Features
This semester, the Fraternity has distributed new Ritual books to all collegiate chapters, replacing a previous edition, which was revised and published in 1999. The newest edition of The Ritual incorporates several changes and additions approved by the Grand Chapter. Among these changes are the consolidation of the brother and knight ceremonies into a single, streamlined Initiation Ceremony and the adoption of the Alumni Rededication to Honor Ceremony, a vow renewal ceremony for alumni. Both changes were approved in 2014 by the 66th Grand Chapter, held in Nashville, Tenn.
Additional changes authorized by the 68th (2018), 69th (2021), and 70th (2023) Grand Chapters have also been incorporated. These changes had no impact on the content of the ceremonies but focused on updates to grammar and style and incorporated changes to stage directions to increase the clarity and readability of the text and improve the implementation of each ceremony. Further, updates to the instructions were also made to provide guidance to chapters on the initiation of brothers needing special accommodations, including brothers who are deaf and/or hard of hearing.
Throughout the spring semester, the Fraternity has and will continue to work closely with collegiate chapter officers and alumni volunteers to ensure that each chapter receives its designated five copies of The Ritual. As is stated in The Law of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. “All copies of The Ritual shall remain property of The Grand Chapter.” To this end, the Fraternity will work with chapter leadership to ensure that all previous copies of The Ritual are returned to the General Fraternity. Any copies outside of the five designated to each chapter, including those held personally by individual brothers without the explicit authorization of the Regent, should be returned to the General Fraternity as soon as possible. Please contact the Fraternity at 540-463-1869 or headquarters@sigmanu.org for additional instructions on how to securely return these copies.