Balanced Man Program

In 1901, SigEp’s founding fathers set out to provide an unparalleled fraternity experience. These 12 young men recognized the need for personal growth during the most crucial years in a man’s life. They dreamed of a supportive experience with a brotherhood of high achievers. Ninety years later the Balanced Man Program (BMP) was created to meet this same goal.

The BMP makes SigEp stand out among the Greek community and other student organizations.

This chapter-driven program is exactly what young men need - a continuous development experience focused on scholarship, leadership and life skills that complements a university’s classroom curriculum. The refinement of these crucial skills helps our brothers succeed upon graduation and prepares them to achieve balance and satisfaction in every aspect of their lives.

Eighteen-year-old high school graduates often come from a highly structured, supportive and supervised environment. While they may relish their new-found independence, the hundreds of hours they will spend outside the classroom may be a challenge for men to stay focused and goal-oriented. The Balanced Man Program is designed to provide a sufficiently structured, supportive experience with a brotherhood of high achievers, close friends, and mentors to provide personal and professional guidance. The result? A graduate who develops the skills he needs to thrive during and after college.

The program is built on five philosophical tenets:

Equal rights and responsibilities

An element of the BMP is to uphold the tradition of SigEp’s Founders to give a member full rights the day he joins, so he becomes a full contributor with equal responsibility.

Continuous development

For each year of college, a brother is challenged to develop himself personally, academically and professionally both in and out of the classroom.

Accountability

Brothers who hold each other accountable for reaching goals, upholding standards, and behaving in alignment with their values will achieve more and give more to others.

Living the Ritual

The Ritual experience is more than a ceremony; it is a daily practical application of each brother’s commitment to the values of the Fraternity.

Mentoring

Mentoring is one way both undergraduates and volunteers enable the development of their brothers and themselves, deepening the chapter experience.

When the BMP was introduced 20 years ago, it redefined the experience college men expect from their fraternity. Today, this interactive program can help brothers at every stage of their college years to develop and better prepare for the transition to life after college.

Through a series of four challenges, brothers become progressively more prepared to transition out of college at one of the most transformative times in their lives. The Sigma Challenge focuses on understanding the Fraternity’s history, principles and values. In the Phi Challenge, men focus on understanding themselves, their choices and ways to achieve balance. The Epsilon Challenge focuses on leadership and community involvement. And the Brother Mentor Challenge entrusts brothers with guiding new brothers, prepares them for their transition out of college and examines how their SigEp experience can continue to help them be successful.

To learn more about the BMP please see Balanced Man Program Implementation. For a simple and effective guide to the Balanced Man Program for yourself or to help educate others, check out the "One Page Guide to the Balanced Man Program."

Read more about Sound Mind, Sound Body and Service Learning aspects of the program. You can also review the book, The Lifetime Responsibility of Brotherhood, given to each new member, which provides further details about the program and the Fraternity.