SigEp ASU - Spring Rush 2013

This video was shot using a "GoPro" camera http://gopro.com/
Incredible action shots.

Hits and misses from SigEp's intro to Shotgun with the NRA

We had a post about this earlier, but now we have "Genuine Official Video from the NRA".

Hits and misses from SigEp's intro to Shotgun with the NRA

Centreville, Virginia - When members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity made it up our way from Richmond's Virginia Commonwealth University, we decided to take a few cameras along to memorialize the occasion.

Above are some highlights (and lowlights) from the day's event.

Held at the Arlington Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the event was an introduction into the shotgun realm for most. With staff from NRA headquarters on hand, most took to the clays with the greatest of ease. Sure, there were a few stumbles at first, but everyone ultimately found their way.

If you'd like to try your hand at shotgun, head over to www.nrainstructors.org, click find a course, and start searching in your area. Soon enough, you'll be cracking clays of your own.

Across the Pond: Livin' la VDBL*

Mark, A 20 year-old SigEp from Drake, is living in Geneva for the summer and keeping track of it on his blog. SigEp features in the title of this post and a bit more in the body of it.

"I told them my life story and they were a little shocked to hear that I was only 20. Raffy was 27 and Mirko was 31. They began lamenting about how old they were and what not. To make them feel worse, I told them about how I'm going to be only a junior in college at Drake next year and I of course mentioned--now the reason for my clever title--SigEp.

I tried in vain, as I do with most people even in America, to explain what a fraternity is, why I'm involved, all of the benefits and what not."

Across the Pond: Livin' la VDBL*:

Spring Break is near...

...and the Berkeley Chapter celebrated by joining a cleanup effort.

3/15- SigEp took part in the Berkeley Project, in which we went to Indian Rock on the North side of Berkeley and cleaned up weeds. View was fairly spectacular on a Saturday afternoon. Here are pics:

Yup Great View. More pics at the link.

marinatedfreak: Spring Break is near...

"Coastal Tradition" neckties

We got a nice letter from "Spencer" at Coastal Traditions today. They have a line of neckties with a fraternity theme and wanted some exposure.

SigEp is prominent, but they also have SAE, Sigma Chi, KA, ATO, Kappa Sig, and others. They have a license 'bug' on the site so one may assume they are legit.

These guys get one free ad. After that they'll have to buy space.

Our story began in 2007, when two friends took the few dollars in their pocket and decided to follow their entrepreneurial dreams. It was time to leave the classroom and get to work.

With a commitment to superior quality and styles that people love to wear, Coastal Tradition was born in Columbia, South Carolina.

While the influence and foundation for our concept reaches to the history of the southeast shore, Coastal Tradition was envisioned out of personal necessity. We wanted to find fine clothes perfect for any occasion, whether it’s the beach or the boardroom. Our aim is to construct an exceptional product that our friends and family would enjoy wearing, and we hope that you would too.

We strive to provide excellent customer service for our classic designs, and we hope that you wear our apparel with pride and confidence.

Since our formation, we have been having the time of our lives! We hope that Coastal Tradition will bring that same enjoyment to your home as well.

Coastal Tradition is tailored for your lifestyle. And it's not merely a style, it's a way of life.

We particularly like the "Gameday" ties incorporating school colors. Wish we had seen that in time to order for homecoming!

(Shameless self-promotion alert...) When you order - tell them you saw it here. Maybe they'll send us a freebie!)

Coastal Tradition About Us

Athletes advise new arrivals

The Washington University at St Louis student paper has advice for new students.

Time management: two words that have been thrown at the freshman class so many times that the number would make one's head spin.

In order for this concept to take root, it needs to be combined with familiar experiences. From two seniors come the experiences that relay the importance of time management when it comes to everyone's favorite and most time-demanding pastime-sports.

In an interview with senior Scott Kaufman-Ross, intramural athlete and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Kaufman-Ross gave a new twist on an old theory.

"The more you do, the better [at time management] you get," said Kaufman-Ross. "It's easier to manage a schedule when you have stuff you know to you have to do," he continued.

His theory seemed particularly applicable because students with lots of time seem more prone to waste their time. Kaufman-Ross says the key to successful time management is, "a good amount [of commitments], not too much."

His theory seemed particularly applicable because students with lots of time seem more prone to waste their time. Kaufman-Ross says the key to successful time management is, "a good amount [of commitments], not too much."

Many do not believe intramural sports to be true sports because a lot of teams are very lenient with practice and workouts. Classmate Noah Barboza, though highly involved with intramural sports now, was also a member of the varsity football team for two years. He is also a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, works in the admissions office and is a referee and competitor for a number of intramural sports, including fraternity and co-ed teams.

"I did not have many problems with my schedule," he said.

Athletes advise new arrivals - FP Sports

Announcing - Blogger's Breakfast at Conclave

Get ready - The "Unofficial Blogger's Breakfast" will again be held at Conclave!

Mark your calendar for 8-9:30 am on Thursday, August 9

New! Sign up here so we can get an idea of how many to expect.

