Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

For Alumni And Friends oF the FloridA AlphA ChApter no. 25 • FAll 2014 university oF FloridA, sigmA phi epsilon inFormAtion www.FlAlphA.org SigEp Gator Heart UF Vice President for Student Affairs Says: "Florida Alpha Can Count on UF's Strong Support for the Balanced Man Program and the Recolonization" B rother Dave Kratzer '70, vice president for student affairs at the University of Florida, says Florida Alpha can count on his support and that of the University of Florida administration as the Chapter moves toward recolonization. The retired U.S. Army major general, who served as a commanding general in both Afghanistan and Kuwait/Iraq, believes adopting the Balanced Man Program (BMP) may well save the Greek system both nationwide and on the UF campus. Kratzer recently told a group of Florida Alpha alumni that the entire fraternity system owes a debt of gratitude to Sigma Phi Epsilon for having the foresight to originate the Balanced Man Program in 1991. "SigEp has been the leader in demonstrating how to use an innovative developmental model to thrive and grow in a culture that was beginning to question the value of the fraternity system." Kratzer said. SAE at UF adopts the Balanced Man approach On the UF campus, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the latest fraternity to implement a member development model similar to the BMP. In fact, SAE is relying heavily on advice and support from the National Headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon as it implements the program. Beta Theta Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon are two others nationally who have adopted similar programs. When asked about the risk of getting rid of the traditional pledge system in favor of the BMP philosophy, Kratzer offered his own opinion. "We need to remember that the pledge system didn't exist when our founders began our Fraternity. It wasn't until the 1940s that the Greek system began the two-tier pledge/brother system," Kratzer said. "The antiquated methods of pledging and hazing are placing the entire fraternity system at risk. I firmly believe that all fraternities should eliminate hazing and adopt a system like the BMP. "Anyone with an ounce of common sense must realize that the system under which we have been operating has gotten us where we are today. The public and the University and college administrators are losing patience with the 'traditional' system. If we were to continue down that traditional path, I really believe our days would be numbered. That would be tragic," he continued. "I believe strongly in the Greek system and I believe strongly in my Fraternity, but as a university administrator I have listened to parents, legislators, law enforcement officials, college, and university presidents and other educators express very negative opinions about the future of the fraternity system," Kratzer warned. "Let's move forward together. The University is ready and the National Headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon is ready. Now, all of us need to get ready for a new day and a new way," Kratzer said. "Let's move forward together. The University is ready and the National Headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon is ready. Now, all of us need to get ready for a new day and a new way." P rior to his appointment in May 2012 as UF's vice president for student affairs, Brother Dave Kratzer '70 had been UF's associate vice president for student affairs for seven years and director of UF's Wayne Reitz Union for 18 years. Dave has been a longtime, strong supporter of Florida Alpha. From the time he arrived at UF in 1986 as director of the Reitz Union, he has been actively involved with Florida Alpha. After reviewing Kratzer's resume when he was named director of the union, Bill Cross '49 immediately recruited him as the UF IFC director and Florida Alpha faculty advisor. Dave received his master of science degree from the University of Illinois, bachelor of science degree from Western Illinois University, and he is a United States War College graduate. SigEp initiated Dave in 1976 at the University of Evansville (Indiana) as an honorary member although he went through the entire pledge program at his request. In addition to his student affairs experience, Kratzer has had significant military leadership experience. As a major general in the U.S. Army, he was responsible for theater-level logistics as the commander of the 377th Theater Support Command during Operation Iraqi Freedom-One in 2002 and 2003. As a brigadier general, he commanded all civil military operations in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and 2002. Kratzer is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a concentration in strategic studies. Dave Kratzer '70, UF Vice President for Student Affairs

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