No One is Useless - You Can Always Be A Bad Example

SC Alpha gets the star treatment. And so, by association, does all of SigEp. Don't even get me started about Vermont.

Brothers, we know we are better than this. When are we going to show it?

This article asserts that, as a group, women are outperforming men on college campuses in both academic and leadership measures. And sororities are outperforming fraternities based on measures such as Fraternity/Sorority GPA vs. all men/women GPA.

What do those of you "in the trenches" as either students or campus professionals see? Is this accurate? If so what role can SigEp play in raising the game of fraternity involvement?

Women zoom ahead of men in college - Education - TheState.com:

"What’s wrong with male college students?

A lot, it seems.

They come to college better prepared than their female counterparts. Then, they underperform.

Consider the case lesson offered by Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Alpha chapter at the University of South Carolina.

After a series of alcohol-related incidents and damage to its fraternity house, the fraternity got with university officials and established a series of goals that, if completed, could have put the local chapter back in good standing. But university and fraternity officials say the young men simply didn’t do what was asked of them, and earlier this month the fraternity suspended its Alpha chapter’s charter.

USC officials said they were disappointed — but not totally surprised.

Dennis Pruitt, USC’s vice president for student affairs, said male college students at USC, and elsewhere, are not seizing academic and leadership opportunities with the same zeal as female students."

'via Blog this'

Western KY Greeks Adopt New Grade Standards

IFC institutes new GPA requirements by Kathrine Wade Some fraternities at WKU could be facing penalties for low GPAs starting in the fall.

The Interfraternity Council, which acts as a judicial body for fraternities on campus, has made a scholarship bylaw revision that will require fraternities to maintain a certain GPA.

Hawesville junior Billy Stephens, a member of Sigma Chi and vice president of recruitment for the IFC, said IFC came up with the new plan in order to help people with lower grades.

“Our old scholarship plan was very vague and had a lot of loopholes,” he said. “It didn’t really benefit anyone.”
According to the new bylaw, a chapter is placed in a warning semester if its semester GPA is between a 2.5 and 2.6.

If the chapter GPA drops to between 2.25 and 2.5, it’s placed in level one academic probation. If the chapter GPA falls below 2.25, it’s placed in level two academic probation.

Both levels of academic probation can result in the chapter being restricted from social activities and intramurals. That’s along with being required to attend TLC study hours, academic workshops, as well as submitting monthly grade reports to the IFC Executive Council.

Stephens said he thinks these changes will cause fraternity members to concentrate more on improving their grades.

“I think they’re going to take it more seriously,” he said. “You have to get the grades or be baby-sitted.”

Bowling Green junior John Hughes, president of the IFC and a member of Kappa Alpha Order, said he was excited about the new academic bylaws.

He said that although none of the fraternities take grades lightly, now they will have an easier time realizing what they need to do if they get off track.

“This should raise awareness of whenever you get on that borderline,” he said.

Hughes also hopes these revisions will help improve the reputation of the IFC among the fraternities.

“Our goal is not just to lay down the law,” he said. “It is to help and do the best things for our Greek community. The best thing we can do to better scholastics is to be more involved.”

http://wkuherald.com/news/article_550be2cc-5996-11e0-b1be-00127992bc8b.html

Dallas Carlson Leadership academy (CLA)

The CLA in Dallas was well attended and by all accounts a success. We were fortunate to have both the current Grand President Steve Shanklin(OGH) and former GP Gary Griffith(OGH) in attendance. In addition to the expected "podium chores" they also were active leaders in the Chapter Officer training sessions.

The only hitch was that several of the expected faculty had to drop out at the last minute due to illness or transportation issues. Fortunately the folks who were there have done this a time or two and were able to ensure all sessions were covered. Bro. Lamar Roach(OGH) came with his Lamar University chapter. (He said he got a "weekend pass" from his children.) He and I went to the SEC/Sigma session during the Ritual and gave an impromptu personal discourse on the meaning and persistance of the ideals in the Ritual. (The lads may be warped for life now.)

