Since its inception, Sigma Alpha Mu has initiated more than 67,000 members at 150 active and inactive chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada.

It is one of three major national/international social fraternities to have been founded at the City College of New York, the others being Delta Sigma Phi and Zeta Beta Tau.

It aimed to prove to the outside world that criticism and objectives leveled against fraternities in general—specious though many of those arguments may have been—did not apply to Sigma Alpha Mu.

To a small group of five at Cornell University, the founders imparted their ideas and inculcated their ideals, and then guided, watched, and aided them-their brothers in far-off Ithaca.

Sigma Alpha Mu acknowledges its Jewish heritage and the ethical values of Judaism, but with the advent of the mid-twentieth century, expressions of liberalism suggested that constitutional limitations of membership to any particular religious group were not in keeping with the ideal of democracy which had always been part of the fraternity's creed.

Thus, responsive to this thinking, Sigma Alpha Mu at its 1953 Convention amended its constitution, making eligible for membership any male student of good moral character who respects the ideals and traditions of the fraternity.

[4] "Sigma Alpha Mu's Mission is to foster the development of collegiate men and our alumni by instilling strong fraternal values, offering social and service opportunities, encouraging academic excellence, and teaching leadership skills.

[6] Sigma Alpha Mu's badge is octagonal with the Greek letters ΣΑΜ in gold on a black enamel background, surrounded by sixteen pearls.

Scores of chapters bouncing a basketball to symbolize the heartbeat—or now conducting other basketball-related events—have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes including the American Heart Association and Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

[11] Association board member Marshall Gelfand was instrumental in forging the partnership between the two organizations and received the fraternity's Certificate of Merit in 2005, which is awarded to ΣΑΜ alumni whose service and achievements in community endeavors are worthy of special recognition.

Donations raised by the fraternity are part of The Judy Fund, established in 2003 on behalf of Mr. Gelfand's wife who in 1995, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

"[17] However, according to Treetops Resort officials $25,000 was paid toward the bill, but that the Sigma Alpha Mu organization was "unwilling to accept liability and pay restitution [on behalf of the chapter].

[20] A lawsuit, claiming that, “the resort says it now believes the vandalism was in retaliation for management confronting the students earlier in the day overpayment” and prior damage.

[21] In 2008, a University of Delaware freshman died of alcohol poisoning after attending a party hosted by members of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, where the student was pledging.