Alpha Chi Sigma
Why should I join AXΣ?

Being a member of AXΣ is an enriching experience for students in many fields, including chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, and many others. It can be easy to feel "disconnected" on a campus as big as the U of MN; AX&Sigma can provide you with a sense of community that might be hard to find otherwise. Because our alumni association is so active and involved with the chapter, student members have a valuable opportunity to get to know professionals working in their field of interest. The leadership skills that you will gain will last a lifetime, and so will the friendships you make here. In addition, members benefit from the opportunity to form study groups with each other, and our library has reference materials and class files that can make your studies easier. Rooms in the chapter house are comfortable, affordable, and close to campus; living there is an option that appeals to many of our members.


Isn't a fraternity supposed to be for men only?

Although most fraternities for women call themselves sororities, fraternity is the more general term for a greek letter organization. We are a fraternity in the true sense of the word. AXΣ was founded as a men-only organization in 1902 and was one of the first professional fraternities to open its ranks to women. To this day, both male and female members are referred to as brothers.


What is a Professional Fraternity?

A Professional fraternity chooses its members based on common professional goals and interests. The more common social fraternities choose their members based on common social interests. As a professional chemistry fraternity, AXΣ strives in many ways to promote chemistry and to encourage its members as they pursue careers in chemistry and related fields. We're much more than a social club!


This is interesting and I might want to join. What should I do?

Tell us! Check out the contact page and send us an email or give us a call. Better yet, check out the calendar and come to one of our rush events, if you can. If you like what you see, you can come to an induction and become a pledge. At the end of the semester, Initiation will be held. That's the ceremony in which pledges become full members of AXΣ.


What happens during rush?

Rush occurs during the first few weeks of the semester. It is the recruitment process by which a fraternity finds people who might become pledges. We do class talks during rush, hold informal informational meetings at the house or on campus, and do a number of social events. At the end of rush, we hold an Induction ceremony, in which interested students officially pledge.


What is pledging?

You can join some organizations simply by filling out a form and mailing in your dues. Joining a fraternity is more work. Pledging is a process in which you associate with our fraternity for several months before becoming a member. This gives us a chance to get to know each other before deciding whether you should become a full member.


Can I pledge?

Any University of Minnesota student who is going to take or has taken at least one chemistry class is eligible to join. This means almost all science and engineering students are qualified. It's great to pledge early in your college career, but you can pledge during any semester, including as a graduate student. We usually conduct pledging in both the fall and spring semesters.


How much of a time commitment is pledging?

Several hours a week. We have mandatory pledge meetings once a week and a small amount of time will be required outside of meetings every week. In addition, we hope you will want to attend our academic, professional, and social events! These generally occur once a week or less, and if you have an unavoidable conflict, we'll understand. Just remember: the more you get involved, the more fun you will have! The time commitment is more than that to join some clubs, but much less than that to join a social fraternity. We will not wake you up at 5am to do push ups!


What will I do as a pledge?

As a pledge you will have a "big brother", an active member to act as mentor and help you through the pledging process. You have to learn a little about the fraternity and alchemy (yes, you will be quizzed). Mostly, though, you will be having fun and learning what brotherhood is all about. The pledges are in charge of organizing a Pledge Party at the house. With the help of their big brothers, pledges get to make their own axe out of wood and get it signed by chemisty professors. At the end of the pledge process is Initiation Weekend, when pledges get to sleep over and participate in a scavenger hunt and many other activities.


Do I have to live in the house?

No, you don't. But if you want to, as a member you'll get priority over non-members, and you'll receive a substantial discount in rent and parking.


Is it expensive to join?

No! AXΣ costs much less than most social fraternities do. There is a small fee for pledging, a one-time membership fee to pay before Initiation, and active members pay dues each semester. If you choose to live at the chapter house, all these fees will pay for themselves in much less than a year through the discounted rent and parking rates. A creative group of pledges can easily cover all their fees with a fundraiser, if they're so inclined. Our Alumni Association is also able to help students in need, so don't worry!


Is AXΣ only at the U of MN?

No. AXΣ has about 50 collegiate chapters throughout the country. One of the coolest parts about the fraternity is visiting another chapter or meeting brothers from a different part of the country. It can be surprising to see how much we all have in common.


Can I join another frat/sorority if I join AXΣ?

If you join AXΣ, you cannot join another professional fraternity, but you are welcome to join social fraternities and sororities.


I'm a grad student. Why would I want to associate with undergrads?

Well, first of all, we are not only undergrads. Many of our members are graduate students. If fact, many professors are also AXΣ brothers (including some with Nobel prizes). Since we are a professional fraternity, we also have an active presence in industry and a number of professional chapters. AXΣ is not just for undergrads, it's for life.

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