The fundamental purpose of the Sigma Chi Fraternity is to cultivate an
 appreciation of and commitment to the ideals of friendship, justice and
 learning. These ideals and objectives have been at the heart of Sigma
 Chi since its founding by seven men at Miami University in Oxford,
 Ohio, on June 28,1855. These seven men believed that the principles
 they professed were but imperfectly realized in other fraternal
 organizations. Although this vision of Sigma Chi was based upon the
 notion of shared ideals, they believed that true brotherhood would thrive
 best among men of different temperaments, talents and convictions.
 These purposes are captured in the Preamble to the Constitution of
 1856:

      Believing that many advantages are to be derived from a
      secret fraternity organization; appreciating that closer
      communion of kindred hearts which adds so many incentives
      to virtuous exertion; and feeling that there is union in
      strength; We do hereby form ourselves into an association
      for the development of the nobler powers of the mind, the
      finer feelings of the heart, and for the promotion of
      friendship and congeniality of feeling.

 These guiding principles, unchanged for well over a century, continue to
 define the essence of Sigma Chi.