Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

Page 3 Sigma Phi Epsilon PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATER W e have all heard that, but how does it apply to SigEp, or, more specifically, to Florida Alpha? There are many who do not like, do not support, or do not understand why, when Florida Alpha is recolonized, it will operate with the Balanced Man Program (BMP). Yes, the Balanced Man Program is "different" and it took a while for many of us to understand, let alone accept, the concept. But one of the best reasons for BMP is that it works. The Sigma Phi Epsilon Balanced Man Program began in 1991. It took a while but, since 2006, seven well-known national fraternities have adopted similar or exactly the same program. The reason Florida Alpha is no longer on the University of Florida campus? Our fraternity lost its way—big time. Like so many others, our beloved Chapter thought its way, "the Florida Alpha way," as one defiant former brother put it, was better than the SigEp way. But, there is hope for the future. And we can "pay now" by working to bring Florida Alpha back on campus, or "pay later" and lose that opportunity. The cost of later is simply too high and not acceptable. A dedicated group of Florida Alpha alumni and the National Headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon want us back on campus—where we belong and have been since 1925. And that group of alumni and the National Fraternity will need all the help it can get to make it happen. Not only will Florida Alpha need your monetary and your moral support, it will need your understanding and the greatest, perhaps the greatest challenge of all may be changing your paradigm about what a fraternity, our Fraternity, is going to look like in the future. So what does a Balanced Man Program look like? The BMP is designed to guide brothers through the changing needs they will have in college as they grow and mature as leaders. Each challenge is self-paced and self-determined and emphasizes six specific areas in their life: SigEp, sound mind, sound body, personal, leadership, and career. These are all important areas to develop skill sets within. SigEp is there to help each brother along the way and provide opportunities and new experiences on their quest as a Balanced Man. Ultimately, the goal of the BMP is to help brothers develop the skills, gain the experience, and meet the people that will help push them one step ahead—gaining skills they will be able to use for the rest of their life. The BMP will help brothers learn more about themselves, about SigEp and Florida Alpha, and about the University and community. Through a rededication to the ideals of brotherhood and personal responsibility, the BMP is one of the best ways for a brother to make the most of his time in college and beyond. How does Balanced Man Work? In 1991 Sigma Phi Epsilon developed a four-year, continuous development Balanced Man Program, which abolished pledging altogether, instituted year-round recruitment, encourages lifestyles based on the three cardinal principles, and includes a number of tasks geared toward creating diverse experiences that promote the ideals of a sound mind and a sound body. No Pledge Program?! What? That's right. Times, dear brothers, have changed. Fraternities are being kicked off campuses all over the county at an alarming rate. Why? Hazing, alcohol, drugs, disrespect of authority, sexual assaults, and other "traditions." Fraternities that want to remain on campus must, as the old saying goes, "shape up or ship out." But keep reading… please. The Balanced Man Program is the driving force behind the continued growth and success of SigEp. Some of these accomplishments include SigEp's 90% undergraduate retention rate, a major improvement in the national SigEp GPA, and SigEp's status as the one of the nation's largest fraternities by undergraduate membership. The BMP consists of four challenges labeled Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and Brother Mentor. Each challenge contains required tasks that progressively develop a member's self, Chapter, and community. If you need a rationalization that these challenges are something like a pledge program, with required actions and duties, an explanation of the challenges might help. Sigma A new SigEp brother is welcomed with the introductory phase of the program, the Sigma challenge, and must complete a program based on self-discovery, Chapter activities, and community service. After completing the Sigma challenge he enters the Phi challenge. Phi The Phi challenge is centered on building balance. Here, more advanced tasks await him, which include becoming a member of other on-campus organizations and taking a leadership role in the Chapter. Epsilon The third challenge in the BMP is the Epsilon challenge, centered on being an effective campus and community leader. At this level, the brother has a full understanding of the Fraternity and is expected to hold an executive or chairman position in both the Chapter and at least one outside organization. Brother Mentor This is an additional level introduced with the BMP. Brother Mentor signifies a brother's commitment to his Chapter by completing all three levels of the Balanced Man and by going beyond and completing the challenges set forth by the Brother Mentor program. This challenge focuses on leaving a legacy and preparing both the Chapter and the brother for his upcoming departure from campus. Yes, all of this is different, but we believe it is different in a good way. Truth be told, the only way Florida Alpha will remain alive and well is by adopting a new way of doing business—a different way. 2006 • Sigma Alpha Epsilon adopts The True Gentleman Experience • Pi Kappa Alpha adopts The True Pike Experience • Lambda Chi Alpha adopts True Brother Initiative • Tau Kappa Epsilon adopts The Blueprint 2008 • Delta Tau Delta adopts The Road: The Journey to Excellence • Sigma Nu adopts The Pursuit of Excellence 2007 2009 2010 • Phi Delta Theta adopts PhiDelt 2020 2014 2011 2012 2013 Fraternities with similar or exactly the same programs as the SigEp Balanced Man Program 1991 • SigEp creates and begins the Balanced Man Program 1992-2005

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