Sigma Phi Epsilon

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University at Buffalo | New York Epsilon Chapter

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What is a fraternity?

A fraternity is a group of men who believe and live by the same set of values, and foster a close friendship through those values. These values bind together not only the current chapter members, but members and alumni throughout the country. Fraternity men incorporate these values in all aspects of their lives, never letting go of those beliefs. Sigma Phi Epsilon’s values are Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love.

Why does Sigma Phi Epsilon pride itself on being “different?”

SigEp prides itself on being different because that difference has helped us come to lead the fraternity world. SigEps refuse to be stereotyped as “frat boys,” nor its chapters as “animal houses.” Sigma Phi Epsilon is dedicated to the idea that a fraternity is much more than a social organization — it is an institution of higher learning; one that centers around the ideals of allowing one to live his best life.

My son is considering joining Sigma Phi Epsilon. What should I expect?

When a young man joins Sigma Phi Epsilon, he immediately finds out he has joined something unique. In joining a Balanced Man Progam (BMP) chapter, he instantly becomes a brother. The BMP eliminates pledging from the chapter experience, and puts an emphasis on continued development throughout college and beyond.

You should expect he will be involved in the chapter, on campus, and in the community. By your son becoming a SigEp, he will be exposed to a life of balance and encouraged to pursue leadership.

What is the cost of membership in the fraternity?

To join Sigma Phi Epsilon each member pays a registration fee due within 24 hours of joining. For a Balanced Man Program chapter the cost is $275.

UB’s SigEp Balanced Man Program Chapter $275

  • Immediate enrollment in our national liability insurance program
  • Lifetime Responsibility of Brotherhood, the manual of the Fraternity
  • Balanced Man Pin
  • Membership Card
  • Membership Certificate
  • The Quest, a guide to continuous development in the Balanced Man Program
  • Lifetime subscription to The Journal of Sigma Phi Epsilon, the alumni magazine of the Fraternity

Each chapter has its own local dues that go into the chapter’s operating budget. The amount varies from chapter to chapter, but there are some costs that are paid directly to our National Headquarters. Every fall your son pays $115 in annual dues to National Headquarters. He also pays for liability insurance, which is assessed in the spring. The amount varies from year to year. This year it is $128 per member, and last year it was $126. Sigma Phi Epsilon currently has the lowest insurance premium of any national fraternity due to our small amount of claims in the past years.

What is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s stance on hazing?

Sigma Phi Epsilon is clear and concise in its stance against hazing. Hazing is illegal; therefore it has no place in the Fraternity. Sigma Phi Epsilon holds its members to the highest possible standard, so breaking the laws of the country, state, and university will not be tolerated.

Sigma Phi Epsilon truly believes that the words “hazing” and “fraternity” are not interchangeable. SigEp has, for many years, been breaking the stereotype that fraternities haze. The National Fraternity, through programming and leadership opportunities, has promoted the idea of safe and responsible development. Hazing is the direct opposite of everything Sigma Phi Epsilon represents.

What is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s stance on substance and alcohol abuse?

Sigma Phi Epsilon does not promote the use of alcohol in any manner whatsoever. It is the national fraternity’s opinion that alcohol should only be used in a safe and responsible manner by people of legal age.

Sigma Phi Epsilon goes to great lengths to educate its members on alcohol and its effects. Through national programming, Sigma Phi Epsilon helps its members understand the consequences of one’s choices when alcohol is involved. SigEp also promotes risk management guidelines to help chapters and members make smart decisions when it comes to alcohol.

What is the Leadership Continuum?

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Leadership Continuum is a balance of self-development and team leadership skills training composed of five programs available to every single brother:

- EDGE: a two-day, high-intensity program that takes place in a camp setting and helps new members set goals for personal and academic performance throughout their college years and beyond. New SigEps leave EDGE understanding the fators that could hinder their development as balanced men and are reinvigorated in their decision to join SigEp, emposwered to make smart choices about their behavior and involvement in college.

- Carlson Leadership Academy (CLA): these are the cornerstone of chapter officer and volunteer training. Over 60,000 SigEps and volunteers have benefited from this program. The CLA enables SigEp chapters and their members to effectively translate ideas into action.

- Ruck Leadership Institute: is a dynamic, high-level, leadership development experience where undergraduates from across the nation gather at the University of Richmond and the College of William and Mary for an intense, five-day experience. These Ruck scholars see the visions, “this fraternity will be different,” come to life in an interactive learning environment. This advanced program, nicknamed “SigEp Top Gun” teaches the few to impact the many - the next generation of SigEp leaders.

- Grand Chapter Conclave: these five-day biennial conventions are the Ultimate SigEp experience. The Grand Chapter, composed of undergraduate delegates, sets policy for the future, SigEp recognized its best chapters and alumni with its most prestigious awards, and it’s a reunion opportunity for Brothers worldwide. Our next Grand Chapter Conclave will take place in Orlando, Florida, during August 2009.

- Tragos Quest to Greece: this is the ultimate exploration of Sound Mind and Sound Body - an opportunity unmatched in higher education and in other fraternities today. Led by volunteer mentors, SigEps, and university faculty, participants learn about the genesis of he Fraternity’s Mission, Values, and Ideals through a once-in-a-lifetime student abroad program in ancient Greece. These scholars experience the quintessential part of the Leadership Continuum by living the Balanced Man Ideal in the place where it all started.

Through self-discovery, analysis, and interaction, brothers develop skills necessary to lead balanced lives and to continue leading the fraternity world.

Who are some of SigEp’s alumni and what do they say about the SigEp experience?

Sigma Phi Epsilon has a long tradition of alumni. These men excel in their respective fields. Among them are businessmen, world leaders, renowned artists, and all-star athletes.

Notable SigEps (just to name a few):

Academia

Arts, entertainment, and media

Business

Government and politics

Military

Science and medicine

Sports

The greatest thing about SigEp alumni is they truly believe in the SigEp Experience. The proof is that our alumni continue to volunteer to help chapters and members. They continually donate money to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation for programs and scholarships. SigEp alumni believe that the SigEp experience is a lifetime commitment, and that is why they keep coming back to support the fraternity and its endeavors.

 

Your son will have the opportunity to build upon 50+ years of tradition, honor, and success at the University at Buffalo, and to get the fraternity experience that he wants. We are one of the oldest fraternities at the University at Buffalo, being founded on April 10, 1954.

 

There is no pledging and no hazing at the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at the University at Buffalo. Your son becomes a member of the chapter when he accepts our invitation to join.

 

 

Some interesting facts of Sigma Phi Epsilon National Fraternity:

· For 21 consecutive years, SigEp has been selected as the fraternity of choice by college males through their decision to join.

· 5,300-5,600 men choose to join annually (based upon the last 10 years).

· SigEp maintains the highest first-year member retention rate, over 90%, of any national fraternity.

Your son will join over 14,000 undergraduates and 255,000 alumni when joining Sigma Phi Epsilon. He will set the standard, raise the bar, leave a legacy at UB, and network with thousands of alumni locally and nationally.


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