About Us
The Fraternity's mission has been refined to be "Building Balanced Men." With these three words, we capture the essence of SigEp's value to its members: charting a course for men to live their best lives by embracing our cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love and committing to the practice of Sound Mind and Sound Body.
The men of SigEp can follow this course through every role in their lives. Every element of SigEp's short- and long-term plan is designed to deliver on this mission.
Why the change?
The mission has been "Building Balanced Leaders for the World's Communities" since 2001. The previous mission allowed the Fraternity to build a range of local and national programs to allow men to enhance leadership abilities and forge a strong brotherhood. Going forward, we will continue to refine and improve these leader-oriented programs while we focus on the holistic elements of balance that create a man's best life as leader, brother, husband, father, mentor, community servant, and citizen.
With an estimated quarter million members, SigEp's live, serve and work around the globe. They are having significant impact in business, government, community service and academia. Our mission is carried out through chapters and by cultivating the connections alumni have with one another.
- http://www.sigep.org
The men of SigEp can follow this course through every role in their lives. Every element of SigEp's short- and long-term plan is designed to deliver on this mission.
Why the change?
The mission has been "Building Balanced Leaders for the World's Communities" since 2001. The previous mission allowed the Fraternity to build a range of local and national programs to allow men to enhance leadership abilities and forge a strong brotherhood. Going forward, we will continue to refine and improve these leader-oriented programs while we focus on the holistic elements of balance that create a man's best life as leader, brother, husband, father, mentor, community servant, and citizen.
With an estimated quarter million members, SigEp's live, serve and work around the globe. They are having significant impact in business, government, community service and academia. Our mission is carried out through chapters and by cultivating the connections alumni have with one another.
- http://www.sigep.org
Parent FAQ
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 are the values that keep current chapter members, alumni, and other members across the country together. Fraternity men hold fast to and implement these values in every aspect of their lives. Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon adhere to the principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love.
WHY DOES SIGMA PHI EPSILON PRIDE ITSELF ON BEING DIFFERENT THAN OTHER FRATERNITIES?
Our philosophies have allowed SigEp to change the connotation of the word 'fraternity'. SigEp's do not tolerate being referred to as "frat boys" or living in an "animal house". We are a fraternity of firsts, including being the first fraternity to charter a chapter in all 50 states, the first national fraternity to not discriminate recruits because of their race, the first to partner with the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, and many more. Sigma Phi Epsilon strives to uphold the idea that a fraternity is not just a social organization, but rather an organization that assists and nurtures men into living the best life possible.
MY SON IS CONSIDERING JOINING SIGMA PHI EPSILON, WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
When a young man joins a SigEp chapter, he will immediately notice that he has joined a unique organization. By joining a Balanced Man Program (BMP) chapter, he instantly becomes a member. The Balanced Man Program completely eliminates the traditional model system of joining a fraternity, and instead allows men to constantly develop themselves throughout their college experience, and beyond. A SigEp parent should expect their son to be involved not only in his chapter, but also on his campus, and in the community. He will constantly be encouraged to take up leadership roles that offer themselves to him, and ultimately embrace the life of a balanced man.
WHAT IS SIGMA PHI EPSILON'S STANCE ON HAZING?
Sigma Phi Epsilon's stance on hazing is clear and unwavering. Hazing is illegal; It has no place in the fraternity. We hold ourselves to the highest values, so breaking any laws, whether federal, state, or local, will not be tolerated. SigEp believes that the words "hazing" and "fraternity" are not interchangeable, and for years has been breaking the stereotype that fraternities haze.
WHAT IS THE BALANCED MAN PROGRAM?
The Balanced Man Program is a system of personal development that helps members grow as leaders, scholars, athletes, and gentlemen. It consists of four different challenges - Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and Brother Mentor - that requires members to fulfill certain requirements in order to proceed on to the next challenge. The challenges are designed to introduce brothers to fraternity life, promote them to be active in the community, and most importantly, build strong and everlasting bonds between each other.
WHAT ABOUT ACADEMICS?
Sigma Phi Epsilon is a national leader in academics. Academic performance and scholastic achievement are signs of Sound Minds at work. Reinforcing the value of education and its importance, Sigma Phi Epsilon exists to advance the mission of the college or university where it has a chapter. SigEp has the highest GPA out of all the national fraternities and our chapter is consistently above the University and Greek average (1st out of all student organizations currently). SigEp's have a strong commitment to academics, and odds are your son will make better grades as a member of SigEp.
CAN FRATERNITIES HELP ME EVEN AFTER I GRADUATE?
Yes! Fraternity members achieve success. College graduates who belong to a fraternity or sorority tend to be more successful financially than other college graduates. 80% of the CEO of Fortune 500 companies were in fraternal organizations, as were all but two of the Presidents and Vice-Presidents for the last 100 years. Many companies give the hiring edge to Greeks, because they realize a fraternity member is much better trained and equipped to be a success in the business world than is the smartest of graduates who did not have the benefit of a fraternity or sorority.
FRATERNITY MEMBERS ARE VERY CLIQUISH, AREN'T THEY?
By far, this is not the truth at UC Riverside. Greek students represent a variety of ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds. Students of all majors and interests are affiliated with fraternities. One of the greatest aspects of Greek Life is that each chapter offers something different to each member.
WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP CONTINUUM?
Sigma Phi Epsilon's Leadership Continuum is a balance of self-development and team leadership skills training composed in four programs: EDGE, the Carlson Leadership Academy, the Ruck Leadership Institute, and Tragos Quest to Greece. Through self-discovery, analysis, and interaction, members develop skills necessary to lead balanced lives and to continue leading the fraternity world.
