Is Sigma Alpha exempt from Title IX?

[PhiRhoSister]

Due to Title IX, Sigma Alpha must allow both men and women members unless the sorority has been exempted from Title IX by the Dept of Education (DOE). Does anyone know if Sigma Alpha has been exempted from Title IX by the DOE?

Title IX does not allow sex discrimination in collegiate organizations, and only “social” fraternities/sororities are exempt from Title IX. Since professional fraternities/sororities are not exempt from IX, they must be co-ed and allow both men and women members.

In the early 1980s, groups like Sigma Alpha Iota Sorority and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity had to drop the references to "professional" to receive Title IX social fraternity/sorority exemption by the DOE. Other groups that targeted specific majors, such as Triangle, Phi Sigma Rho, Farmhouse, and Ceres, made sure to follow suit so that they could stay single-sex. Since Sigma Alpha still says it is a “professional” sorority, it is not clear if Sigma Alpha has Title IX exemption from the DOE.

[BFulton]

Sigma Alpha uses the sorority name but is officially in our constitution (if memory serves) a fraternity, and I believe the word professional is there as well. This was all based on legal review. We do allow both female and male members. I hope that answers your question.