Updated 10/30/2003


The purpose of Alpha Chi Sigma is to bind its members with a tie of true and lasting friendship. To strive for the advancement of chemistry both as a science and as a profession. To aid its members by every honorable means in the attainment of their ambitions as chemists throughout their mortal lives.


Section 1: General

A. Election to Collegiate Membership.

The election of Collegiate members shall proceed as follows:

1. A chapter shall give all of its active members prior notice of meetings at which it will receive or vote on nominations for membership. In the meeting, any active chapter member may nominate for membership any qualified person. The nomination may be made orally or in writing. The nomination must be supported by at least one other active member of the chapter and must have the certification of the Chapter Advisor regarding the candidate's professional qualifications.

2. A four-fifths majority of the chapter's active members must approve the nomination by secret ballot.

3. Members unavoidably absent from the meeting at which the vote will be held may submit their ballots to the Recorder prior to the meeting.

4. A Collegiate Chapter may, with the approval of the Supreme Council, elect and initiate any properly qualified student of a neighboring college or university where a chapter of this Fraternity does not exist, provided such action is in accord with the regulations of both institutions. Subject to Supreme Council approval, members who are students of an institution where a chapter previously existed but is inactive, may, upon petition, be considered members of that chapter rather than the initiating chapter.

5. In the event that the procedure for election of Collegiate members is in conflict with the rules of the institution with which a Collegiate Chapter is affiliated, the Supreme Council may authorize an exception to the procedure for the particular chapter.

6. In no case shall Alpha Chi Sigma accept the assignment of members by an agency external to the Fraternity.

B. Election of Professional Candidates to Membership.

1. For candidates having a bachelor's degree - Anyone with at least a bachelor's degree in chemistry may be nominated by any member of the Fraternity to a Collegiate Chapter as a candidate for Professional membership at any meeting of the chapter. The chapter shall give all of its active members prior notice of meetings when nominations for membership will be received or voted on. The nominations may be made orally or in writing. The nomination must be supported by at least two other Fraternity members who know the candidate personally. A four-fifths majority of the chapter members present must approve the nomination by secret ballot .

2. For other candidates - Anyone who meets the membership qualification may be nominated by any member of the Fraternity to a Collegiate Chapter as a candidate for Professional membership at any meeting of the Chapter. The nomination must be made in writing and clearly state the nominee's qualifications for membership. The nomination must be signed by at least three active Fraternity members who certify that they know the candidate personally. A four-fifths majority of the chapter members present must approve the nomination by secret ballot. If the chapter approves the nomination, it shall be submitted to the Supreme Council, where a unanimous vote is required for approval.

3. The chapter that approved the candidate's nomination for membership shall initiate the candidate.

C. No person's nomination for membership shall be voted on more than twice during any one Grand Chapter fiscal year.

D. Membership in Alpha Chi Sigma precludes membership in any other national professional chemistry fraternity.

E. A person may be pledged in the first half of the first college year.

F. If a pledge changes to a curriculum in which the requirements for initiation cannot be satisfied, that person shall be dropped from the pledge roll.

G. The procedure for withdrawal of an invitation to membership shall be:

1. Any chapter member, at a regular meeting of the chapter , may move the withdrawal of an invitation to membership for reasons involving dishonorable conduct, consistent scholastic failure, lack of interest in the Fraternity, or injury to the Fraternity if the person is initiated.

2. At least seven days prior to the meeting at which a vote on the motion will be taken, the chapter shall give all of its active members written notice that a motion to withdraw an invitation to membership is pending and the time and place of the meeting.

3. A one-third vote of the ballots cast by active members shall be necessary for the withdrawal of an invitation to membership.

4. Members unavoidably absent from the meeting at which the vote will be held may submit their ballots to the Recorder prior to the meeting.

H. No person shall be initiated into the Fraternity until having complied with at least one of the following conditions:

1. Be in at least the second college year in the study of chemistry and be without condition in any current college work.

2. Have completed, with college credit allowed, four semester courses or six quarter courses in college chemistry and be without condition in any current college work.

3. Be in the second semester or third quarter of the first college year, and rank in the upper forty percent of the class in all chemistry courses undertaken, and be without condition in any current college work.

I. No pledge shall be initiated before paying the required lifetime membership fee.

Section 2: Individual Initiative

An invitation to pledgeship shall not be extended to a prospective member unless he/she has attended at least one fraternity function. This provision may be waived by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership.

