SigEp Balanced Man Guide

Building

balanced

leaders

for the

world’s

communities

Virtue, Diligence,

and Brotherly Love

are the cardinal principles

of Sigma Phi Epsilon and

represent the Fraternity’s

core values. Pursuit of the

Balanced Man Ideal of

Sound Mind and Sound

Body is the Fraternity’s

focus. Sigma Phi Epsilon is

uniquely positioned among

American college fraternities

to build the lives of not only

its proud brothers, but also

the communities in which

they live and work. With

leaders of character and

values, SigEp will impact

our world.

ThenIn the late 1980s the fraternity

system in America was in

decline—membership, academ-

ics, image. Values were fading.

SigEp was the largest fraternity

in the nation and used that

status to pioneer a new begin-

ning for all fraternities. We

set a course to restore the

relevance of the American

college fraternity. We sought

to build upon the strengths of

the opening line of the SigEp

Charter: “This Fraternity

will be different….”

That course traced our roots

back to the classical Greek ideal

of the Balanced Man—Sound

Mind, Sound Body. SigEp

undertook a mission to Build

Balanced Leaders for the

World’s Communities. The

effort would revolutionize

the fraternity

movement

in America.

NowSigEp’s bold initiatives have

given our undergraduates a

means to live their best lives

and achieve their goals. Our

programs build the confidence

to lead—now and in the future.

We build from and enhance our

members’ existing values base.

We balance our brothers’

ambitions through the pursuit

of a Sound Mind in a Sound

Body. We enable personal

development through SigEp’s

leadership programs. We do

all this as a valued partner in

higher education and a pioneer

in the development of college

men across America.

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love have

withstood the tests of time for over a century on the American college campus. More than

14,000 undergraduate SigEps on campus today believe in these values as a means to become

balanced men, setting themselves apart as leaders. These undergraduates join more than

270,000 lifetime members in the pursuit of excellence.

Our Values

is the force thatdrives the fraternity.

is thefoundation

of thefraternity.

is the moral essenceof the fraternity.

Living a virtuous life is makingthe most of your time and

talents with unfailing integrity.

Virtue

Diligence

BrotherlyLove

OUR VALUES • SOUND MIND, SOUND BODY • RESIDENTIAL LEARNING COMMUNITY • BALANCED MAN PROGRAM • LEADERSHIP CONTINUUM

Livingdiligently isliving your

best life withcourage and

tenacity.

Living withbrotherly loveis supporting

fellow citizensthrough true

and activefriendship.

“This Fraternity will be different;

it will be based on the love of God

and the principle of peace through

brotherhood…its purpose shall

be to intensify and perpetuate

friendship and promote happiness

among its members, to encourage

literature and education, and to

create such sentiments, mould such

opinions, and perform such deeds as

shall conduce to the building of a noble

and pure manhood.”

– Excerpt from the charter, 1901

The ancient Greeks believed that a healthy body was vital as

the vessel of the mind. Sigma Phi Epsilon draws on its classical

Greek roots to build a noble and pure manhood through the

balance of Sound Mind and Sound Body. A Balanced Man is

par excellent in manhood.

Sound Mind, Sound Body

The Sound Mind is sharp and

clever, thoughtful and

reflective. It thrives with

higher learning & education,

conversation, discussion,

debate, and cultural pursuits.

Many chapters have formal dining eti-

quette training for their members and

teach them swing, salsa, and ballroom

dancing. Members learn how to buy a car,

a home, how to manage a budget, how to

dress for any occasion, and other impor-

tant life skills. Through leadership

experiences they learn how to lead men

toward achieving goals, conflict resolution, project management, and

how to sell an intangible idea like friendship. Many chapters host

philosophy, religion, and political science professors to talk on current

events, politics, and how to make an impact in today’s world with the

understanding that the pursuit of knowledge is unending.

Sound Mind is more than justacademics—it’s creativity, criticalthought, and knowledge.

“Chance favors the prepared mind”– Louis Pasteur


Many chapters educate their

members on how to prepare

healthier meals, how to self-

screen for testicular cancer—a

leading health threat to young

men, how to properly manage

stress, time and personal mental

health with techniques such as

Yoga, CPR and other life-saving

practices. Many chapters host

dieticians, doctors, coaches and

other speakers to discuss relevant

health and wellness issues with

their members to help them live

their best lives.

