>  Being a SigEp

Balanced man Program

Being a Sigma Phi Epsilon

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The core principle behind being a SigEp is to strive for continuous personal improvement in all areas of life. This idea is the backbone of the house’s continuous member development plan. A large aspect of member development includes an active Residential Learning Community (RLC). The two concepts are intertwined in that the idea behind an RLC is that a student’s fraternal life is related to and strengthened by his academic achievements. SigEp is different from other fraternities in this aspect, since student and faculty involvement results in higher performance. Other chapters with the same program as this have shown higher overall grades, more involvement with campus activities, and are more likely to spend time developing life skills necessary for success after graduation. More information about the RLC can be found here: http://www.sigep.org/about/what-we-do/RLC.html. From the moment a member joins until leaving RPI, he is engaged in the following area:

1. SigEp Development

SigEp development focuses on bonding between brothers and building the lifelong friendships that make a fraternity. This is one of the most important aspects of the chapter, and the purpose of this development is to build virtue, diligence, and brotherly love. Chapter run events include formals, hiking trips, high ropes courses, paintball, etc.

2. Sound Mind Development

Sound Mind development focuses on academic success and mental health. SigEp has a successful academic support system and works closely with an academic advisor at RPI to ensure our members continued academic success and improvement. The chapter hosts proctored study hours in the dedicated academic spaces in the building, runs an academic mentoring program within its members, and maintains a close relationship with the Academic Learning and Advising Center (ALAC) at RPI. SigEp hosts events independently and with the school in the area of mental health, such as time and stress management, proper study habits, building weekly schedules, and avoiding depression. More information about ALAC can be found here: http://alac.rpi.edu/.

3. Sound Body Development

Sound Body development focuses on two categories, physical and nutritional health. SigEp participates in numerous intramural sports teams on campus, and members are highly encouraged to join the teams. Current teams include soccer, dodgeball, ultimate, volleyball, and hockey. We are in close proximity to the school’s athletic center (Mueller Center), and have our own weight room. In addition, members are able to access professional fitness staff with the school to develop personal fitness goals and plans. SigEp hosts healthy eating, cooking safety, alcohol and drug abuse, and weight management seminars with RPI.

4. Personal Development

Personal development focuses on building awareness of one’s surrounding environment and personal motivation. Events that members attend include religious presentations, cultural events, and art events. This category includes a lecture series hosted by SigEp. In addition to advertising guest lectures put on by the school, the chapter hosts a few professors a semester to present on cutting edge research topics. The personal motivation aspect encompasses SMART goal setting, dating and relationship etiquette, financial management, investing, and formal dancing lessons.

5. Leadership Development

Leadership development focuses on the aspects and capabilities of being a good leader in society. In this area, SigEp works with RPI’s Archer Center for Leadership Development, but expands theory into actual practice. Members learn about mentoring and work with new members in pursuing excellence. Additionally, this includes community service and philanthropy events which SigEp participates in. The national organization of SigEp provides additional opportunities for members in this area. More information about leadership development at SigEp can be found here: http://www.sigep.org/leadershipevents/. More information about the Archer Center at RPI can be found here: http://archer.union.rpi.edu/.

6. Professional Development

Professional development focuses on expanding networking and useful career skills that students don’t learn in the classroom. Some aspects follow the professional development track put on by the school, but tailors and expands the program into our fraternity resources. SigEp has an expansive and willing alumni base, and offers many opportunities for job sourcing. In addition, the chapter offers events with the RPI Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD)to have resume critiques, mock interviews, professional alumni advice panels, and business etiquette dinners. More information about the CCPD can be found here: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/cdc/.