Sigma Alpha Mu

Beta Omicron Chapter

Sigma Alpha Mu (SAM) first established a chapter at GW in 1967. This chapter did not last long, and along with much of the Greek community, disappeared in the late 1960s.

In 1986, several GW students formed an interest group and contacted SAM about stablishing a chapter. This group was soon re-chartered as the Beta Omicron Chapter. In the Spring of 1994, a series of incidents resulted in instutional sanctions against the chapter. The primary incident was a fight involving several chapter members in April of 1994. While still on probation during the summer of 1994, the chapter held two parties during Colonial Inauguration. This series of incidents resulted in the University pulling recognition of the chapter, and the national office of SAM revoking the charter. At that time it was agreed that SAM could return to GW at the earliest in the Fall of 1996, provided none of the current members were part of that re-colonization.

In October of 1996, the IFC voted to invite SAM to reestablish the Beta Omicron Chapter. It does not appear that SAM attempted to colonize until 1997 or 1998. A constitution for the chapter dated November 2, 1998 can be found in the Greek Life files. This document lists fourteen names as members of the chapter. By March of 2000, the national organization determined that the colonization efforts had failed, and pulled their recognition of the fledgling group. Records indicate that the colony was unable to recruit new members, and lacked support from advisors and the national office.

By late 2001, a group of GW men had formed an interest group and were seeking a national fraternity. These men were advised to investigate Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, who had been approved and was colonizing in the fall of that year. With the bulk of the interest group being Jewish, they quickly determined that Pi Kap was not a good fit for them. At the time, two other large Jewish fraternities had recently closed chapters at GW due to significant hazing and risk management issues. With this in mind, the interest group contacted SAM to request consideration as a colony. The national office recognized the colony, and ultimately re-chartered the Beta Omicron Chapter in May of 2002.

The 2002 establishment was done without the support or permission of the IFC and the University. SAM operated outside of University recognition since that time.