Sigma Phi Epsilon - Florida International University

Florida Nus a publicatioN oF sigma phi EpsiloN at Florida iNtErNatioNal uNivErsity spring 2014 iNsidE: momENtum carriEs iNto 2014 2 alumNus spotlight 3 alumNi EvENts 4 thE avc president reflects on 2013 Looks Forward to a Year oF Growth b rothers, in 2013 your Florida Nu Alumni Volunteer Corporation (AVC) contin- ued to expand and reengage with our undergraduate Chapter and you, our beloved alumni. We strongly believe that 2014 will be filled with even more growth and look forward to working with all of you. Our undergraduate brothers once again demon- strated what it truly means to be Balanced Men. Through a variety of efforts, our brothers raised and contributed $12,000 to the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. We couldn't be prouder of Florida Nu. The AVC continued its outreach to our alumni brothers by hosting a brotherhood event at the Chili's on the Maidique Campus prior to the fall semester's Meet the SigEps recruit- ment event. The AVC also hosted an alumni cigar night on December 27, and our inaugural flag football tournament was played in January. The tournament was an initiative of Chapter Counselor Sean Gazitua '03. Six teams, four made up of alumni and two of undergraduates, with 12 players each competed for the championship trophy. In the end, Team G.O.A.T., which was made up of Florida Nu alumni brothers, was victorious. We look forward to making this an annual event that brothers can either participate in or attend with their families and friends. The AVC hosted a one-day retreat with the Chapter's newly elected executive board. Our facilitator was former FIU Greek Advisor Karen Katz. She was also the advisor to our Chapter from 2005 to 2009. In addition to welcoming back Karen, the AVC is happy to report that our Chapter Sweetheart, Natalie de Rojas (1995-96), has agreed to work closely with Vice President for Development Alex Zarut '03 to strengthen the Balanced Man Program (BMP). Natalie will help broth- ers entering their junior and senior years with career planning and professional development. This is a key part of the BMP and an area the AVC is working to strengthen. What makes Sigma Phi Epsilon different is the BMP. When used cor- rectly, it is a tool both for Chapter recruitment and retention. We will continue to reevaluate where the program is, how it can be improved, and what the AVC can do to help guide our undergraduate brothers in the right direction. Finally, the AVC has agreed to initiate a brother reinstate- ment effort. What this means is that the AVC will work to have brothers who have been expelled from the Chapter reinstated if they were expelled due to financial difficulties, lapsing in the BMP, or for having left FIU prior without graduating. Of the 818 brothers listed as "alumni" of the Chapter, 39% were expelled. Many continue to contact AVC members expressing interest in assisting the under- graduate Chapter and/or AVC. We feel this is a worthy effort given their interest in offering their time and talents to the Chapter, and due to the unique nature of the FIU student experience in which many struggle to balance their studies, long work hours, and commitments to Greek organizations. All brothers requesting reinstatement will need the AVC's approval. Our recommendations will then be forwarded to Headquarters for consideration. Many brothers may not be aware that they are in fact, expelled. If you have any questions about your status, please send an e-mail to any member of the AVC. Our contact information is on page 4. Thank you all for what you do on behalf of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Florida Nu! Best of luck in 2014! Fraternally, Mike Hernández '04 AVC President m_hernandez9282@yahoo.com Florida Nu alumni at the inaugural flag football tournament.

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