Join the S&P blog team for an informal breakfast gathering in the Kafe Köbenhavn restaurant, located in the Atrium Tower lobby. Hit the buffet, then come on over and find out what we are up to.

Everyone is welcome - even HQ staff!
Look for our sign on the table.

Why would you want to come to the Blogger's Breakfast?

• Meet the folks who put this blog together.
• Cure last night's "fun" with a Bloody Mary.
• Exchange ideas about better use of the web for communication.
• Share an opinion about the blog - pro, con, suggestions - all are welcome.
• ...Unless you had too many Bloody Marys.
• Get a "Heads-up" on our plans for the coming months.

No reservation needed. There is no extra fee for this event - you are already paying out the wazoo for the "official" registration - but you do have to buy your own breakfast. Just show up at Kafe Köbenhavn between 8 and 9:30 Thursday morning.

Questions? Contact us: wordjunky@gmail.com

Did this make it into the Conclave video?

It is pretty good, but some of the purists might swallow their tongues.

Brothers, if you didn't get a chance to see the Tugs video for 2007, then just follow these two links to get to it on YouTube. They are in two parts, so you'll have to watch both of them to see the whole thing.
-- Chuck Eberly

Here is the link for Part 2 of the Tugs video.

UW Calendar Gets More Attention

UW pinup honcho has it covered
By Nicole Brodeur
Seattle Times staff columnist

The Balanced Man of Sigma Phi Epsilon, we're told, has a taste for life's simple pleasures.

The ballet. The ability to prepare and present a meal. The dignity of a clean room. When it comes to a woman, the Balanced Man — as the University of Washington fraternity brothers refer to themselves — knows to open a door for her, walk behind her, even order for her in a restaurant.

And if that woman wants to slip on a bikini and a coy smile and pose for a calendar called "Women of UW"?

Well, the Balanced Man is cool with that. He'll even arrange for the photos, publish and sell it as a class project.

And when University Book Store officials pull the calendar off the shelves, as they did this week after some complaints, the Balanced Man will respond clearly and calmly.

"Well, we obviously don't agree with the comments that our calendar objectifies women," said Zachary Meissner, a member of Sigma Phi [Epsilon] and one of four students who developed and marketed the calendar.

(Actually, the bookstore boss said, it pulled the calendar because of improper references to the UW Business School. He said allegations of censorship are "deplorable.")

Two of Meissner's team members are women. The other is his fraternity brother and fellow Balanced Man, Jonathan Cat.

I had to ask: Didn't the sexy calendar go against the principles of the Balanced Man?

"The first thing a Balanced Man is taught is to respect women, to be gentlemanly and to see them as counterparts," Cat answered.

I'll accept that. Just as I'll accept their contention that the models weren't objectified.

The women posed willingly. They weren't plied with Jell-O shots at some Caribbean-theme bar and coaxed into stripping in an Aurora Avenue motel.

"Most certainly the women were treated well," Cat said. A few of the models are from his circle of friends.

And who can get angry when one woman's mother found the calendar brag-worthy, and bought 10 copies?

Now that it has been pulled from the University Book Store, the calendar will be sold for $15 at www.womenofuw.com and the two Dawg Den stores in the U District.

The UW chapter of Sigma Phi [Epsilon] has received national attention for the Balanced Man program since the national organization instituted it in 2004. At the time, the UW chapter was at risk of shutting down. Boozy parties and other indiscretions had 90 percent of the members leave UW or get kicked out.

Seven members stayed and turned the house around with etiquette classes, cultural outings and weekly cleanings.

"Spit-spot," was how Meissner described it. Just like Mary Poppins.

Now, the Balanced Man can add "crisis management" to his skill set.

"That's for sure," Cat said. "This whole debacle is less about the calendar than the situation."

It has been important, he said, to respond to criticism "in the right way that isn't defensive or degrading."

"That," he said, "is how a Balanced Man is different than someone else."
Great. Now put something on.

Who are you, and what have you done with my fraternity?

(Thanks to Gregg Presbury for this revelation)

A small entry in a news item today caught our eye:

Illinois College
Aurora: Mackenzie Buchanan has pledged to Sigma Phi Epsilon Literary Society

Apparently these folks have been around a while too...

Illinois College--Sigma Phi Epsilon

History

Illinois College is the only college in Illinois, and quite possibly, the only remaining college in the country that includes literary, fraternal and social activities in one organization. Initial literary society formation on the campus began in 1843 due to strong interest in intercollegiate oratory and requests for organizations specializing in literary and forensic expression.

The seven literary societies, three women’s (Gamma Delta, Chi Beta and Sigma Phi Epsilon) and four men’s (Sigma Pi, Phi Alpha, Gamma Nu and Pi Pi Rho), continue to flourish at Illinois College. They hold weekly business meetings and literary programs, where members offer debates, orations, essays, declamations, dramatic monologues, readings, extemporaneous speeches and individual compositions. They also offer many services and social activities that benefit society members, all Illinois College students and the Jacksonville community. Literary societies are a unique entity and are truly worth investigating.