Section 3: Voting Procedure

Two votes by secret ballot shall be taken on each prospective member before the vote for election to membership. The first vote shall be taken prior to induction. A second vote will be taken at least three weeks after induction, but no less than two weeks prior to vote for election to membership.

A. Procedure for the first ballot (before pledging) shall be as follows:

1. All candidates shall be voted on individually. Discussion of each candidate shall occur prior to each ballot.

2. Invitation to pledgeship shall be extended to a prospective collegiate member upon attainment of a three-quarters positive vote of the quorum.

3. An unfavorable vote shall result in a short, no more than five-minute discussion of the candidate after which a second vote shall be taken. A one-quarter negative response shall result in the dropping of the candidate from the pledge roll.

B. Procedure for vote to continue pledgeship

1. Vote will be announced at least one week in advance.

2. All candidates shall be voted on individually. Discussion of each candidate shall occur prior to each ballot.

3. Vote shall be made by actives meeting following requirements: must have attended at least two pledge functions from the following: pledge-active function, induction, or pledge meeting, and also must be present at the voting meeting.

4. An unfavorable vote shall result in a short, no more than five minute discussion of the candidate after which a second vote shall be taken by secret ballot. A one-quarter negative response shall result dropping of the candidate from the pledge roll.

C. Termination of Pledgeship

A continuation of pledgeship vote can be taken for an individual pledge at any time for: lack of interest in the fraternity or behavior that is detrimental to the fraternity.

The procedure for this shall be as follows:

1. A member must announce one week in advance the intent to call a vote.

2. Vote will be preceded by at least a five minute discussion of the pledge in question. A one-third negative response from quorum by secret ballot shall result in dropping of the candidate from the pledge roll.

D. Non-discriminatory policy

Participation in the proposed organization must be without regard to arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, color disability, ethnicity, gender marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

E. Procedure for election to membership(second ballot):

At the regular membership meeting at least two weeks prior to initiation, the second ballot shall be taken as outlined in Article 1, Section A, Part 1 of the Grand Bylaws. This requires as eighty- percent positive response by secret ballot to be initiated.

F. Procedure for withdrawal of invitation to membership shall be as outlined in

The procedure for withdrawal of an invitation to membership shall be:

1. Any chapter member, at a regular meeting of the chapter , may move the withdrawal of an invitation to membership for reasons involving dishonorable conduct, consistent scholastic failure, lack of interest in the Fraternity, or injury to the Fraternity if the person is initiated.

2. At least seven days prior to the meeting at which a vote on the motion will be taken, the chapter shall give all of its active members written notice that a motion to withdraw an invitation to membership is pending and the time and place of the meeting.

3. A one-third vote of the ballots cast by active members shall be necessary for the withdrawal of an invitation to membership.

4. Members unavoidably absent from the meeting at which the vote will be held may submit their ballots to the Recorder prior to the meeting.

Section 4: Duration of Invitation to Pledgship

A. An invitation to pledgeship shall be valid only until the initiation ceremony following the date at which the invitation is extended.

B. If a pledge is not initiated within one year after being pledged, he/she, shall be dropped from the roll.



Section 1: General Information

A. Pledging

1. Pledging shall be held at least once per year.

2. The pledge period for collegiate members shall be at least six weeks in duration.

3. Any persons receiving an invitation to pledge must decide to accept or reject the invitation within one week of the date of receipt of the invitation

4. All invitations to pledgeship must be offered in writing and signed by the master alchemist.

B. Initiation

1. Initiation shall be at least once per year but not more than twice per year

2. The initiation shall be conducted as per the official ritual in accordance with the constitution.

Section 2: Pledge Duties

A. Pledges shall read the pledge manuals of Alpha Chi Sigma prior to being initiated and shall be examined on its contents.

B. All pledges shall have the signatures on their pledge paddles of, and know on sight a number of active members specified by the VMA, plus additional signatures of professional or collegiate members affiliated with the chapter as required by the pledge master and his/her assistants.

C. All pledges shall be required to perform some useful work for the chapter.

D. All pledges shall be given a copy of the chapter bylaws, amended to date, and shall be required to read them before initiation.

