# Sigma Phi

The Sigma Phi Society (ΣΦ) is the second Greek fraternal organization founded in the United States and the first to establish a chapter at another college, making it the first national Greek organization.

## History

The Sigma Phi Society (ΣΦ) was founded on March 4, 1827, on the campus of Union College as a part of the Union Triad in Schenectady, New York. Its founders were:
* Samuel W. Beall
* Thomas Fielder Bowie
* Rev. R. H. Chapman
* Hon. Charles T. Cromwell
* George N. Porter
* Hon. Charles N. Rowley.
The Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi at Union College has been in continuous operation since its founding, making it the oldest continuously running fraternity chapter in the United States.
In 1831, Beta of New York was established at Hamilton College, making the society the first Greek fraternal organization in the United States to establish a chapter at another college. Thus, Sigma Phi Society is the first National Greek Organization in the United States.
Sigma Phi is a founding member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.

## Symbols

The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as a secret society.
The Sigma Phi badge is a monogram with a jeweled Σ directly over a Φ that is either plain or chased. It was designed by Charles N. Rowley, founder of the Beta of New York chapter. In 1879, Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities stated that the badge was royal purple. Since 1879, the badge has been produced mainly in gold.
The society's colors are azure and argent. Its motto is Esto Perpetua or "Let it be perpetual". Its publication is The Flame.

## Chapters

In the following list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are in italics.
| Chapter | Letter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status |
| Alpha of New York | U | March 4, 1827 | Union College | Schenectady, New York | Active |
| Beta of New York | H | 1831–2019 | Hamilton College | Clinton, New York | Inactive |
| Alpha of Massachusetts | W | 1834–1968 | Williams College | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Inactive |
| Gamma of New York | N | March 4, 1836–March 4, 1848 | New York University | New York City, New York | Inactive |
| Delta of New York | G | August 4, 1840 | Hobart College | Geneva, New York | Active |
| Alpha of Vermont | V | March 4, 1845 | University of Vermont | Burlington, Vermont | Active |
| Alpha of New Jersey | P | 1853–1858 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Alpha of Michigan | M | 1858–2022 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Inactive |
| Alpha of Pennsylvania | L | February 4, 1887–2002 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Epsilon of New York | C | October 4, 1890 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | Active |
| Alpha of Wisconsin | F | October 31, 1908 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | Active |
| Alpha of California | I | September 7, 1912 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | Active |
| Alpha of Virginia | S | 1953 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia | Active |
| Alpha of North Carolina | T | 2008–2019 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Inactive |