Chapter and individual awards were given out over the weekend. Many Chapters showed impressive gains in manpower, grades, housing, alumni support, and other areas. Two Chapters stood out, however. St. Mary's SEC (shown below) and the recently rechartered Oklahoma Alpha (OK State University) both seemed to wear a path to the podium, each picking up several awards noting the hard work of the chapters and the support of alumni in their area.


CLA Dallas 2008_3 054
Originally uploaded by wordjunky.

The Education Foundation, which sponsors the CLA, held a reception for Dallas area alumni on Saturday evening which was well attended. Many of the alums stayed for the ritual presentation and the dinner afterwards. I thought it was a subtle but effective way to encourage those who may not have been active to become more involved.

I was asked by HQ to take photographs of the event for use in future marketing efforts. Here is a link to a few representative samples. If your chapter was there and you remember a camera in your face drop us a line. We'll be glad to send pictures for your web site, scrapbook or newsletter. Please: Dallas CLA only. The rest of you are on your own.

‘We are ready to take this campus by storm’

Indiana Beta (IU) is preparing to move back into their house. The chapter was closed in 2002 by HQ and re-established in 2006.

The current Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity house at 815 N. Jordan Ave. will be occupied by Sigma Phi Epsilon beginning this fall after a six year hiatus from campus. Sigma Phi Epsilon closed its IU chapter in 2002.

Brandon Foltz • IDS

After a six-year absence from their house, the brothers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Beta chapter will be returning home for the fall 2008 semester.

The house, located at 815 N. Jordan Ave., is currently going through a seven-figure renovation to update the facility, said Tyler Coward, public relations chairman for Sigma Phi Epsilon.

“All of the guys are excited about moving in,” Coward said. “It will be good to be all together in one place.”
[...]
The Beta chapter was re-established by its national headquarters in 2006 and has been growing ever since, said Cale O’Bryan, vice president of communications for the fraternity.

Coward said the fraternity has 70 members and is still looking for more.

“We are always looking for new members to join,” he said. “Our recruitment is a rolling, year-round recruitment.”

Coward said members of the fraternity become part of the “Balanced Man” program, which requires them to complete different challenges to progress in the fraternity. He said they focus on more than just partying.

Sigma Phi Epsilon president Pat O’Marro said the fraternity is different from the stereotypical idea of fraternities people might have in their minds.

Since the fraternity was re-established, he said, its core principles have become “a sound mind and a sound body.”
[...]
O’Bryan said that in December, the fraternity received the “The Highest Standard of Excellence Award” from the IU greek community. He said Sigma Phi Epsilon ranks among the top three fraternities with the highest GPA on campus.
[...]
O’Bryan said moving back in the chapter house is just the start of more things to come.

“We are ready to take this campus by storm,” he said.

Well, they already have the non-PC design set up for them.

‘We are ready to take this campus by storm’

Fraternity eliminates pledging

Yes, it is SigEp they are referring to. This article could have been written at HQ, it is so positive on the BMP.

COLUMBIA-It has been three years since it was punished for hazing, and MU’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has made a number of changes to become a better fraternity. Now, it has taken the fight one step further by eliminating pledging.

The fraternity commonly known as Sig Ep, which was disciplined by MU’s Greek Judicial Board for hazing in fall 2004, has adopted the national chapter’s Balanced Man program, an initiative that focuses on the growth and development of members from the moment they step into the house through graduation.

The program also throws out pledging, an intense period of initiation ranging from a few months to a full semester when potential members undergo rigorous education about the fraternity. In some cases, the rite includes hazing, verbal abuse and other rituals, such as cleaning older members’ rooms.
[...]
Unlike other fraternities, which have new members go through a pledge phase, new Sig Eps are automatically conferred member status, meaning they can vote on chapter issues and run for office. New members are mentored by older members and faculty who help them meet different objectives such as leading service projects and meeting the chapter’s 3.0 grade-point requirement.
[...]
To raise the fraternity’s standards, the directors began to recruit and evaluate new members based on ACT scores, grade-point average, campus involvement and overall character. John Hartman, the chapter’s alumni advisor, said Sig Ep is looking at the bigger picture.