Sigma Phi Epsilon
Nickname: Phips
Founded: 1916
Colors: Yellow and White
Motto: "Knowledge, Love and Service."
Flower: Daisy
Brothers: The men of Sigma Pi

So... when does the copyright infringement lawsuit go to trial?

U Washington's Calendar Sparks Debate

(And wouldn't you know, there's a Sig Ep connection!)

"Women of UW" calendar pulled
By Nick Perry
Seattle Times education reporter

Jeatt Walker, a University of Washington math student and aspiring model, thought she'd gotten her big break when she was named cover girl on the "Women of UW" calendar dreamed up by a group of business students.

But when Walker's proud mom went to the University Book Store last week to buy copies, she was turned away. The calendar had been pulled from the shelves.

Bookstore Chief Executive Bryan Pearce declined comment Tuesday night on what caused the about-face after the store earlier bought nearly 300 copies.

Part of the reason may lie in an e-mail campaign started by some students who say the calendar objectifies women.

The whole episode has yielded some surprising lessons about business and about life for the five students who produced the work for their entrepreneurship class.

Information

About the calendar: www.womenofuw.com

"I never would have guessed any of this going into it," said junior Zach Meissner, who began as the group's financial manager — and turned into its crisis manager.

Meissner said the students intended to produce "his and hers" calendars. But despite an eager group of males willing to pose, their market research showed consumers generally sought to buy only the female version.

About 30 women applied to pose, plus some friends were enlisted, Meissner said. The calendar features 13 of them; one month shows twins.

The shots are tame compared to many publications, Meissner said.

"We wanted to show beautiful women who were very successful with what they are doing at the UW," he said.

Walker, 20, said she had no doubts about signing up.

"When I first heard about it, I thought 'This is so rad. This is my chance to get connected to the school,' " she said.

"It was classy enough that I was not embarrassed to show it to my family. It was the first big thing I've been in."

She said the calendar "displayed a really good fact that women can be smart and beautiful. The UW is full of really powerful women."

But other students weren't so taken.

"As I flipped through its pages, I became increasingly upset at its blatant objectification of UW students," some wrote in an open letter to UW President Mark Emmert.

"More importantly, I was horrified at the prominent display of the University of Washington's name and trademark logos spread across the pages of the calendar, providing the background for female students posing in provocative outfits against campus settings."

Meissner said that in all, 1,500 calendars were produced, which the team of students is selling for $15 each.

So far, about 200 copies have sold, not counting the nearly 300 disputed copies purchased by the bookstore.

Meissner said that because the calendars begin with the month of September, he expects demand to pick up in late summer.

It's not the first time Meissner has turned up in the news. In December 2005, Meissner appeared on two national television morning shows — ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today" — as president of the UW's Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity to discuss its embrace of the national fraternity's new "Balanced Man" program.

The program emphasizes clean fun, community service, strong academic performance and good etiquette. The frat discouraged a bawdy lifestyle.

Dreaming of sleep

This article on sleep deprivation in college students focuses on Lehigh's Tyler Rock - IFC president, SigEp chapter president, and fifth-year senior with a double major. (That makes me tired just typing it.)

As both a civil and integrated business engineer, Tyler Rock goes two or three weeks straight averaging four hours of sleep per night. In addition, the current president of the Interfraternity Council puts his alarm clock far away from his bed so he must get out of bed to wake up. Rock rises and blinks his eyes repeatedly in an attempt to stay awake. He showers about 10 minutes after the alarm goes off.

Because of his extracurricular activities, the fifth-year senior has had a jam-packed schedule for most of his tenure as a student. He is also Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity’s president and has been a member of Student Senate for three years. He has certainly kept busy. Maybe too busy. Approximately half his college days have been taken up with 8 a.m. classes; but, despite his fatigue, Rock loves his extracurricular activities.

“Oftentimes I will lie awake thinking of a variety of things on my mind throughout the day,” Rock says. “Anything from a test to any extracurricular thing I’m doing.”

Sleep is an aspect of life neglected by college students. With the Internet, television, instant messaging, studying and partying, students don’t find time for sleep.

“If people are having trouble with the amount of hours they are sleeping, then they need to manage their time better,” says Steph Berger, ’07, Healthy Hawks coordinator. “Something must be cut out of their schedule, extracurricular activities if it’s necessary, because there is time in the day for sleep.”

Unfortunately, young adults produce melatonin as if in a time zone two hours behind wherever they are actually living. Melatonin is the hormone in the brain that regulates the cycle for humans to want to rest. Therefore, all students would need to adapt to the regular time zone in order to remain awake to the rhythm of the sun. One poll, conducted in April of 2005 by Katie Becker, ’07, found the average length of sleep for 40 students the night before was 5.8 hours.

“Personally, I think a balanced sleep schedule helps,” Rock says. “Exercising and watching what you eat should help, too. The healthier lifestyle you live, I think, helps with a healthier sleep schedule.”

Click the link below for the full article.

Dreaming of sleep - The Brown and White