About the Chapter
The Star and Crescent at Cal Poly
Nu-Alpha is Cal Poly's chapter of Kappa Sigma — part of a brotherhood that spans North America and more than 150 years of history.
Our Story
From Bologna to the Central Coast
Kappa Sigma traces its spiritual founding to the University of Bologna in the 1400s, where a scholar named Manuel Chrysoloras formed a secret society of students for mutual protection. Four centuries later, on the evening of December 10, 1869, five students at the University of Virginia — the "Five Friends and Brothers" — founded the Kappa Sigma Fraternity in a room at 46 East Lawn.
Today, Kappa Sigma is one of the largest college social fraternities in the world, with more than 250,000 living members. Nu-Alpha was chartered on May 6, 1989 as the 250th chapter of Kappa Sigma, and re-chartered on May 24, 2014 after a rebuilding effort led by the brothers themselves — a recolonization that started with a small group in 2012 and grew into one of the strongest chapters on campus.
Kappa Sigma's traditions trace back to a society of scholars formed for fellowship and mutual protection.
Five Friends and Brothers found Kappa Sigma at 46 East Lawn on December 10, 1869.
Cal Poly's chapter is installed as the 250th chapter of Kappa Sigma, bringing the Star and Crescent to San Luis Obispo.
After a rebuilding effort begun in 2012, Nu-Alpha earns its charter back with a class of 56 initiates — and today stands over 100 brothers strong.
The Star and Crescent
"The Star and Crescent shall not be worn by every man, but only by him who is worthy to wear it. He must be a gentleman — a man of honor and courage — a man of zeal, yet humble — an intelligent man — a man of truth — one who tempers action with wisdom and, above all else, one who walks in the light of God."
Our badge is a constant reminder of the standard every brother commits to — at Cal Poly and everywhere else.
The Four Pillars
How we measure ourselves
Fellowship
The friendships you make here aren't limited to four years at Cal Poly. Brotherhood means having people who show up — for the big moments and the ordinary Tuesdays.
Leadership
Every brother has a real role in running the chapter — committees, events, budgets, recruitment. It's leadership you practice, not just talk about.
Scholarship
We're students first. Brothers share notes, form study groups by major, and keep each other accountable through Cal Poly's toughest quarters.
Service
Through the Military Heroes Campaign and local service in San Luis Obispo, giving back is built into the calendar — not an afterthought.
Our Philanthropy
Military Heroes Campaign
Kappa Sigma's national philanthropy — part of the fraternity's "A Greater Cause" program — supports wounded and disabled veterans and their families. Since its founding in 2007, brothers have raised millions of dollars and volunteered hundreds of thousands of hours for veterans' organizations across North America.
Nu-Alpha contributes through fundraisers and service events every year — and they're open to the whole Cal Poly community, so come through.
$5M+
raised for veterans' causes nationally since 2007
Boot Camp
Nu-Alpha's Military Heroes obstacle-course fundraiser, open to all of Cal Poly
The Network
Brothers who went on to big things
When you join Kappa Sigma, you join a network of more than 250,000 living brothers — including a few names you'll recognize.
Evan Spiegel
Co-founder & CEO, Snap Inc.
Jimmy Buffett
Musician & entrepreneur
Ted Turner
Founder of CNN
Robert Redford
Actor & director
William Hewlett
Co-founder, Hewlett-Packard
Jerry Jones
Owner, Dallas Cowboys
Edwin Hubble
Astronomer
Edgar Mitchell
Apollo 14 astronaut
Kyle Carpenter
Medal of Honor recipient
Kappa Sigma brothers from chapters across North America.
What we look for
Men of character, from every background
There's no single type of Kappa Sigma. Our brothers are engineers, business majors, architects, and ag students; athletes and musicians; from big cities and small towns. What they share is a commitment to the four pillars — and to each other.