Katie Maley/The Daily Northwestern
Sigma Phi Epsilon members engage in a chapter meeting. NU’s chapter is one of many nationwide to join the Balanced Man Program, which encourages leadership, community involvement and personal growth from its members.When Northwestern students think of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, many say one thing comes to mind: great parties.It is a sign of health when members are not afraid to speak their minds. Right?
But beyond the party frat boy image, they might find Sig Ep members are gentlemen too.
NU’s Sig Ep chapter, like many nationwide, implemented the Balanced Man Program, a four-year leadership and development course. The program encourages personal growth among members through experiences such as mentoring, community involvement and team-building exercises.
The goal is to make them well-rounded by developing attributes such as physical fitness and academic responsibility.
“The quality of people coming into the fraternity helps make the program work,” Weinberg junior and Sig Ep President Pete Papagiannopoulos said. “We want people who treat others with respect. We look for those people and they look for you.”
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Weinberg sophomore and Sig Ep member Paul Boye said the program teaches members skills that will benefit them after college.
“Studying with half a dozen guys in the library is equally as encouraging as working out with half a dozen guys in the gym,” Boye said. “This healthy life of balance is something to desire well beyond Northwestern.”
But not all members share Boye’s enthusiasm for the program.
A.J. Giovannetti, Communication junior and Sig Ep’s vice president for programming, said the NU chapter rejects certain elements of Balanced Man, such as its commitment to recruiting members throughout the year and eliminating pledge classes. Sig Ep adheres to the NU policy of recruitment at the beginning of Winter Quarter.
“They are going on too conservative a path,” Giovannetti said. “We adapt between what the national (organization) wants us to do and what NU allows.”
The Daily Northwestern - Sig Ep draws mixed reactions from members as it tries to improve image with Balanced Man Program
