysts
visionaries
outliers

The

And the keystone

The men of the Sigma Phi Society are a collection of rare, restless minds and ambitious thinkers who believe college should be exhilarating. Who take their pursuits seriously, but never themselves. We bring relentless drive and a pursuit of excellence, pushing each other to be sharper and bolder while sharing the kind of effortless camaraderie you only find once in a lifetime. WE GATHER MEN WHO HOLD THEMSELVES TO A HIGHER STANDARD, but know that THE REAL MAGIC IS DOING IT TOGETHER. We don’t just share a space, we light it up. We live together, challenge each other, and build the kind of deep, unapologetic brotherhood where life is exciting, ideas run wild, and three years are genuinely unforgettable.

We don’t recruit. We recognize… the men who bring the spark, who elevate the room, and who bring the house to life.

Three years at ONE FOREST PARK LANE.

A foundation that SHAPES THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

We don’t recruit. We recognize… the men who lead the charge, elevate a room, and bring the house alive.

Three years at ONE FOREST PARK LANE.

A BROTHERHOOD THAT LASTS A LIFETIME!

A black-and-white class photo of young men in suits arranged in rows outside a brick building.

A brotherhood that lasts a lifetime!

A brotherhood that lasts a lifetime!

Guiding

Principles

Fellowship

THE BONDS OF BROTHERHOOD THAT UNITE SIGMA PHI SOCIETY MEN ACROSS GENERATIONS

A diverse group of six young men posing on a basketball court outdoors, with some sitting and some standing, smiling and looking at the camera.

A group of individuals only becomes a brotherhood when they commit to authentic connection over casual acquaintance. This lifelong bond is earned through absolute acceptance, mutual trust, and the grit to hold each other accountable by speaking hard truths and standing loyal through conflict. True brotherhood means showing up daily to move past surface-level social ties to forge relationships that outlast our time at Cornell.

Leadership

LEAD WITHOUT A TITLE. FOLLOW WITHOUT EGO. ELEVATE THE MEN AROUND YOU.

Three young men sitting at a table engaged in conversation, with a background of a modern cafe or workspace with wooden walls and hanging lights.

A group of individuals only becomes a force for good when each man accepts responsibility for the direction of his own life and the lives he touches. Leadership is not defined by titles, authority, or position, but by the discipline to know yourself, the courage to step forward, and the humility to fall in behind a brother when his moment comes. True leadership means being ready to lead and ready to follow, holding yourself to a standard worth following, elevating those around you, and developing the discernment, resilience, and character to lead within our house, in our community, and throughout our lives.

Scholarship

Three students sitting on the grass under a tree on a college campus, studying and reading books with backpacks and notebooks around them.

Exceptional men don't wait to be asked to exceed expectations. They challenge themselves and each other to think more deeply and question more boldly. True scholarship means treating intellectual excellence as a standard rather than an achievement, pursuing ideas with restless curiosity, and continually expanding our knowledge, sharpening our thinking, and becoming more capable, thoughtful, and well-rounded men.

Service

A man and a boy sitting at a table in a library, studying together with open books and notebooks.

A brotherhood only earns its standing when its members look beyond personal ambition, taking active ownership of the world around them to drive meaningful impact. Real service rejects passive obligations, mandated hours, and surface-level charity in favor of the discipline to leave every environment better than we found it. True service means deploying our time, energy, and resources toward our campus and broader community, leveraging our collective strength to elevate others and contribute to something far larger than ourselves.

Ethos

Group of young men in formal attire posing for a photo outside a brick building with an arched entrance.

A group of individuals only becomes a brotherhood when truth lives inside it first, before it’s ever asked to live outside it. Ethos is not a value we post, but the courage to make the hard call and the integrity to do what we said we’d do, even when it’s inconvenient and no one is watching. True ethos means taking responsibility for your actions and the actions of your brothers, standing for what’s right over what’s popular, and becoming a man whose character outlasts his time at One Forest Park Lane.

Four men in suits smiling and holding drinks at a social gathering.

Curious about where Sigma Phi can take you?

Explore the careers, industries, and graduate schools that define the reach of our alumni network, or discover the brothers who have built remarkable lives beyond Cornell.

?

-- Brotherhood: See Where We've Gone --
-- Brothers Beyond the Hill: See It for Yourself --
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Since most of us are parents ourselves, we care deeply about the safety and development of our brothers, and want you to have the information you need too.

Click for parent-specific information.

Parents

The

Culture

Emphasis on developing future CEOs, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders through hands-on experience and mentorship.

  • The Sigma Phi Society chapter consistently maintains above-average GPAs and provide extensive academic support programs for members.

    • Study groups and tutoring resources

    • Course selection guidance from upperclassmen

    • Test banks and academic materials library

    • Graduate school application support

    • Chapter officer positions with real responsibilities

    • Student government and campus leadership roles

    • Philanthropy and community service leadership

    • Alumni board and advisory positions

    • Exclusive networking events with alumni executives

    • Internship and job placement assistance

    • Industry-specific mentorship programs

    • Professional skills workshops and seminars

    • Formal events at premier venues

    • Beach trips and outdoor adventures

    • Access to entertainment industry events

    • Mixers with top sororities

The

Process

Fraternity recruitment, also known as “Rush,” is managed by the Interfraternity Council’s Spring Recruitment process. 

