Sigma Sigma Chi, a petitioning affiliate of Sigma Chi Fraternity, is now on the UTM campus.

The group, currently consisting of 15 members, is in the process of becoming an official chapter of Sigma Chi.

While the process is quite lengthy, the group is off to a strong start. A declaration of intent to become a chapter has already been submitted and approved by Sigma Chi headquarters.

The goal is for the group to be initiated as Sigma Chis by the end of 2004. This is a very ambitious, but reasonable goal.

Sigma Sigma Chi has chosen to split all funds raised between two philanthropies.

Thirty percent of proceeds from fund raisers will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network, the official philanthropy of Sigma Chi.

Seventy percent will go to the Martin community. The group has scheduled a citywide scavenger hunt for the spring, along with other activities.

The group has already participated in several activities, both on campus and in the community. The Sigs, in conjunction with Rotaract, trick-or-treated for canned goods at Halloween. The group collected nearly 300 cans for We Care.

Sigma Sigma Chi has also sponsored a car wash and has done various work for Martin residents to raise funds for the group. The group is involved in intramural volleyball and plans to participate in other sports next semester. Sigma Sigma Chi placed third in the ADPi Chili Cook-off.

The primary purpose of Sigma Chi is to promote friendship, justice and learning. The brothers of Sigma Sigma Chi share this same purpose.

A team of Sigma Chi alumni has been assembled to assist the group in its early stages. George Daniel, of Institutional Research, is serving as the group's advisor.

Jamie Frakes, an alumnus from ASU, is serving as pledge educator for the initial pledge class. Will Webb, an alumnus from UT Chattanooga, will be facilitating the recruitment process of the next pledge class.

At the conclusion of the semester, a new pledge class will begin. This second class will be educated by Sigma Sigma Chi's own pledge educator.

Anyone interested in learning more about Sigma Sigma Chi can contact the group by e-mail at sigmasigmachi@yahoo.com.

For more information on Sigma Sigma Chi chapter information, check out their Web site at www.sigmachi.org.