» Iota Zeta History

Understanding the Times of the Founding

Sigma Chi Fraternity
Iota  Zeta Chapter

1985

• A University task force determines that a full-time professional is needed to maintain standards with fraternity and sorority community.  Relations between fraternities and permanent village residents are strained.  Several high profile hazing episodes have taken place in recent years.  Although some Clarkson women are members of local sororities at Potsdam State, the recognition of these organizations is terminated.  Emphasis is placed on the further development of Clarkson sororities that are affiliated with national/international organizations.
• Craig Peterson is hired as the initial Greek Affairs Coordinator and arrives on campus in October.  Craig is a Sigma Chi from the Beta Rho Chapter at Montana State University where 2400 men have been initiated since 1917.  Peterson served as Consul, Rush Chair, and IFC Vice President.  He received his M.S. in Higher Education from Miami University of Ohio.  He previously worked at the University of Oregon with many of the strongest national/international Greek organizations, including the Beta Iota Chapter chartered in 1910.  He presided over four initiations and a ritual exemplification for over 500 alumni during the chapter’s 65th anniversary in 1982.
• Once on campus, Peterson promptly meets Peter Radosta.  He is impressed with this RA with the memorable accent and asks if he is in a fraternity.   He says that he has no interest which raises a red flag for Peterson.  Peterson soon meets a number of outstanding men who are not affiliated with any of the 14 fraternities on campus but do not want to join any of the existing organizations with their “group” mentality.  Peterson sees definite room for an additional fraternity or two to raise campus standards. 
• Peterson communicates with all national/international organizations with chapters at Clarkson and requests additional supports for their chapters.  Several weeks later the chapter president for Delta Sigma Phi indicates that a national rep is coming to campus and wants to see a ritualistic chapter meeting.  The chapter has not used their ritual is recent memory and asks for guidance on approaching national representative.   Peterson realizes that many of the national fraternity chapters are acting like local organizations.  Most of their houses are is total disrepair and fire traps.
• Fraternities on campus are Alpha Chi Rho, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Beta Tau (Local), Delta Sigma Phi, Delta Upsilon, Omicron Pi Omicron (Local, oldest organization founded in 1902), Phi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Delta (Local), Tau Delta Kappa (Local, formerly a chapter of Triangle), Tau Epsilon Phi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi (first national/international organization on campus in 1951), Theta Xi, Zeta Nu.
• Strongest organizations in terms of academics, membership size, chapter operations, and campus involvement are Alpha Chi Rho and Delta Sigma Phi.  Delta Upsilon, Omicron Pi Omicron, Phi Kappa Sigma, Tau Delta Kappa, and Tau Epsilon Phi show potential.  Alpha Epsilon Pi, Beta Tau, Sigma Delta, Theta Chi, and Theta Xi are little more than drinking clubs.
• Peterson begins dinner visits to all chapters and does research on each chapter.  He quickly sees that he knows more about the chapters than most of the members.  With support of administration, Peterson develops clear operating standards for chapters (a generic version of Sigma Chi’s Peterson Significant Chapter Award).  A handful of chapters are openly hostile to Peterson.
• Peterson reaches out to the Sigma Chi’s Epsilon Iota Chapter at St. Lawrence University and agrees to be chapter advisor.  He attends first chapter meeting, but ritual is not being used at all.  Peterson works extensively with chapter to improve operations.  Some of the members respond; others do not.  The chapter is eventually closed after Sigma Chi Iota is installed.  When the chapter was installed in the 1953, it was one of the strongest at St. Lawrence.  Alumni support for the chapter was next to zero.
• After his first semester, Peterson sees that many chapters are operating as drinking clubs and little more.  True brotherhood is shallow in a number of organizations.   Group think is extremely prevalent.  Adherence to ritualistic standards and founding principles is sorely lacking across the board.  Changing the culture will be extremely difficult.  Peterson considers leaving Clarkson after one semester but decides to wait another semester before making final decision.