Section 3: Formal Initiation

A. The chapter at the recommendation of the MA and the VMA shall fix the date of formal initiation.

B. All parts for the initiation shall be assigned by the MC to active members and those members shall be responsible for their parts and their memorization. If the parts are lost, the member responsible shall take the appropriate action to replace them.

Section 4: Attendance at Initiation

A. All pledges are required to attend initiation

B. Attendance by members is explained in Article IV, Section 6 of these bylaws.

Section 5: Non-Hazing Policy

Hazing is strictly prohibited. Hazing shall be defined as any conduct which subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or psychologically, to anything that may endanger abuse, degrade, or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person's consent or lack of consent.



Section l: General

1 ) The officers of each Collegiate Chapter shall be a Master Alchemist, Vice Master Alchemist, Reporter, Recorder, Treasurer, Master of Ceremonies, Alumni Secretary, and such other officers as the chapter may desire.

2) The officers, with the exception of the Alumni Secretary, must be active members of the chapter.

Section 2

1. The Master Alchemist shall:

a. Be the executive officer of the chapter.

b. Preside at chapter meetings.

c. Commit to memory the parts of the ritual assigned to the Master Alchemist.

d. Chair the scholarship committee.

e. Be responsible for the condition of the chapter and the proper discharge of the duties of its officers.

f. Be responsible for the vote of the chapter in the Grand Chapter during the period between conclaves.

2. The Vice Master Alchemist shall:

a. Assist the Master Alchemist.

b. Act as Master Alchemist in the absence of the Master Alchemist.

c. Supervise all pledge functions.

d. Arrange for the chapter's Professional Recognition Ceremony or Professional Initiation Ceremony when any chapter members are to join the Professional Branch.

3. The Reporter shall:

a. Carry on the chapter's correspondence with the Grand Chapter .

b. Report elections, initiations, deaths, expulsion proceedings, changes in status of members, election of officers, and matters of record as required by the Supreme Council.

4. The Recorder shall:

a. Keep the minutes of the chapter meetings.

b. Be responsible for the documents and records of the chapter.

c. Assist the Reporter.

d. Act as Reporter in the absence of the Reporter.

e. Maintain a biographical record and an address and telephone record of the chapter members.

5. The Treasurer shall:

a. Be responsible for the collection and disbursement of the chapter monies.

b. Keep a systematic financial record of the chapter finances.

c. Report on the chapter's finances upon the request of the Master Alchemist, the Grand Recorder, the District Counselor, or the Supreme Council.

d. Submit to the Supreme Council, the District Counselor and Chapter Advisor a standardized financial statement of the chapter's financial condition including a detailed report of delinquencies.

6. The Master of Ceremonies shall:

a. Organize and supervise all chapter ceremonial activities except the Professional Recognition Ceremony and Professional Initiation Ceremony.

b. Be responsible for the safekeeping and good condition of the regalia entrusted to the chapter.

c. Keep and account for all copies of the ritual lent to the chapter and be responsible to the Grand Chapter for them.

7. The Alumni Secretary shall:

a. Assist the chapter in its professional activities.

b. Gather and preserve the historical data of the chapter and make an annual report to the Grand Historian.

c. Solicit articles from alumni for the HEXAGON.

d. Report promptly all changes of address of chapter alumni to the Grand Recorder.

e. May assist the Master Alchemist in familiarizing new chapter officers with their duties.

Section 3: Elections

A. The MA shall announce at least two weeks in advance when elections will be held.

B. Nominations will be accepted up until the night of elections. The nominee must be present to accept the nomination. Exception to nominations in absentia must be approved by a ¼ positive vote of the chapter.

C. The MA, VMA, and MC will be elected at the end of the fall semester and serve for the next semester as MA-elect, VMA-elect, and MC-elect. This will be a training period with the present officers in order to assure chapter continuity.

D. The remaining officers will be elected at the end of the spring semester. All officers will take office the second week of May.

E. Only members attending the meetings may vote.

Section 4: Filling Vacant Offices

If an office is vacated during the course of a term, the MA shall create a nominating committee to conduct the normal election of a successor to serve the remainder of the term. This process shall begin at the next regular active meeting and the election will be held two meetings hence.

Section 5: Term of Office

The term of office for all officers shall be one year. members shall have at least one semester term.

Section 6: Committees

A. The following committees, with members as outlined, shall be formed each semester. A committee may have no less than three members.