Sound Body is morethan just athletics—it’s total wellness,conditioning, andendurance.

The Sound Body is ready and

able, robust and nourished.

It is fostered with regular

exercise, relaxation, healthy

limits, medical screenings, and

proper nutrition.

“A sound mind in asound body is a short

but full descriptionof a happy state in

this world.”– John Locke

Today, colleges and universities are incorporating the 2500 year old philosophy of Sound Mind,

Sound Body into the way they teach, into the way they work with their students, and into the way

they look at their campus environments. SigEp is geared to become a valued partner in higher

education through the Residential Learning Community program. Today, SigEp members are

receiving college credit for having been a member.

Residential Learning Community

“It is not livingthat is important,but living rightly.”

– Socrates

The Residential Learning Community concept is nothing new

to higher education. In fact, the idea was born more than 800

years ago within the organizational structures of Oxford and

Cambridge Universities in England. It wasn’t until recently,

however, that many American

colleges and universities

adopted their own Residential

Learning Community models.

SigEp’s Residential Learning

Community (RLC) Program

was created in 2000 to provide

undergraduate men an

experience unlike any other

on campus. It builds upon

many of Oxford’s and

Cambridge’s original

educational philosophies,

providing our members an

incredible opportunity for

personal growth and

academic development.

Based on four components, the

RLC is a holistic approach to

realizing the fraternity’s mission

of Building Balanced Leaders for

the World’s Communities.

Personal and AcademicDevelopmentWith a focus on sound mind

and sound body, the chapter’s

programming fosters positive and

healthy habits that will facilitate

higher levels of undergraduate

success and equip members with

the tools necessary for post-

graduate success.

Network of SupportThis is your brotherhood in

action. Our network of alumni

and volunteers is critical to the

success of an RLC. It augments the

fraternity experience by providing

consistent mentoring and direc-

tion to the chapter and its leaders.

Faculty Fellow EngagementA Faculty Fellow is a member of

the university faculty or academic

support staff who enhances the

academic culture of a chapter and

environment of a chapter facility.

Living and LearningEnvironmentThe chapter house becomes a

place where members live,

interact, and learn. At RLCs,

members no longer retreat from

the chapter house in order to

achieve their academic goals;

they gravitate toward it, knowing

they have the support they need

to be successful.


A Sigma Phi Epsilon Residential

Learning Community is more than

just bricks and mortar; it’s a

culture of excellence that exudes

throughout a chapter’s member-

ship. There is no doubt that we are

providing a valuable and relevant

undergraduate experience at our

RLC chapters – we are recruiting

and retaining more campus

leaders who are outperforming

their peers academically. In doing

so, we are restoring the relevance

of the American

college fraternity.

Balanced Man Program

“By believing passionatelyin something whichstill does not exist,we create it.”– Nikos Kazantzakis

The Balanced Man Program is SigEp’s difference in the Greek

community. The BMP offers a no-pledging, four year

experience focused on scholarship, leadership, and life skills.

Members learn to live their best lives through unique,

rewarding programming tailored to fit their needs and prepare

them for the journey of life ahead. By developing a Sound

Mind in a Sound Body, SigEp members are given the tools to

succeed during school and beyond. The BMP provides a fun,

practical way to achieve your goals through a series of self-

paced challenges that center on personal growth and

development. The BMP’s

unique structure allows

chapters to develop

programming to fit their

campus experience and recruit

the best men year-round.

Individuals who truly live the Balanced Man Ideal of Sound Mind,

Sound Body are more confident and have a positive outlook.

They achieve their goals with the help of their brothers. The

energy and motivation of these scholars influences their chapter

brothers to live their best lives.

The program guides members to

build positive habits and key life

skills through mentoring and

experiential learning. SigEp

members are educated in time

management, etiquette, physical

fitness, career planning, and life

skills such as cooking, financial

planning, and relationships. Using

self-reflection, discussion, evalua-

tion, and personal written goals,

the Balanced Man Program

prepares young men for the

journey of life.