“We’re trying to change the image of the fraternity system,” he said. “We don’t want that frat boy, ‘Animal House’ image. We want our fraternity to produce leaders.”
[...]
Adam Berkowitz, president of Alpha Kappa Lambda, said he understands the desire to eliminate pledging because the rite does have a bad reputation. But, he said, that reputation is not necessarily deserved.

“We absolutely do not haze our pledges,” Berkowitz said. “For us, it’s a growth stage. We educate about our house. It’s very positive.”

Berkowitz said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Balanced Man program gives Sig Ep a recruiting advantage, but he would advise potential members that other fraternities, such as Alpha Kappa Lambda, also value good grades and mentorship of younger members. Berkowitz agrees with Sig Ep’s mission to change the fraternity stereotype, but he wishes the chapter would share its ideas with other fraternities.

“You can’t change the fraternity stereotype alone,” he said. “We all want to change it. Few people know what we do for the community, the campus, what we stand for.”

Columbia Missourian - Fraternity eliminates pledging

"SigEp Inc." Marches on

Just in time for Conclave - the wonderful folks at HQ are showing their, er, 'assets' by announcing yet another partnership deal. This time they are linking up with Veritas, a test prep company that seems to specialize in the GMAT.

Fair warning: Even with a 10% discount these courses are not cheap.
The operative phase here is "Caveat Emptor". By the way, did we mention that Veritas will have a vendor booth at Conclave?

San Diego Sig Eps Clean Up at Greek Awards Ceremony

Chapters receive recognition during Unity Night on Monday

Greek Weeks 2007 came to a close on Monday after Unity Night was held in Montezuma Hall.Sororities, fraternities and some individual Greek members received academic awards and this year's outstanding Greeks were recognized as well.

The Greek Man of the Year awards went to Tim Velasquez and David Judge; and Greek Woman of the Year went to Amanda Venegas, Anna Nguyen and Brittany Abrams.

Greek New Member of the Year awards went to Spencer Neft, Kimberly Guzman and Alicia Gomez, the latter of whom is a psychology major who also won an award for most improved grade-point average.

Awards for Chapter President of the Year went to Justin Motika, Kimi Marshall, Denishia Clark and Beckie Cecil.

Sigma Phi Epsilon nearly cleaned up all of the Inter-Fraternity Council awards. Sigma Phi Epsilon received the highest chapter GPA, highest initiate GPA and the highest new member GPA awards. Sigma Alpha Mu received the most improved chapter GPA award.

Individual IFC awards went to Jonathan Tucker from Sigma Phi Epsilon for the highest SDSU GPA and Sean Olah from Zeta Beta Tau for the most improved GPA.

"Everyone here tonight should be proud of the accomplishments that these students are being recognized for," said Kim Stokely, the assistant coordinator for fraternity and sorority life, to the audience. "Because it is the combination of intelligent and dedicated students, thoughtful faculty and staff and encouraging friends and families that make those accomplishments possible."At the end of the evening, Mama's Kitchen, the philanthropy for Greek Week, received a check for
$20,000.

Purdue Frat GPA drops below "All Men" Avg. - Sig Ep excluded from calculation.

The All fraternity GPA at Purdue has dropped below the All Man's average. However, if the GPA of fraternities on suspension and probation had been included the story would be different. SigEp is currently on suspension for Alcohol violations.

The exclusion of suspended and probated fraternities may have caused the Purdue average fraternity grade point average to drop.

According to the University's fall 2006 Interfraternity Council GPA report, the average fraternity GPA dropped from 2.727 in fall 2005 to 2.717 this fall. That is lower than the all-men GPA, which increased from 2.715 in fall 2005 to 2.733 this fall.

Sigma Phi Epsilon and Tau Kappa Epsilon were left out of the overall GPA report for fall 2006 because they were on suspension and probation. Beta Chi Theta is an associate chapter of the Interfraternity Council and is not yet eligible to be included. Two out of the three would have ranked in the top five if included in the fall 2006 report.

Tau Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Phi Epsilon, which would have been among the highest scoring fraternities in terms of GPA, were also excluded from other interfraternity activities, such as philanthropy.

