A Commitment to Safer Social Experiences
Sigma Nu is committed to creating a fraternity experience where every member can thrive academically, personally, and socially. Responsible decision-making regarding alcohol and other drugs is an essential part of that commitment.
Alcohol misuse and substance abuse can jeopardize a student’s health, academic success, relationships, and future. More importantly, they can undermine the principles of Love, Honor, and Truth that define Sigma Nu.
Our goal is not simply to enforce rules—it is to develop ethical leaders who make sound decisions, hold one another accountable, and foster environments where every brother and guest can enjoy safe, positive experiences.
Fraternity of Men, Not Boys
Sigma Nu’s risk reduction philosophy is built around a simple principle:
“Fraternity of Men, Not Boys.”
This philosophy reminds every member that Sigma Nu exists to develop mature, ethical leaders—not to tolerate reckless or irresponsible behavior.
Alcohol misuse, drug abuse, hazing, sexual misconduct, and other behaviors that place members or guests at risk are inconsistent with the purpose of our Fraternity. Our expectations are designed to protect individuals, strengthen chapters, and preserve the integrity of the brotherhood.
Every Brother Has a Responsibility
Creating a safe chapter is not the responsibility of one officer—it is the responsibility of every member.
Leadership means having the courage to make responsible decisions, intervene when necessary, and look after one another. By living our values every day, Sigma Nu members help create chapter environments where brotherhood flourishes and every member has the opportunity to succeed.
If Someone Needs Medical Help
Never hesitate to seek emergency medical care.
If someone is unconscious, unresponsive, having difficulty breathing, experiencing seizures, or showing signs of alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Stay with the individual until help arrives.
- Follow the instructions of emergency responders.
- Cooperate fully with medical personnel.
Seeking medical assistance quickly can save a life.
Resources
Tightrope is Sigma Nu’s primary online health and safety education program for collegiate members. Offered in partnership with Plaid, the course provides research-based, interactive education that prepares members to make informed decisions and look out for one another throughout their collegiate experience.
Building on more than two decades of online prevention education, Tightrope succeeds AlcoholEdu for College (2004–2008) and CommunityEdu (2008–2025) as the Fraternity’s required prevention education platform.
Program Topics
Tightrope addresses many of the issues most likely to affect today’s college students, including:
- Alcohol awareness and responsible decision-making
- Other drug prevention
- Hazing prevention
- Sexual assault and misconduct prevention
- Mental health and well-being
Through engaging videos, interactive activities, knowledge checks, and real-world scenarios, members develop practical skills for protecting themselves and supporting their brothers.
Why It Matters
Tightrope is designed to move beyond simply providing information. By incorporating evidence-based learning strategies, the program encourages behavioral change, equips members with practical intervention skills, and promotes a culture of accountability and responsible leadership.
Since Sigma Nu first introduced online prevention education in 2004, tens of thousands of members have completed CommunityEdu and/or Tightrope. Assessment data has shown improvements in members’ knowledge, attitudes, and decision-making regarding alcohol misuse, hazing, and sexual misconduct.
Chapter Participation
Sigma Nu expects all initiates and candidates who have not previously completed the program to successfully complete Tightrope each academic year. Chapters achieving at least 90% member completion qualify for the Fraternity’s lowest available Risk Management Assessment tier, while chapters below that threshold are subject to an assessment surcharge. This incentive reinforces the Fraternity’s commitment to prevention through education.
Highwire
While Tightrope serves as Sigma Nu’s primary prevention program, Highwire is designed as an educational intervention.
When a chapter violates the Fraternity’s Risk Reduction Policy, members may be required to complete Highwire as part of the educational sanctions assigned to the chapter. Rather than serving as an introductory course, Highwire reinforces and expands upon the alcohol education presented in Tightrope while helping members better understand the decisions and behaviors that contributed to the policy violation.
Purpose
Highwire is intended to:
- Reinforce responsible alcohol-related decision-making.
- Address behaviors that place members and chapters at risk.
- Encourage reflection and personal accountability.
- Reduce the likelihood of future policy violations.
- Support long-term behavioral change through education.
By focusing on education rather than punishment alone, Highwire reflects Sigma Nu’s belief that members can learn from mistakes and strengthen their chapters through accountability and personal growth.
Prescription medications can improve and save lives when used properly—but when misused, they can have serious and even life-threatening consequences. Recognizing the growing impact of prescription drug misuse among college students, Sigma Nu has partnered with GenerationRx to provide members with evidence-based education that promotes safe medication practices and informed decision-making.
GenerationRx is a national educational initiative developed by The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy to increase awareness of prescription drug misuse and equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to use medications safely. Through interactive, discussion-based programming, participants learn how to recognize the risks associated with prescription medications, prevent misuse, and support healthier campus communities.
Sigma Nu’s Partnership
Sigma Nu was one of the founding fraternity and sorority partners that collaborated with GenerationRx to develop educational resources specifically for the fraternity and sorority experience. Working alongside peer organizations, the Fraternity helped create programming that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities facing collegiate members while reinforcing a culture of responsibility, accountability, and brotherhood.
This partnership reflects Sigma Nu’s longstanding commitment to proactive prevention education and complements the Fraternity’s broader initiatives addressing alcohol and other drug prevention, mental health, hazing prevention, and overall member well-being.
Program Topics
GenerationRx helps members better understand:
- The dangers of prescription drug misuse.
- The difference between proper medication use and misuse.
- The risks associated with opioids, sedatives, and stimulants.
- Safe medication storage and disposal.
- How to recognize and respond to medication misuse.
- How to make informed decisions and support friends who may be at risk.
The Sigma Nu Members Portal provides chapter officers with a comprehensive collection of alcohol and other drug prevention resources designed to support safe, successful chapter operations and reinforce responsible decision-making.
Whether you’re planning a social event, educating members, onboarding new officers, or reviewing chapter policies, you’ll find practical guidance, educational materials, and best practices to help your chapter uphold the Fraternity’s Risk Reduction Policy and create a culture of accountability.
Chapter officers are encouraged to regularly access the Sigma Nu Member Portal to review alcohol and other drug prevention resources, event planning tools, educational programs, and risk reduction materials, and to incorporate them into chapter programming throughout the year.