Who we are

For 125 years, Delta Sig has been committed to building a membership experience grounded in culture, harmony and friendship. Discover our founding, purpose, and continued commitment to building better men.

Founding Purpose Principles Membership Path Next Era

Founding Purpose

Delta Sig was founded 125 years ago, on the belief that men of different religious backgrounds could not only coexist, but grow with and learn from one another. Since 1899, our fraternity has unified thousands of members committed to improving themselves, their families, communities, countries and world in a positive way.

Core Principles

Building on years of rich tradition and learned experience, Delta Sig continues to value the same core principles that our founders believed in. Learn about our fraternity’s commitment to fostering culture, harmony and friendship.
Culture acceptance of diverse backgrounds

Delta Sigma Phi values a culture of diversity and equality. This means that every member is valued and respected, regardless of their background. The fraternity is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels like they belong. This might be important to you if...

  • You believe that everyone should be treated fairly and with respect.

  • You enjoy learning about and celebrating different cultures.

  • You are open to sharing your own culture and beliefs.

We believe a culture of diversity and equality is essential for building a strong and vibrant community—in both our brotherhood and our lives outside Delta Sig.

Harmony unity and cohesion among members

Delta Sigma Phi values harmony among its chapters and members. This means that the fraternity strives to create a positive and supportive environment where everyone feels connected and included. The fraternity is committed to fostering a sense of unity and cohesion within its brothers. This might be important to you if...

  • You enjoy being part of a team and working towards common goals.

  • You value strong relationships with others.

  • You want to be part of a community that is supportive and welcoming.

We believe harmony is essential for building a positive and impactful fraternal experience—during our college years and beyond.

Friendship the unbreakable bond of brotherhood

Delta Sigma Phi helps build lifelong friendships between its members. As a fraternity, we strive to create an environment where members form strong and lasting bonds with one another. We're committed to fostering a sense of brotherhood and support for both undergrad and alumni members. This might be important to you if...

  • You value people who will support you, and want to support others, too.

  • You value lifelong friendships, throughout and beyond college years.

  • You want to be part of a community that is based on trust and respect.

We believe strong friendships and brotherhood are some of the greatest treasures that life has to offer.

Membership Journey

Over time, the member experience offered by Delta Sig has continued to evolve, with our founding principles as a consistent guiding light. Our members join a path taken by thousands of men, all making the most of three distinct phases.

The journey begins with an introductory New Member phase. This is the starting point for all of our members, as they get to know the other men in their chapter, discover the fraternity's rich history, explore the resources and leadership opportunities we offer, and learn to thrive in a fraternal atmosphere.

Highlights for New Members include:

  • A six-week educational period, led by chapter officers

  • Mentorship program with an older member of the chapter

  • Guest speakers who have helpful insight to share

  • Introductory leadership programs at the national level

For the majority of their undergraduate years, our members are Initiated Members. This stage typically begins about halfway through a New Member's first term, culminating toward an enlightening initiation that grants full, lifelong membership in the fraternity.

Initiated members gain access to many new opportunities, such as:

  • Eligible to run for office within the chapter

  • Apply for flagship leadership programs at the national level

  • Attend our biennial national convention

  • Voting on chapter and national-level affairs

Membership in Delta Sigma Phi is for life, meaning our Alumni Members continue to reap the benefits of fraternity well after graduation. Once a member becomes an alumnus of their college or university, they also become an alumnus of Delta Sigma Phi.

At this stage, and for the rest of their lives, members enjoy many benefits:

  • Join their fellow chapter alumni in the local Alumni Chapter

  • Connect with other Delta Sigs via regional Alumni Associations

  • Attend our biennial national convention, potentially as a voting delegate

  • Volunteer as a chapter advisor, commissioner, facilitator or board member

  • Give back to the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation to ensure success for the next generation

Our Next Era

Guided by our founding principles, Delta Sigma Phi has consistently redefined the concept of fraternity for more than 125 years. At our 2025 Convention, we unveiled our vision and strategy for the future of Delta Sigma Phi—our Next Era.

For more than 125 years, Delta Sigma Phi has challenged itself to redefine what fraternity can be.

Guided by our founding principles, Delta Sig has continually evolved to meet the needs of its members and the communities they serve. At the 67th Biennial Convention in 2025, delegates from across the country adopted a new strategic plan designed to guide the Fraternity through its next decade of growth and impact.