Students who wish to participate in Interfraternity Council Spring Recruitment must arrive on campus the week prior to the start of the Spring 2027 semester, January dates TBD.

Register for recruiting. It’s a structured process that occurs over a 7 to 10 day period.  Rush is designed for you to meet different fraternities and fraternity members and for them to meet you.  All fraternities follow a similar schedule of events.

  • Recruitment is the ongoing process by which fraternities introduce themselves to prospective members this happens 365 days a year. 

    Rush recruitment season is a two-week period at the beginning of each semester), during which you are invited to visit chapters and learn what each group has to offer.

  • Recruitment, better known as rush, is a period of time at the beginning of every semester when Greek-life organizations (fraternities, sororities, and co-ed fraternities) try to recruit members. There are no obligations or commitments involved with rush, and it is completely cost-free to you.

    For us, rush is not a sales pitch. It's how we get to know you and how you get to know us. Come to a few events. Meet the brothers. Ask us anything.

    We don’t Rush. We Recognize. That takes time on both sides, and this is where it starts.

    Show up. Be yourself!

  • A Potential New Member (PNM) is any Cornell student who has officially registered for recruitment through the university. This designation does not guarantee a bid it simply indicates that you are participating in the formal process.

  • Fraternities do not require letters of recommendation. However, if you have friends or family connections to any chapters, it is encouraged to utilize those relationships. Keep in mind that a letter of recommendation does not guarantee a bid.

  • A bid is a formal invitation from the Sigma Phi Society to become a new member. Think of it as a golden ticket, your official welcome into the brotherhood. You’ll typically receive a bid at the end of Primary Recruitment Week, after multiple rounds of events and mutual selection between PNMs (Potential New Members) and the chapter.

  • During recruitment, you’ll meet brothers from Sigma Phi Society through several rounds:

    • Open House / Welcome Round

    • Philanthropy Round

    • Brotherhood Round

    • Preference Night

    Each round gives you another opportunity to get to know the brothers and the Society, while our members get to know you. You’ll have the opportunity to decide whether Sigma Phi is the right fit for you, and we’ll get to know the men who may be the right fit for Sigma Phi Society.

    At the end of the recruitment process, Sigma Phi Society will extend bids to a select group of men we recognize as potential brothers.

    Key tip: Be genuine. Sigma Phi Society is looking for men who are a great fit for our values and brotherhood, not simply someone who checks the right boxes.

  • Bid Day is the culmination of fraternity recruitment. It is when Sigma Phi Society extends formal bids to the men it has recognized as potential brothers and welcomes them into the next stage of their journey with the Society.

    Expect:

    • A celebration with brothers, food, music, and plenty of photos

    • Time to celebrate with the men receiving bids and the brothers of Sigma Phi

    • Your first opportunity to begin building relationships with the men who will become your pledge class and, ultimately, your brothers

    Bid Day is more than the end of recruitment. It is the beginning of your journey toward becoming a Sigma Phi brother.

    Pro tip: Come ready to celebrate, meet more brothers, and enjoy the moment. You only get one Bid Day.

  • Once you accept your bid:

    • You officially become a new member of Sigma Phi Society

    • You’ll begin attending events, meetings, and new member education sessions

    • You’ll begin building relationships with your new member class and the brothers of Sigma Phi

    • You’ll eventually go through initiation, becoming a full member of the Society and a Sigma Phi brother for life

    This is where your experience with Sigma Phi really begins. You’ll build friendships, take on new responsibilities, participate in service and social events, and begin developing the relationships and leadership skills that will stay with you long after college.

  • Bid Day is a celebration, so come dressed in something comfortable and appropriate for spending time with the brothers and celebrating with your new member class.

    • A comfortable T-shirt, polo, or casual button-down

    • Shorts, pants, or casual jeans depending on the weather

    • Comfortable shoes that you can wear throughout the day

    • Keep accessories simple and easy to pair with whatever you receive or wear during the celebration

    Pro tip: Come comfortable and ready to celebrate. Bid Day is about the experience, the people, and the beginning of your journey with Sigma Phi Society, not what you’re wearing.

  • Sigma Phi Society has a new member education program.

    Once you accept a bid, you'll spend the next several weeks getting to know Sigma Phi from the inside. Our history, our values, the traditions that have held this house together for nearly two centuries, and the brothers you'll be living with. It's engaging, it's genuinely fun, and it ends with initiation. The whole process runs no longer than eight weeks.

It’s not just a bid. It’s the beginning.

A bid is more than an invitation to join a fraternity. It is the beginning of your journey as a Sigma Phi brother. It is the beginning of new friendships, new challenges, new experiences, and a brotherhood that can last a lifetime.

Come to recruitment with an open mind. Get to know the brothers. Let us get to know you. Take the time to decide whether Sigma Phi is where you belong, and give us the opportunity to recognize whether you belong here too.

We don’t rush.

We recognize!

2027

Recruitment

If you have any questions in the interim, please reach out to our recruitment chair

Greg Monte
Recruiting coordinator
gregorydmonte@gmail.com

A group of young men dressed in suits gathers outside the Sigma Phi Society building at One Forest Park Lane in Ithaca, New York. The brick building features arched windows and is captured at dusk.