Application to Charter a New Chapter

The Committee on Standards and Eligibility of the Alpha Sigma Nu Board of Directors evaluates applications for new chapters through the lens of the Society’s mission and vision. Alpha Sigma Nu seeks to support the holistic formation of students who aspire to be people for and with others, committed to serving the greater glory of God.

To that end, the Committee looks for evidence that the institution’s academic programs and campus culture actively promote the Jesuit, Catholic mission. Applicants must demonstrate a strong institutional emphasis on the Society’s core pillars: scholarship, loyalty, and service, as articulated in the Alpha Sigma Nu Constitution.

In its review, the Committee will assess how the student experience reflects the hallmarks of Ignatian education, including intellectual rigor, ethical leadership, and a commitment to justice and solidarity.

Evaluation Criteria

Institutions seeking to establish a chapter must clearly articulate:

• Institutional Commitment: Evidence of support from key campus partners—including university leadership, faculty, and staff—who will sponsor and sustain the chapter. This may include the Offices of the President and Provost, Jesuit Community, Campus Ministry, Deans, and Honors Programs.
• Five-Year Strategic Plan: A detailed plan outlining the chapter’s initial five years, including member selection processes, programming, and collaborations that connect students to the Jesuit, Catholic mission and charism.
• Collaborative Orientation: A demonstrated culture of partnership, characterized by shared goals, transparent communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Alpha Sigma Nu aims to charter new international chapters in a sustainable manner. The purpose of this application is to understand the context of the university/college and prepare the chapter to be successful in partnering with its local province of the Society of Jesus, university administration, prospective members, and alumni members.

The application questions are intended to provide the review team thorough and comprehensive context, to be maintained in Alpha Sigma Nu’s records and historical archives, and for promotion of the chapter, when appropriate.

1. Provide information and key points about the university that can help reviewers understand the institution’s history, its context, relationship with the Society of Jesus and/or regional province. Please include a brief recent history that explains the institution’s intent to charter a new chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu.
2. To anticipate possible challenges, provide a brief statement on factors (contextual, existential, temporal, etc.) that may prohibit the chapter from thriving.
3. How many full-time Jesuits are employed at your campus? What are their roles?
4. Alpha Sigma Nu acknowledges that each campus will administer the honor according to their university’s culture. What is your plan to induct students and how will you define loyalty? How will you evaluate service?
5. What are the markers of Jesuit and Ignatian identity at the institution?
6. Are there comparable honors/awards? If so, what are they and how will they be set apart from the Alpha Sigma Nu honor?
7. Provide a petition in writing from the College/University President addressed to the Board Secretary expressing the commitment to a chapter of the honor society at the institution.
8. Provide two or more letters of support from University administration (Deans, who will support the selection of eligible students, programs, events, and the care of the chapter’s members, for example) and campus partner department heads.
9. A declaration that the Chapter Adviser and Coordinator(s) have read the ASN Constitution and the Handbook for Chapters: Policies & Procedures*.

*The Handbook for Chapters: Policies and Procedures is regularly under review. Contact the Central Office to learn about the current edition.

Chartering an international chapter_application (.pdf version)

The Alpha Sigma Nu Board of Directors will review the application and determine whether a site visit is necessary.

When granted a charter, in partnership with the Chapter Adviser(s) and Coordinator(s), the Executive Director and Central Office staff will agree to terms manageable for the chapter to begin the selection and induction process. The Central Office will provide forms and documents, and the steps necessary to ensure a successful first year and beyond.