1986

• The Panhellenic Council, consisting of Phi Sigma Sigma and Phi Mu, votes to add a third national sorority.  The three finalists are Alpha Omicron Pi, Delta Zeta, and Sigma Sigma Sigma.  Delta Zeta is chosen with the understanding that all 30 women in the interest group would be invited to join the colony.  A  National Sorority expansion team spends a week on campus in the February, and 75 women are invited to join the colony.  The entire campus is shocked with this powerful new organization, and many make quick criticisms.  The new sorority instantly raises the bar for all organizations.
• New officers for the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council embrace Peterson’s vision for advancing the Clarkson Greek system.  As chapters elect new officers, Peterson promptly meets with them to share vision.  With renewed hope of positive, Peterson decides to remain at Clarkson.
• The long tradition of “beer blasts” in which Clarkson and Potsdam State fraternities and sororities sponsor large-scale outdoor alcohol events and charge money comes to an end.
• To deal with chapter infractions to Clarkson code of conduct, Peterson establishes a peer review board to make recommendations to Dean of Students.  Theta Chi is first fraternity called before board after a hazing incident.  The entire chapter appears and is questioned for two hours by a panel of students, an administrator, and a faculty member.  Peer review board develops a list of sanctions and Dean of Students approves them.  The fraternity community gains praise for disciplining a fellow chapter. 
• After several Theta Chi members threaten to physical harm Peterson for ruining Clarkson fraternities, Peterson invites himself to dinner and engages in three hour dialogue with members.  Some trust is established, but Peterson is reminded to “watch his back.”
• Greek Life Guides are selected to help students move into residence halls and promote fraternities and sororities.  The program is a huge success.  Fall recruitment numbers increase dramatically.
• The Xi Rho Chapter of Delta Zeta is installed in October with 75 charter members.  A chapter with strong national ties now exists on campus.
• Six RAs:  Bob Andrews, Bryan Dodson, Peter Graham, Bob Kerr, Peter Radosta, and Chris Tonzi are invited to a meeting with Craig Peterson to discuss the formation of a new fraternity on campus.  Since the six had never previously met to discuss fraternity membership nor were they all close friends, Peterson persuades them to work together to bring a new fraternity to campus with similar high standards as Delta Zeta. The group is given the choice of 60 national/international organizations.  
• Peterson shares his Norman Shield.  The group is impressed with “Spirit of Sigma Chi” in which men of different temperaments, talents, and convictions can work together in a chapter.  Peterson explains that a new fraternity chapter can be a true fraternity and dispel the “gang” mentality on campus.  He emphasizes that a “chapter” and a “house” are not the same thing and that a new organization can survive without a house.  
• He sees a hungry look in several of the men’s eyes and knows that they are hooked.  Peterson further explains that Sigma Chi has one of the most extensive procedures for establishing a new chapter.  Process will take one to two years.  Tonzi withdraws from the group.  Peterson indicates that he is a Sigma Chi but reminds the group that they are free to choose.
• The remaining five meet together and inform Peterson of their interest in developing a Sigma Chi chapter at Clarkson.
• The five meet with Grand Praetor J.B. Allen and Director of Undergraduate Services Peter Reis who are visiting the problematic chapter at St. Lawrence.  The five men form Sigma Chi Iota.  The initial Declaration of Intent to form a Petitioning Local must contain at least 20 members.  The name Sigma (Scholarship) Chi (Character) Iota (Individuality) is chosen.
• Nineteen additional members are recruited before the end of the semester to bring the membership size to 24.   Todd Demko becomes the first freshman to affiliate with Sigma Chi Iota.

1987

• In January, Sigma Chi Iota submits it Declaration of Intent to the General Fraternity.  The Declaration of Intent is nearly voided because bylaws and chapter goals were not submitted due to a lack of communication.  With some prodding from Craig Peterson, a staff member at headquarters finds a sample set of bylaws and adds the name Sigma Chi Iota.  He and Peterson draft a set of goals over the telephone.  The General Fraternity executive committee approves the Declaration of Intent and recognizes Sigma Chi Iota.  If the Declaration of Intent had not been approved, Sigma Chi Iota would never have been installed in Spring Semester 1988.
• In late January, Sigma Chi Iota participates in first IFC recruitment period with other fraternities and adds 16 additional members.  This is the largest pledge class.  Membership now stands at 40.  Sigma Chi Iota struggles to gain respect from other fraternities on campus.  Peterson meets with numerous chapter members who are tempted to be like other fraternities.   He hears their concerns and challenges them to think outside the box.  Chapter struggles to develop a unified vision.  Many opinions are heard and respected.  The men of Sigma Chi Iota realize that becoming a successful fraternity is more difficult than anyone imagined.
• Greek Week is established with each fraternity and sorority sponsoring event during the week.  Most events are held on the hill campus to promote awareness among freshmen.
• In September, Sigma Chi participates in initial Greek Week celebration and wins competition with narrow victory in Puddle Pull (tug of war). Puddle Pull was considered the strength event of the overall week.  Winning this event boosted the esteem of Sigma Chi Iota members.  They no longer feel like a “junior” fraternity on campus.
• During second IFC recruitment period in September, 16 men are selected and become the first official pledges of Sigma Chi Iota.   This once again is the largest pledge class.  Membership is now 56.  Sigma Chi Iota is third largest chapter on campus behind Alpha Chi Rho and Delta Sigma Phi.  The internal organization is slowly coming together.
• In October eight members attend the Ontario-Quebec-St. Lawrence Province Conference at McGill.  Grand Consul Thomas Bell is in attendance, and the Clarkson Sigma Chi Iotas leave a strong first impression with this long-time volunteer from Mississippi.  This positive impression would make a big difference when the General Fraternity Executive Meeting approves Sigma Chi Iota’s Formal Petition along with three others.  This time was one of the largest growth periods in the history of Sigma Chi.
• Theta Xi appears before peer recognition board after a hazing incident.  Board meets a number of times before recommending loss of recognition.  Dean of Students endorses recommendation.  Theta Xi loses university recognition.  Members can no longer live in Market Street chapter house which used to house the Snell family.  One of the Snell daughters married into Cheel family.  Snell and Cheel families eventually pay to have house demolished.  Interestingly, Clarkson was actively courting Cheel during this time for major donation to Cheel Student Center on hill campus.
• Theta Xi is folding and Sigma Chi is forming.  Two extremes are seen.  Sigma Chi Iota has gained acceptance from most in the Greek  and campus community.  Other chapters realize that the organization is going to succeed.
• In November Peterson and second Sigma Chi Iota Consul Bob Kerr works on Formal Petition after students leave for Thanksgiving break.  Chapter officers have done an adequate job with their reports, but Peterson tells Kerr that nothing can be left to chance with so many Formal Petitions being considered at the General Fraternity’s January 1988 Executive Committee meeting.  Peterson and Kerr work on petition for over nine hours before shipping 15 copies off to headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.

