The purposes of this society are:

1. To honor those who attain excellence in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking peoples;

2. To honor those who have made the Hispanic contributions to modern culture better known in the English-speaking world;

3. To encourage college and university students to acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture;

4. To foster friendly relations and mutual respect between the nations of Hispanic speech and those of English speech;

5. To serve its membership in ways which will contribute to the attainment of the goals and ideals of the society.

(Article II of the Sigma Delta Pi National By-Laws)