Sigma Phi Epsilon president Matt Pettigrew said that if his fraternity was included, it would have ranked second with a 2.996 GPA. The fraternity was suspended in March 2006 until May 1st due to hazing violations and other alcohol violations.

"Our new member class also placed second with a GPA of 2.844 - seven members scored a 4.0 and 22 of our members scored 3.5 or higher," Pettigrew wrote in an email.

"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Maybe not, but drunk and smart doesn't seem to work out so well, either.

The Exponent - Purdue's Student Newspaper

Pepperdine Sig Eps Plan 10 Year Goals

Frat marks 10 years, considers the future
JAIMIE FRANKLIN - Assistant News Editor

The oldest national fraternity chapter on campus will celebrate its 10th anniversary Saturday. Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon will unveil a 10-year plan created to guide future generations to meet ambitious goals.

The plan consists of three parts intended to improve the college experiences of members and the prestige of the fraternity. This includes raising the average cumulative GPA of members to 3.5, raising $25,000 in philanthropic funds per semester, and achieving a 90 percent involvement rate in chapter activities by the year 2017.

Currently, the average GPA of Sig Ep members is roughly 3.0 President David Nesbitt-Munet, a junior, said increasing this number is part of the major reason why members are at Pepperdine in the first place.

“The main reason we’re all here is for academics,” he said. “If you’re not working hard, you’re wasting your time here.”

Pepperdine’s Sig Ep chapter is already recognized nationally for its philanthropic work, but increasing fundraising is among their main concerns in the coming years. Their annual blood drive held each spring generates nearly $25,000 worth of blood, which is donated to the American Red Cross. Their fall philanthropy, “Queen of Hearts” fundraising competition among sororities that ends with a beauty pageant, may be cancelled next year and replaced with a different campaign that will raise more money to reach the $50,000 annual goal. It is not known what the new program will be.

Increasing involvement in chapter activities, as well as other campus organizations is also among the chief concerns cited in the plan. The fraternity plans on giving each of their members an office position and requiring all members to be involved in at least one other campus organization.

“There’s always going to be guys that feel like they have more important things to do,” said Taylor Hardman, a freshman Sig Ep member who took part in developing the plan. “But we’re a brotherhood. We all need to be involved.”

Sig Ep member Matt Hubbell, a senior, came up with the idea of developing the 10-year plan after attending a leadership conference and reviewing a similar plan for the national Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

“One thing I really noticed is that every time there is a new [executive] board we have a few weaknesses we want to fix but there’s really nothing we’re shooting for,” Hubbell said. “We’re more productive if we shoot for something over the long term— the next 10 generations of Sig Eps.”

According to group members, each of the goals presented is inextricably linked with the fraternity’s motto of “building balanced leaders for the world community.”
“Any type of business or organization that doesn’t have a plan for the future looses sight of their main purpose,” Nesbitt-Munet said. “[This plan] will make sure we stay focused and it gives people something to strive for.”

The goals set by the fraternity reflect the personal values of members, as well. Changing the perception many student’s have of fraternities has been a major goal of the Inter Fraternity Council, according to Nesbitt-Munet.

“People come to college with horrible, horrible ideas of what a fraternity is,” Nesbitt-Munet said. “But Pepperdine couldn’t brag or boast about raising money without fraternities and sororities.”

The plan may also motivate other Greek organizations on campus to take similar steps when approaching milestone years.

“We’re very motivated and focused and we’ve set in stone what we want to accomplish,” Hardman said.

“Hopefully this will get more guys to shoot for high standards.”

Great News from Cal Beta

This just in from the left coast:

---

From: Robert Hughes
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 9:38 AM
To:
Subject: Great News from Cal Beta

Gentlemen,

Hope all is well.

Just wanted to share the amazing news with you that the grades just came out for last semester and we had a 3.33 average.

We beat our rival AGO, who has consistently had the row's highest gpa, by 0.11 points.

Unfortunately, we are now ranked second behind Phi Delt but we're not going to settle for that and I'm confident that we'll pass them up this spring.

This is the highest house gpa that I've seen in my years as an undergrad and I'm excited to see what the chapter does after I graduate in a couple of months.

Take care.

Rob Hughes
Cal Beta