1988

• In January, during third IFC recruitment period, 12 men are pledged (fourth highest for the semester).  The chapter is realizing that recruitment is not an easy process.  The previous two pledges classes came with less effort.  Sigma Chi Iota was now competing head-to-head for second semester freshmen with other campus fraternities for the first time.  The membership now stands at 68, the largest of any fraternity on campus.
• Fraternity membership is approaching 40 percent of male students.  Over 60 percent of female students are involved in Delta Zeta, Phi Mu and Phi Sigma Sigma.  Both Delta Zeta and Phi Sigma Sigma have over 80 members.  Phi Mu has nearly 60.  Delta Zeta and Sigma Chi Iota have raised the bar in the Greek community.  The all-fraternity grade point average exceeds the all men’s grade point average for the first time since Peterson arrived.
• The General Fraternity Executive Committee approves four Formal Petitions.  Sigma Chi Iota is the youngest.  Two chapters will be installed in the coming three months and two more in the fall.  Ray Veillet is serving as Director of Expansion, and Peterson calls him to push for Sigma Chi Iota’s installation in the spring before 20 seniors graduate.  Veillet served as Beta Iota Consul at the University of Oregon, and Peterson knew him from his time working there.  After some arm twisting from Peterson, Veillet agrees to place Sigma Chi Iota is first group.
• Several members of the former Theta Xi organization accuse Sigma Chi Iota of hazing its pledges during its I-Week activities in Woodstock Lodge.  Since Peterson was accused of participating in the hazing, University officials interview a number of members.  Investigation eventually ends.  Theta Xi members are never disciplined for lying.
• Rensselear (Delta Psi) is chosen as primary installing chapter.  McGill (Gamma Lambda) is secondary installing chapter.  St. Lawrence (Epsilon Iota) will serve a support role only since chapter is in disarray.  Peterson is chosen as Ritual Director and travels to Troy to coach Delta Psi Chapter on ritual presentation.  Chapter is cooperative and shows potential for flawless performance.  Peterson praises chapter members and reminds that they performance needs to be near perfect.
• Peterson works with four headquarters staff members to plan I-Week.  Initiating 68 undergraduate and three alumni will not be easy.  Finding alumni interviewers is a challenge, but Peterson finally finds enough men.  Peterson recruits Frank McDonald who ironically later becomes Grand Praetor.  Peterson invites Mauri Novak to Potsdam to assist him.  Novak was Beta Rho Consul after Peterson and will serve as Peterson’s right hand man to make sure all details are covered.
• The day before installation, Veillet becomes violently ill with intestinal parasite and is rushed to hospital.   Peterson takes over Veillet’s duties, in addition to his own, and doesn’t sleep for 48 hours.  After final ceremony in which Peterson and Grand Consul T. Bell pin all 71 charter members, Peterson collapses from exhaustion in Veillet’s hospital room and almost misses chartering banquet.
• Since Iota Zeta’s chartering, a number of chapters have folded:  Alpha Epsilon, Beta Tau, Delta Upsilon, Sigma Delta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi, and Theta Xi.   Sigma Phi Epsilon, who tried unsuccessfully to work with a local fraternity in the 1960s, takes the campus by storm in a similar manner to Sigma Chi Iota.  Second semester freshmen are no longer allowed to join.  The percentage of fraternity men drops from nearly 40 percent to around 15 percent.  Obviously, a number of quality men are not joining Clarkson fraternities.
• Will Sigma Chi continue to flourish?  Will another new fraternity come to campus and increase competition?  Will Delta Upsilon return to its position of prominence in the 60s and 70s?  Will Iota Zeta continue to raise the bar and attract the finest men on campus?