Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Oregon

ΣΦΕ EARTBEA H T UNIVERSITY OF OREGON s SIGMA PHI EPSILON Oregon Beta SPRING 2015 (Continued on page 3) Taking Steps to Build Oregon Beta's Future Planning For the Future Since the fall newsletter the executive board worked through all of our policies from recruitment to financial management and updated them to fit our strategic plan for the future. The final product of this project was a 27-page Chapter enhancement plan that we expect to have great results for future members. Recruitment Our updated recruitment plan includes the implementation of a formally elected recruitment committee, as well as increased standards for potential new members. This resulted in a pledge class with a high school GPA of 3.5. All of them had previously participated in varsity sports and community service. Six of them were on their high school's honor roll, and seven of them had been the captain of a high school sports team. Philanthropy Fall term we collaborated with Pi Beta Phi to hold a philanthropy event that raised $6,000 and had hundreds of students attend. We also competed in Alpha Phi's philanthropy event and took first place in the soccer tournament and overall fundraising. I am sure many of you have followed the incidents at the University of Oregon this past spring. The basketball players accused of sexual abuse in April followed by an incident at one of the fraternity houses have aroused the ire (and rightfully so) of many people on campus. The University administration took a pretty big hit in how they chose to investigate these allegations, and as a result a task force was established to develop a better way of informing people about sexual abuse and how they can both help to prevent it and assist in the investigation and reporting of it if an incident should occur. Greek Life did not bode well in the committee's report. In fact one of the recommendations was that Greek Life on the University of Oregon campus should restrict its membership. That recommendation was not defined so people did not know if that meant no more Greek Organizations, no addition of members to these organizations, or what. Luckily, the University has not acted on that recommendation, but instead has begun to look at Greek Life at the University and how they can have more influence on it. To this point many of the transgressions that occur at Greek houses have been dealt with by the judiciary boards of the Inter-Fraternity Council or, in the case of the sororities, the Panhellenic Judiciary Board. From now on the Student Conduct Board will take responsibility for dealing with infractions and determine if they or the judiciary boards will hear the accusations. The University is also examining how local chapters conduct their membership. Hazing in particular is being looked at much closer than previously, and it has been further defined. I mention this in particular because of the fact that a traditional pledge model fraternity, which conducts business much like it has for years, is often guilty of hazing. For example, if only pledges are expected to do a certain task, say house duties, and members are not, they are being hazed. Any behavior that can disrespect a pledge, endanger a pledge, or in any way belittle a pledge is considered hazing. In 1991 Sigma Phi Epsilon created a new model for fraternities called the Balanced Man Program (BMP). Since then, more than seven national fraternities have moved to a similar or exactly the same model. I'm not sure what inspired the fraternity to start the BMP. Was it a "burning platform" or a compelling picture of the future? Likely some of each. As of 2015, of the 257 SigEp chapters nationwide, 229 or 89% have moved to the BMP. Only 28 or 11% of the chapters still subscribe to the traditional model; Oregon Beta is one of those 28. At the heart of the BMP are five philosophical tenets: 1. Equal rights and responsibilities – Full membership upon joining; no pledges, hazing, or other distinctions of second-class citizenship 2. Continuous development – Growing throughout life 3. Accountability – Committing to SigEp's high standards 4. Living the ritual – Incorporating SigEp's values into everyday life 5. Mentoring – Maximizing growth through guidance and support Focusing on six areas of development: 1. SigEp – Knowledge and understanding of the Fraternity 2. Sound Mind – Intellectual and academic growth and performance 3. Sound Body – Physical health and wellness 4. Personal – Emotional and cultural growth 5. Leadership – Growth experience as a leader 6. Professional – Preparation for career success Lest you think this sounds good, but is likely "happy talk," the program and personal progress of members are measured and monitored by a chapter-elected standards board, and those who need help meeting the requirements are given support and opportunities to improve. Those who ultimately fail to complete the challenges within specified time frames may be asked to resign. I have included a BMP Time to Change? Brothers spend their Saturday morning cleaning Awbrey Park. (Continued on page 2)

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