B. The following committees shall be created by the bylaws of Epsilon

Chapter as provided in the Constitution:

1. Executive
2. Academic
3. Alumni
4. Fundraising
5. Membership
6. Social
7. Ritual
8. Public Relations

The duties and responsibilities of the committees shall be:

Executive = to be an advisory committee an amendments to these bylaws and on matters of chapter policy.

Academic = to supervise scholastic activities of the chapter and to further objectives two and three.

Alumni = to work with the alumni secretary maintaining contact with alumni members through newsletters and other activities.

Fundraising = to determine the amount of chapter dues and ascertain the best ways to generate funds for the chapter's needs.

Membership = to work with the VMA to best select rush and pledge activities in order to further objective one.

Social = to plan and announce social activities of the fraternity.

Ritual = to work with the MC in order to prepare for, and run initiation.

Public Relations = to improve relations between the chapter and the chemistry department.

Section 7: Suggested Membership of the Committees shall be:

A. Executive = All chapter officers and committee chairs.

B. Academic = At least three.

C. Alumni = Alumni secretary, and at least two others.

D. Fundraising = Treasurer and two others.

E. Membership = VMA (VMA-elect if applicable) and three others.

F. Social = At least three.

G. Ritual = MC (MC-elect if applicable) and three others.

H. Public Relations = At least three.

I. Committee chairs and members shall be appointed by the MA as described in the Manual of Procedures for Collegiate Chapter Officers. The MA should attend committee meetings, but will not vote except when the entire chapter votes. Officers may be committee members, but not chairs.

1. Outline of committee proceedings:

The committee chair shall:

a. Call at least two committee meetings/month of school year.
b. Attend executive committee meetings.
c. Submit reports to chapter.

2. All committee votes shall be by majority rule.

3. Each committee chairman shall present a report of his/hers committee's accomplishments at the end of each semester.

Section8: Removal of Officers or Chairs

If an officer or committee chair is not fulfilling his/he duties, he can be removed from office by the following procedure:

1. Dissatisfaction may be acknowledged at any regularly scheduled active meeting by any voting member.

2. The MA (or in event of it being the MA the Chapter Advisor) must inform the officer or the committee chair that his position will be discussed at the next regularly scheduled active meeting.

3. After notification a discussion and vote will occur at the regularly scheduled active meeting, and a decision made by 3/4 majority of the quorum.

Section 9: Duties of the Office of Historian

The responsibilities for the office of Historian fall under the following two categories.

A. The Historian is responsible for passing on AXE History and for maintaining its documentation by doing the following items

1. Keeping the AXE History Book up-to-date with descriptions of the Fraternity's current events.

2. Giving the History lecture to the Spring and Fall Pledge Classes.

3. Collecting photos and creating an annual photo album displaying pictures of the years' events

4. An annual composite of the members of the Fraternity (which can be taken at a social event).

B. The Historian is also responsible to help create AXE History by doing the following:

1. The Historian will be a member of the AXE Social Committee.

2. He/She will plan a large out-of-the-ordinary active event every semester (the Summer being considered one semester--if the Historian is not in Bloomington at that time, the Historian must find someone to plan a Summer event). This plan will be presented to the social committee for approval.

3. The Historian will be in charge of planning and arranging the Spring Senior Banquet if no other Social Committee member (or active member) wishes to do so. However, the purchase and presentation of the Senior Gifts will continue to be carried out by the Historian.

Section 10: Duties of the Office of Master of Webs

The responsibilities for the office of Master of Webs fall under the following two categories:

A. The Master of Webs is responsible for creating and maintaining all chapter web pages by doing the following items:

1. Updating the AXE, Epsilon Chapter, Web Page at least three times per semester.

2. Working with the chapter historian to create and maintain web pages about events conducted by the fraternity.

3. Checking all URL links at least once a year to make sure they work properly.

4. See that all out of date web pages are either saved to disk or printed out for the use of the chapter historian.

B. The Master of Webs is also responsible for creating and maintaining all fraternity e-mail accounts by doing the following:

1. Adding and deleting e-mail addresses on the e-mail distribution list(s) each semester.

2. Changing the password of the fraternity's web account once a year.

3. Maintaining the e-mail account's in box and sent mail folders.



Section 1: Time of Meetings

A. A regular meeting of the chapter shall be held at least twice a month during the school year at a time to be decided on by the MA upon the suggestion of the chapter at the beginning of the semester. Every effort should be made to hold meetings consistently on the same day and at the same time.

