Resources
Written By: Summer Clarkson 
Written by Jarett Wait (Cornell ’77), Former President, Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Alumni Association
When disaster strikes, it has a way of testing the strength of our bonds, our leadership, and the very ideals we say we stand for. This past academic year, the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi at Cornell University found itself in exactly that kind of moment.
In fall 2024, serious mold damage forced the immediate closure of our chapter house. Within hours, we were faced with the enormous challenge of relocating 38 undergraduate brothers – finding them housing, food, and a sense of stability – in the middle of the semester. It was a moment filled with uncertainty, stress, and urgency. And yet, through it all, we discovered a profound truth: Sigma Pi is more than just a collection of individual chapters. We are a national brotherhood.
Thanks to the swift action of the Cornell Housing and Dining offices, all 38 displaced brothers were placed in alternative accommodations and provided meal plans within 24 hours – a feat that was nothing short of extraordinary. University staff, including those from Student and Campus Life, and the Sorority and Fraternity Life office, worked hand-in-hand with us to ensure the well-being of every brother during the transition. Those relationships are important in chapter success.
But our success didn’t stop at the campus gates.
Behind the scenes, the Sigma Pi National Office became an essential partner in our recovery. Their steady encouragement, professional advice, and strategic guidance helped us navigate complex decisions. The involvement of our National Office reminded us that we are never alone in this work.
Too often, the relationship between a chapter and the National Office is viewed through a transactional lens – centered around dues payments and compliance checklists. But that perception underestimates the depth of support our organization can provide when we need it most. What we experienced at Mu Chapter was something different – something real. This was Brotherhood in action. It was service, not oversight. Collaboration, not command.
As our alumni rallied together through the Sigma Pi House Recovery Campaign – raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few months – we were buoyed by the confidence that comes from having the backing of a national organization that believes in its chapters and is willing to walk with them through difficulty.
Our story culminated in spring 2025, when we reopened the doors to a fully updated and revitalized chapter house. We were honored to welcome Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff and Dean Marla Love to our open house celebration – a testament to the strength of our relationships with both the university and Sigma Pi. And perhaps most inspiring of all, our undergraduate brothers, despite not having access to a physical house, recruited 18 outstanding new members – demonstrating that the spirit of brotherhood transcends four walls and a roof.
To every chapter of Sigma Pi, we offer this message: lean into the support offered by our National Office. Lean into the support offered by your college campus. Don’t wait until you’re in crisis. Build the relationship now. Share your goals. Ask for advice. Let them be a partner in your success.
Brotherhood isn’t just something we talk about. It’s something we live. And thanks to that brotherhood, Mu Chapter is stronger than ever.