Known as the Next Era, this plan establishes a clear vision for the future of Delta Sigma Phi while honoring our enduring commitments to the welfare of men, the bulwarks of democracy, and our nation's school systems.

Over the next decade, we will strengthen the member experience, expand our impact, and create new opportunities for brothers to build relationships, pursue education, launch careers, and embrace service.

Together, we are building a Delta Sigma Phi that is stronger, more connected, and better prepared to serve future generations.

Our Mission
Delta Sigma Phi builds lifelong relationships that inspire and develop men of good character.

Our Vision
Delta Sigma Phi will become the greatest launchpad for men pursuing educational, professional, and civic success.

Read the Strategic Plan

Our pillars

Every strategy traces back to four core pillars.

The six strategies define how we will achieve our vision. The four pillars define the member experience we are working to create.

Together, they serve as the foundation of the Next Era and the future of Delta Sigma Phi.

Build Relationships

Our members will build lifelong friendships and strong social connections.
Pursue Education

Our members will pursue educational and leadership opportunities.
Launch Careers

Our members will establish networks that launch meaningful careers.
Embrace Service

Our members will serve their communities to create positive change.

Strategies

Six strategies. One decade. A fraternity at its best.
Launch groundbreaking programs that accelerate members toward our vision.

  • Launch groundbreaking programs that accelerate members toward our vision.

  • Refresh the Leadership Institute so that it maintains its status as the most significant launchpad for campus leadership.

  • Establish a Career Accelerator that prepares our most ambitious professionals for success.

  • Establish a Civic Engagement Institute that drives social change through public interest work.

  • Deliver versions of each flagship program to every undergraduate chapter with new chapter retreats and individual experiences.

Mobilize leaders in every undergraduate and alumni chapter.

  • Introduce officer training certifications for undergraduate and alumni chapters, advisors, and alumni corporation board members.

  • Provide facilitated executive officer retreats to every chapter, every year.

  • Refresh the Cycyota Volunteer Institute curriculum to increase program frequency and impact.

Cultivate communities that prioritize holistic health and eliminate hazing.

  • Introduce “Courage & Culture” workshops and retreats on the topics of (1) alcohol and other drugs, (2) hazing prevention, (3) mental health, (4) sexual misconduct, (5) addiction, and (6) peer accountability.

  • Launch a national new member education program that onboards new members to the “Next Era” vision and eliminates hazing from every aspect of the joining process.

  • Provide social event support services that improve member and guest satisfaction while reducing the role of alcohol and other drugs.

Strengthen membership for both undergraduates and alumni.

  • Invest in active chapters that have the greatest capacity for growth.

  • Develop new chapters with a priority for redeveloping dormant chapters.

  • Launch the “at-large” chapter to create new pathways for membership.

  • Establish highly engaged alumni chapters and associations throughout the United States.

  • Introduce an active alumni membership model with new membership benefits.

Preserve, protect, and develop the most sought-after properties on every campus.

  • Launch educational programs dedicated to property management.

  • Provide property management and financial services to support alumni corporation boards and undergraduate chapters.

  • Introduce Delta Sigma Phi branded properties that facilitate the “Next Era” vision.

  • Partner with the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation to facilitate capital campaigns and facility upgrades.

Inspire charitable giving that makes the “Next Era” possible.

  • Create an endowment that ensures every “Next Era” flagship program is delivered at no additional cost to undergraduate members.

  • Build every chapter’s leadership fund to ensure every chapter can deliver on “Next Era” initiatives at the chapter level.

  • Establish a National archive that shares Delta Sigma Phi’s story and its place in our nation’s history.

  • Build a National headquarters facility that serves as a working office, museum, and retreat center for generations of future members.

Primary Goals

How we measure success, by 2035

Achieving our vision will require focus, investment, and commitment from brothers across every chapter and generation. The Next Era Strategic Plan is built around these six strategic priorities that will guide our work through 2035 and drive us toward these key goals.

6,000
Undergraduate and alumni members participating in leadership and development programs each year
17,000
Active undergraduate and alumni members — helping Delta Sigma Phi reach 150,000 lifetime members
100%
of chapters operating in facilities that meet Delta Sigma Phi standards
$1,000,000
granted annually to support programs and initiatives that advance the Next Era vision