The core components of each

challenge are: goal-setting and

achievement; academic support;

personal health and wellness;

mentoring – guidance from older

members and alumni on doing

your best; and service and experi-

ential learning.


“One word frees usof all the weightand pain of life;that word is love.” – Sophocles

Sigma Challenge – How to getthe most from SigEp and collegeIn the Sigma challenge, members

participate in a time management

workshop to learn to handle one’s

commitments; learn how to build

teams through shared goals and

pursuits; learn about values-based

leadership and

SigEp’s cardinal

principles; and

learn about

SigEp’s history,

its current

standing in the

Greek commu-

nity, and its

future.

Phi Challenge – Building asound mind in a sound bodyIn the Phi challenge, members

learn best practices in personal

and professional etiquette; begin

their involvement in other student

organizations; begin to develop

leadership and professional skills;

and learn pertinent personal

health and wellness information.

Epsilon Challenge – SigEpsas Balanced LeadersIn the Epsilon challenge,

members serve as leaders in

the chapter and/or on campus;

will be challenged to move

beyond their comfort zone

culturally; participate in a service

learning project to give back to

the campus or community; and

begin to build professional skills

that will distance them from

their peers.

Fellow Challenge (Optional)A 500-hour service learning

project for members of the

Epsilon Challenge. In the Fellow

Challenge, participants organize

their brothers to benefit the

community; create an entrepre-

neurial venture to support the

local community; learn project

management skills; and leave a

legacy in the community.

Some projects have included

establishing a community

triathlon, providing day-care

services for underprivileged

families, restoring a town center,

and reclaiming portions of a

national park. These men are the

epitome of servant leadership.

Brother MentorChallenge – Preparing forsuccess after collegeIn the Brother Mentor challenge,

members gain valuable life skills

in financial planning, entertain-

ing, major life decisions; build

contacts outside the chapter

through alumni engagement and

national programs; mentor

younger members; and identify

where the SigEp experience will

take them next.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation has the largest endowment of any

national collegiate fraternity and funds the Leadership Continuum—EDGE,

Carlson Leadership Academy, Ruck Leadership Institute, and Tragos Quest to

Greece. All these programs serve the purpose of Building Balanced Leaders for

the World’s Communities through the balance of Sound Mind and Sound Body.

Leadership Continuum

EDGE – Learning tolive your best lifeSigEp should be one the greatestexperiences of your life. As such, theFraternity offers its own innovativeprogram for first-year members,EDGE. EDGE is about making healthychoices that match your personalvalues and those of Sigma PhiEpsilon. Participants build greaterself-awareness about the conse-quences of their actions and thosearound them through interactivediscussions and reflective activities.Participants have fun throughchallenging experiences such asropes courses, physical challenges,and activities based upon camarade-rie. Participants choose the lifestylethey wish to lead and receive trainingon overcoming obstacles with regardto alcohol and drug abuse, personalwellness, and goal achievement. Theprogram involves a highly regardedfaculty of senior undergraduates,distinguished alumni, and renownedguest speakers.

Who?: Over 2,700 undergraduate membersattend EDGE each year.How much?: Participants attend at no costthrough a generous grant from the Sigma PhiEpsilon Educational Foundation.Where?: At more than 25 locations acrossthe country

To date, over 11,000 members haveparticipated in this leadership program.

Carlson LeadershipAcademy – Effective andaffective leadershipThe Academy program is the centralcomponent of the LeadershipContinuum, providing hands-ontraining to more than 2,000 under-graduates and volunteers annually.The Academies are held in Februaryafter chapter elections, and chaptersare encouraged to bring all newofficers, Chapter Counselors,Balanced Man Stewards and risingchapter leaders. The academyprogram provides practice inmanagement skills, goal develop-ment, and academic and careerplanning. Put on by the NationalLeadership Committee and theHeadquarters staff, the Academiesprovide an appropriate venue for thepresentation of chapter awards fornotable achievements in recruitment,development, and scholarship and forindividual achievement in studentleadership or volunteer involvement.