B. At the discretion of the MA a special meeting shall be called at the request of any member. Notice of such meeting shall be given as far in advance as possible.

Section 2: Quorum

A. No business transacted at meetings shall have official status unless a quorum is obtained.

B. For this purpose "a majority of the collegiate members of the chapter" shall be defined as the average number of members at the six previous active meetings.

C. A member will not be allowed to vote unless he/she has attended two out of the past three meetings, or has been excused by the MA. If he/she is not excused, he/she may appeal to the chapter and may vote upon approval of 2/3 voting chapter members.

Section 3: Simple Majority Defined

A simple majority shall be defined as more than one-half the quorum, provided that there are more positive votes than negative vote.

Section 4: Procedure of Meetings

A. The meeting shall be conducted in accordance with Article 5, Section C, Part 7 of the Grand Bylaws. This states the following order of business:

1. Call to order
2. Secret ritual opening
3. Roll call
4. Reading of minutes
5. Reports of officers
6. Reading of correspondence
7. Reports of regular committees
8. Reports of special committees
9. Unfinished business
10.New business
11.Proposals for membership
12. Election to membership
13.Appointment of committees
14.Election of officers
15.Installation of offices

B. In matters of parliamentary procedure not otherwise covered by these bylaws or by regulations of the Grand Chapter, Robert's Rules of Order shall be taken as authority.

C. No votes shall be called after one hour form the call to order of the meetings.

Section 5: Attendance at Meetings

A. The official attendance requirement will be fulfilled by accumulating 20 points. One of these aforementioned points must come from attendance at an active meeting. Another point must be obtained by attendance at a pledge meeting or pledge active function. Points can be accumulated by:

1. Induction Ceremony (4pts.)
2. Initiation Ceremony (5pts.)
3. Professional Events (3pts.)
4. Active Meetings (2pts.)
5. Pledge Meetings (2pts.)
6. Official AXE Social Events (1pt.)
7. Official AXE Athletic Events (1pt.)
8. Others as specified by the Executive Committee

B. Failure to meet the attendance requirements or to pay dues as described in Article 5, Section 2 of the Grand Bylaws, unless otherwise excused by the Executive Committee, will result in inactive collegiate status, defined as being classified as a professional member. Inactive status also means loss of Epsilon Chapter privileges such as access to the room key, use of Epsilon Chapter as a reference, and those privileges deemed appropriate by two-thirds quorum of the Epsilon Chapter.



Section 1: Pledge and Initiation Fees

A pledge fee and an initiation fee shall be assessed to each pledge as in Article 8, Section A of the Grand Bylaws.

Section 2: Dues

The chapter dues for each semester shall be determined by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, upon the advice of the financial, committee, at the first Executive Committee meeting of the school year.

Section 3: Financial Statements

A. A financial statement shall be read monthly by the chapter treasurer. A copy shall be made available to all members upon request.

B. At the beginning of each semester the treasurer shall present a statement which includes the following for the previous semesters:

1. Total income and expenses for the semester
2. Cash on hand in the bank
3. A summary of all monies owed to the chapter and all claims against the chapter.

Section 4: Indebtedness

Any member who is in debt to the chapter for a sum more then forty five dollars shall be prohibited form attending any social functions until such debts are paid. This provision may be waived by a 2/3 vote of the chapter.

Section 5: Transfer of Funds

If for any reason the Epsilon Chapter no longer maintains active status all funds shall be transferred to the Grand Chapter.



Section 1:

Any amendments to these bylaws must be submitted in writing to the recorder at the time they are proposed.

Section 2:

These bylaws may be amended by a 3/4 majority vote of the quorum. An amendment cannot be passed until the next membership meeting after that in which it was proposed.

Section 3:

After an amendment is passed, the Executive Committee shall put it in a language consistent with these bylaws.

Section 4:

The recorder shall maintain a complete record of amendments to these bylaws which have been passed on the official copy.



Section 1

This chapter shall at all times maintain a chapter advisor. A chapter advisor shall be defined as a faculty or staff member that is also a member of Alpha Chi Sigma.

Section 2

The duties of the chapter advisor are to assist the chapter when asked and to maintain a current knowledge of chapter activities.



This organization shall comply with all Indiana University regulations, and local, state, and federal laws.


Send us an e-mail at axe@indiana.edu