Support from MIT

"Fraternities play a very important role in providing great living experiences and learning experiences for our students."

-- MIT President Susan Hockfield, Sigma Chi Scholarship Dinner, May 2005

Although not all alumni may be aware of this, MIT has, in the past several years, come out strongly in support of the independent fraternity system as a permanent fixture of the MIT experience. Now that the transition of freshmen to dormitory housing is complete and in the past, it is clear that the strong fraternities (like Alpha Theta Sigma Chi) will continue to flourish and thrive at MIT, as they have for the past 130 years.

As part of this transition period, some fraternities considered moving closer to campus (typically the houses that are currently very far away). Most have concluded after careful consideration (as has Alpha Theta) that it makes sense to stay where they are today. Most notably, the fraternities on our block of Beacon Street (which is closer to MIT classrooms than some existing MIT dormitories) are firmly committed to staying in Boston. Phi Kappa Sigma made this commitment clear with its significant renovation several years ago, Theta Chi has recently completed a significant renovation; and the others are committed to staying as well.

"Fraternities play an important role in student life and learning at MIT, and Sigma Chi represents these traditions at their best. With its strong academic traditions, Sigma Chi demonstrates that a strong fraternity experience and academic excellence can be mutually reinforcing, and that a vibrant residential experience forms an essential part of education."

-- MIT President Susan Hockfield, Alpha Theta's 125th Anniversary Reunion Ball, April 2007