“Almost everythingI have needed to

know about leadershipin the Marines Corps,

I learned in SigEp.”— Gen. James T. Conway

Southeast Missouri State ’69,Commandant, United States

Marines Corps


The academy program is named forBrother Curtis L. Carlson, Minnesota,’37, Founder and Chairman of TheCarlson Companies, a global leaderwith various holdings such asT.G.I. Friday’s, Radisson Hotels, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Who?: Over 2,000 members attend CarlsonLeadership Academies each year.How much?: Four chapter officers and avolunteer have paid registrations. Additionalparticipants are responsible for a registrationfee, lodging, and travel.Where?: At nine locations across thecountry

To date, over 70,000 members have participatedin this leadership program.

Ruck LeadershipInstitute – Teaching the few toimpact the manyThe Ruck Leadership Institute is theFraternity’s premier leadershipdevelopment experience, the “TopGun” of SigEp. The program is aliving tribute to Past Grand PresidentFrank J. Ruck, Jr., Michigan ’46, whochallenged SigEps to go beyond ourperceived limitations.

The nation’s best and brightest gatherin Virginia, for a five-day programfocused on personal leadership andthe Balanced Man Ideal. Competitionfor entry into the program is fierce ashundreds of notable undergraduatesapply annually. Once on-site, they canexpect constant motion, activity, andenergy. Attendees see first-hand howSound Mind and Sound Body canbecome a tangible part of chapter lifethrough competitive challenges,theatrical productions, lessons inleadership, and facilitation byprominent SigEp alumni.

Who?: Over 150 members attend Ruckannually.How much?: $395 registration fee.Where?: Richmond and Williamsburg, VA

To date, over 800 members haveparticipated in this leadership program.

Tragos Quest to Greece –Exploring the birthplace ofSound Mind, Sound BodyThe Greeks believed in arête, or beingthe best that you can be, striving forexcellence. It is only proper thatSigEp offer the opportunity to liveand learn at the very site of thebirthplace of Greek antiquity. Eachsummer, SigEp undergraduates walkin the footsteps of giants such asPlato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Thesespecial brothers gain valuable insightinto the Balanced Man Idealof Sound Mind and Sound Body.

This 11-day program is a scholarshipopportunity generously provided bythe Sigma Phi Epsilon EducationalFoundation. For those fortunateenough to be selected, their livesare never the same again.

Who?: 17 members are selected to attendthe Tragos Quest to Greece each year.How much?: Free*

Where?: Greece

To date, over 100 members have participated inthis leadership program.

Grand Chapter Conclave –The ultimate SigEp experienceConclave offers educational opportu-nities for undergraduates assemblingSigEp’s best facilitators, educatorsand speakers. Brothers participatein legislation, continue networkingand personal development, and areexposed to hundreds of alumni sothey can see first-hand the lifelongexperience of brotherhood inSigma Phi Epsilon.

Who?: More than 1,300 members attendeach Grand Chapter Conclave.How much?: Two undergraduatedelegates are paid for by the chapter andthe chapter counselor receives a hotel andtravel stipend.When?: Held every two years.

*Scholarships and funding for Leadership Continuumprograms are provided by the Educational Foundation.For more information, visit www.sigepfoundation.org

Individuals who commit to the Balanced Man

Ideal as a way of life and who can clearly

articulate that ideal to others are privileged to

enjoy the most rewarding SigEp experience

possible. The path to achieving personal success

starts immediately at SigEp and the proof is all

across the county— the Fraternity commits to

helping its members live their best lives through

a balance of Sound Mind and Sound Body. It is a

way of life, and it’s contagious…

Balanced LeadersBuilding

for theWorld’sCommunities

Sigma Phi Epsilon has the highest grade point average of any

national fraternity. With the best first-year retention for new

recruits, the strongest leadership program and the backing of our

alumni and volunteers, SigEp is the most preferred college program

in America and the nation’s largest fraternity.

SigEp. Different.

Total menrecruited 1,652 6,046

Total undergradmembers 4,680 14,000+

Averagechapter size 38 56

Numberof chapters 107 255

All Fraternity SigEpAverage

Find out more about

the leading fraternity on

college campuses today.

Call 804-353-1901 or visit

www.sigep.org

SigEp Balanced Man Guide

Education

Transcript of SigEp Balanced Man Guide