Balanced men
Since their reinstatement on the SMU campus last spring, the members of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity have been continuously recruiting and initiating. They are the only fraternity on campus that practices an open-bidding policy, which allows them to formally initiate throughout the year.
Much of Sig Ep’s programming is directed at involving actives and recruits. Several of fall events held included barbecues, a retreat, off-campus parties and functions with sororities, in which the recruits have been able to participate. Upcoming activities include a formal, homecoming activities, a faculty dinner and other theme parties. The fraternity feels that this gives potential members a chance to get to know each active and see firsthand how the brotherhood works.
Sig Ep has recruited three new members since the beginning of summer.
According to the recruitment chair, Michael Thomas, last year’s recruitment process proved to be more of a challenge for the newly formed chapter than this semester because they had to overcome the reputation of the former failed chapter. They have worked to make a new, distinctive name for their brotherhood.
The old Sig Ep chapter was taken off campus during the last school year because of a high de-activation rate and a low grade point average. Thomas notes that the GPA. of the former chapter sank to 2.56 before they were taken off of campus. Now, however, he praises the new Sig Eps for aGPA. of 3.31, which ranked them No. 2 last year in overall highest GPA among fraternities at SMU.
Also, no active member has been de-activated from the fraternity since it has been re-founded. Thomas credits these improvements as part of the reason their recruitment process is taking off so successfully and enhancing the quality and diversity of their members.
Perhaps the greatest distinction between the old and the new chapter is the Balanced Man Program. Michael Kirk, president of Sig Ep, strongly supports this four- year member development program that serves as the structure and framework for the fraternity.
Its purpose is to help each member “grow into stronger, well-rounded leaders that are prepared to leave SMU and Sig Ep and become leaders in their own careers and communities,” Kirk said. The program is a part of the fraternity’s national guidelines and is implemented in 80 percent to85 percent of all chapters across the U.S.
Thomas also strongly supports the BMP, largely because of its strict no-hazing policy. He feels this sets their chapter apart from the others at SMU and conveys to recruits that Sig Ep is not just a “big party frat,” but is one that is “striving to be diverse.”
The program also includes three phases: the Sigma, the Phi, and the Epsilon. Each rite signifies a different aspect of Sig Ep, such as philanthropy, traditions, and outside activities. Thomas believes the Balanced Man Program encourages the actives to participate in culturally enriching activities, even outside of the fraternity that will enrich their college experience and encourage them to be more well rounded.
Kirk also credits the program for establishing a new and different Sig Ep chapter. “We pride ourselves in the fact that we aren’t a typical fraternity,” Kirk said.
The chapter offers different opportunities through the BMP that teaches everyone “discipline, unity, pride, and an amazing sense of brotherhood,” Kirk said
The knowledge of Sig Ep’s no-hazing policy and the Balanced Man Program might offer non-Greek students a different option, in contrast to the pledging practices of other fraternities and their more traditional structures.
Members feel that this year’s freshmen and upper-classmen have taken notice of what Sig Ep has to offer and have attended several of the events that the fraternity has sponsored.
And as they delve into a new semester, Kirk feels confident that the attention Sig Ep has received from the recruits has proved the chapter’s re-foundation to be a huge success. Kirk hopes that the changes they have made will result in them becoming “one of the best chapters on the SMU campus.”