DON'T GREEK ORGANIZATIONS TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME?
Fraternity membership requires anywhere from 2 to 8 hours a week. Whether it be a community service project, planning an event, or regular weekly meetings, Greek members have learned to manage their time wisely with other commitments such as schoolwork, a job, and significant others. This is why so many members have succeeded in their lives.
THE FOLLOWING IS A PARTIAL LIST OF REASONS YOUR SON WILL BENEFIT FROM SIGMA PHI EPSILON:
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 are the values that keep current chapter members, alumni, and other members across the country together. Fraternity men hold fast to and implement these values in every aspect of their lives. Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon adhere to the principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love.
WHY DOES SIGMA PHI EPSILON PRIDE ITSELF ON BEING DIFFERENT THAN OTHER FRATERNITIES?
Our philosophies have allowed SigEp to change the connotation of the word 'fraternity'. SigEp's do not tolerate being referred to as "frat boys" or living in an "animal house". We are a fraternity of firsts, including being the first fraternity to charter a chapter in all 50 states, the first national fraternity to not discriminate recruits because of their race, the first to partner with the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy, and many more. Sigma Phi Epsilon strives to uphold the idea that a fraternity is not just a social organization, but rather an organization that assists and nurtures men into living the best life possible.
MY SON IS CONSIDERING JOINING SIGMA PHI EPSILON, WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
When a young man joins a SigEp chapter, he will immediately notice that he has joined a unique organization. By joining a Balanced Man Program (BMP) chapter, he instantly becomes a member. The Balanced Man Program completely eliminates the traditional model system of joining a fraternity, and instead allows men to constantly develop themselves throughout their college experience, and beyond. A SigEp parent should expect their son to be involved not only in his chapter, but also on his campus, and in the community. He will constantly be encouraged to take up leadership roles that offer themselves to him, and ultimately embrace the life of a balanced man.
WHAT IS SIGMA PHI EPSILON'S STANCE ON HAZING?
Sigma Phi Epsilon's stance on hazing is clear and unwavering. Hazing is illegal; It has no place in the fraternity. We hold ourselves to the highest values, so breaking any laws, whether federal, state, or local, will not be tolerated. SigEp believes that the words "hazing" and "fraternity" are not interchangeable, and for years has been breaking the stereotype that fraternities haze.
WHAT IS THE BALANCED MAN PROGRAM?
The Balanced Man Program is a system of personal development that helps members grow as leaders, scholars, athletes, and gentlemen. It consists of four different challenges - Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and Brother Mentor - that requires members to fulfill certain requirements in order to proceed on to the next challenge. The challenges are designed to introduce brothers to fraternity life, promote them to be active in the community, and most importantly, build strong and everlasting bonds between each other.
WHAT ABOUT ACADEMICS?
Sigma Phi Epsilon is a national leader in academics. Academic performance and scholastic achievement are signs of Sound Minds at work. Reinforcing the value of education and its importance, Sigma Phi Epsilon exists to advance the mission of the college or university where it has a chapter. SigEp has the highest GPA out of all the national fraternities and our chapter is consistently above the University and Greek average (1st out of all student organizations currently). SigEp's have a strong commitment to academics, and odds are your son will make better grades as a member of SigEp.
CAN FRATERNITIES HELP ME EVEN AFTER I GRADUATE?
Yes! Fraternity members achieve success. College graduates who belong to a fraternity or sorority tend to be more successful financially than other college graduates. 80% of the CEO of Fortune 500 companies were in fraternal organizations, as were all but two of the Presidents and Vice-Presidents for the last 100 years. Many companies give the hiring edge to Greeks, because they realize a fraternity member is much better trained and equipped to be a success in the business world than is the smartest of graduates who did not have the benefit of a fraternity or sorority.
FRATERNITY MEMBERS ARE VERY CLIQUISH, AREN'T THEY?
By far, this is not the truth at UC Riverside. Greek students represent a variety of ethnic, economic, and social backgrounds. Students of all majors and interests are affiliated with fraternities. One of the greatest aspects of Greek Life is that each chapter offers something different to each member.
WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP CONTINUUM?
Sigma Phi Epsilon's Leadership Continuum is a balance of self-development and team leadership skills training composed in four programs: EDGE, the Carlson Leadership Academy, the Ruck Leadership Institute, and Tragos Quest to Greece. Through self-discovery, analysis, and interaction, members develop skills necessary to lead balanced lives and to continue leading the fraternity world.
DON'T GREEK ORGANIZATIONS TAKE UP A LOT OF TIME?
Fraternity membership requires anywhere from 2 to 8 hours a week. Whether it be a community service project, planning an event, or regular weekly meetings, Greek members have learned to manage their time wisely with other commitments such as schoolwork, a job, and significant others. This is why so many members have succeeded in their lives.
THE FOLLOWING IS A PARTIAL LIST OF REASONS YOUR SON WILL BENEFIT FROM SIGMA PHI EPSILON:
- He'll have a group of supportive friends to help him make the adjustment to college and be his friends for life.
- He'll be offered scholastic resources to help him achieve his academic goals.
- He'll be taught leadership skills and offered hands-on opportunities to practice those skills.
- He'll be encouraged to get involved in the campus and the community and exercise his fullest potential.
- He'll be taught the importance of improving oneself through active participation in community service projects.
- He'll be exposed to career opportunities through interaction with fraternity alumni.
- He'll enhance those "people skills" so essential to happy, productive living.
