Section I Responsibility to Self Click Once

Code of Conduct I.I will respect the dignity of all persons, and therefore, I will not physically, psychologically or sexually abuse any human being. II.I will respect the rights of property both of others and my own, and therefore, I will not abuse private or community property. III.I will be a financially responsible individual. IV.I will not use nor support the use of illegal drugs. V.I will not abuse nor support the abuse of alcohol. VI.I acknowledge that a clean, safe and attractive environment is essential to both physical and mental health – therefore, I will do all in my power to see that the chapter is properly cleaned and maintained. VII.I will achieve academic excellence. VIII.I will encourage and support my Brothers in pursuing the ideals of this Code Of Conduct. Adopted at the 1988 National Leadership Conference and Convention Click Once

Needless to say, Alpha Sigma Phi would have relatively few problems if each chapter strictly adhered to the Code of Conduct and Risk Management Program. Consequently, each chapter should periodically review the Code of Conduct and the Risk Management Program to determine how they should go about adhering to it. There is another fundamental principle that underlies this process. By striving to become a gentleman and adhering to accepted guidelines such as the Code of Conduct, a Brother is in effect, making a serious reaffirmation of the Ritual. In other words he is actually living the Ritual. Of course, the obvious principle then becomes: if our Brothers sincerely embraced and lived according to the virtues embedded in the Ritual, there would be no need for a code of conduct or a risk management program! Ralph F. Burns (Ohio Wesleyan ’32, Omega ’93), Executive Secretary Emeritus, affectionately known as Mr. Alpha Sig, often provided his wise counsel in one of two basic ways to brothers when they were engaging in debate over chapter problems. If the Brothers were arguing about something mundane and less than critical, he would regularly chime-in with, “What’s that got to do with brotherhood?” which would invariably move the Brotherhood back towards reality and what is really important. However, when the Brothers sought guidance on more serious matters, Brother Burns would typically respond with, “Look to the Ritual. All your answers are there.”

The Ritual is, indeed, a living document. It was written many years ago after careful thought and reflection. And, although, it has been reevaluated and revised over the years, it very much retains the essence of how our founders believed a meaningful life should be lived. In the many years since our Founding, the concept of becoming a gentlemen has never gone out of style. While the reputation of too many Greek organizations has become that of a social drinking club, Alpha Sigma Phi strives to be better than the rest. In 1845, the words associated with being a gentleman, included values such as humility, virtue, honor, and purity. While some of these words may have become somewhat dated, their underlying meanings for a gentleman have not. Virtue and purity, for example, embody the high ideals of conforming one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles, and, at the same time, avoiding those habits and behaviors which debase and disgrace one’s reputation. In the early 1800s, the concept of honor was synonymous with integrity and character, which were the core characteristics of a gentleman. If a gentleman’s honor was challenged, an armed dual between the gentleman and his accuser often resulted. While, fortunately, this style of settling disagreements is no longer legal or acceptable, honor and integrity are still fundamental truths for a person of character, for a gentleman, for an Alpha Sig! ________ ____________________________________ ______________________ Click Once ________ __________________________________________________________ ______________________ Click Once

Another important concept, the meaning of which has evolved over the years, is the concept of secrecy. The early history of fraternities in America was often that of secret literary societies whose very existence depended on brothers maintaining the bond of secrecy since such organizations were banned on most campuses. A very popular movie from the 1980s, Dead Poets; Society, was probably a reasonable depiction of such a secret society. And, likewise, since 1845, the thing that still unites all Alpha Sigs together as Brothers is the Ritual. It has been held to be so sacred, so esoteric, that only the initiated are privy to the exact words and meanings. In protecting that privilege, each Brother maintains a tie to our Founders and to all those Brothers who have gone before us, and to all those who will follow. While Brothers are encouraged to talk about, and more importantly, to live the Fraternity’s principles and values, they must do so without compromising the ceremony and the actual words form the Ritual to the uninitiated. While one can easily identify and discuss all the values of Alpha Sigma Phi, he should not identify any of them as being one of the specific values from the Ritual. ________________________ ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________

As a chapter goes about the business of defining itself as a brotherhood of gentlemen, it has an obligation to insure that its goals and objectives also have a campus or community focus. In so doing, each Brother can begin and continue a habit of charity and service to others that will last a lifetime. Each Brother’s own life and character is enriched as he is privileged to extend a helping hand to others. As it was written in an old Alpha Sig Pledge Manual: Charity toward our fellows, and especially for their weaknesses and natural imperfections, is worthy of our best emulation and is the mark of a refined man. Consistent with this concept of service and charity, is a sincere respect and love for country. Patriotism is a devotion to ideals and institutions, the fire that warms the blood when the hearth stone is in danger. Indeed, the ideals of our Fraternity are very similar to the ideals of the United States of America as embodied in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. Alpha Sigma Phi is a democratic, social organization, and, as such, does not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of men. Thus, when one honors the Flag and repeats the Pledge of Allegiance, he is reaffirming his belief in the ideals and principles of our Country in the same manner as he honors the ideals of Alpha Sigma Phi during our Ritual.