Sigma Xi papers
Creator: Society of the Sigma Xi. University of Rochester Chapter
Call Number: UA287
Dates: 1926-1961
Physical Description: 2.04 Cubic feet
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: University of Rochester Archives

Table of Contents:

Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content
Subject(s)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Access
Use
Citation
Content List
Box 1 1926-1949
Box 2 1950-1956
Box 3 1956-1957
Box 4 1957-1959
Box 5 1959-1961; organizational documents
Box 6 Lectures, lists, and miscellaneous ephemera
Collection Overview
Title: Sigma Xi papers
Creator: Society of the Sigma Xi. University of Rochester Chapter
Call Number: UA287
Dates: 1926-1961
Physical Description: 2.04 Cubic feet
Language(s): Materials are in English
Repository: University of Rochester Archives

Biographical/Historical Note
Sigma Xi is an academic fraternity founded at Cornell in 1886 to "to honor excellence in scientific investigation and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among researchers in all fields of science and engineering." Only universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to scientific research are eligible for their own chapters. Promising undergraduates are offered associate membership status and may be promoted to full membership based on their achievements.

A Sigma Xi chapter for Rochester was first proposed in 1909 due to the high proportion of University of Rochester students enrolled in science courses. The application process was formally begun by Professor Victor J. Chambers in 1916. By 1925, the establishment of the University of Rochester Medical Center brought in large numbers of faculty who had become members of Sigma Xi elsewhere, prompting the formation of a local club. The charter for a formal Sigma Xi chapter at Rochester was finally approved by the national organization in 1930.

Members of Sigma Xi met several times a year to demonstrate experiments and showcase research projects to their colleagues. A popular outside activity was the annual Junior Science lecture on Washington's birthday, which brought hundreds of high school students to the University of Rochester campus. The chapter also sponsored more advanced lectures by prominent scientists for the benefit of the general public. They remained active throughout World War II, although they held fewer meetings and focused more on military topics.

The Rochester chapter of Sigma Xi became inactive in 1999. Honorary societies still active at the University of Rochester are Phi Beta Kappa for the humanities and Tau Beta Pi for engineers.

Scope and Content
The papers include correspondence, meeting minutes, membership information, financial documents, printed ephemera, and other materials related to the first thirty-five years of the Rochester chapter's history.

Subject(s):
New York (State)--Rochester
Greek letter societies
Records (Documents)
Society of the Sigma Xi. University of Rochester Chapter
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Sigma Xi Papers were received in May 1967 from Professor Arthur J. May.Access
For access to this collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu) at least two business days prior to your planned visit.

Please note: Some materials may be restricted or require permission for use.

Use
To request reproductions or permission to publish materials from the collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu). Researchers may be responsible for determining any copyright questions.



Citation
[Item title, item date], Sigma Xi papers, UA287, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Administrative Information
Author: Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Publisher: University of Rochester Archives
Address: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd.
Rochester, New York 14627-0055
archives@library.rochester.edu


Content List