"This Fraternity will be different; it will be based on the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood," said founding brother Carter Ashton Jenkens when asked by faculty why a new fraternity should be created. On November 1, 1901 in Richmond Virginia, 12 founders started what is now Sigma Phi Epsilon. The charter states that its purpose shall be to intensify and perpetuate friendship and promote happiness among its members, to encourage literature and education, and to create such sentiments, mold such opinions, and perform such deeds as shall conduce to the building of a noble and pure manhood. Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love are the cardinal principles of Sigma Phi Epsilon and represent the Fraternity's core values. Pursuit of the Balanced Man Ideal of Sound Mind and Sound Body is the Fraternity's practice. SigEp revolutionized the fraternity movement in 1991 by unveiling the Balanced Man Program (BMP), a concept of single-tiered membership and continuous development that begins the day a brother joins. SigEp believes the stereotypical fraternity experience does not fulfill the needs today’s college male. The BMP offers an experience focused on scholarship, leadership, professional development and life skills. Members learn to live their best lives through unique, rewarding programming tailored to fit their needs and prepare them for the journey of life ahead. As many fraternities draw the glare of the media spotlight for unacceptable behavior, educators have begun to question the role of Greek life on their campus. SigEp has continued to stand out within the Greek world by working to partner with higher education institutions, a partnership that is more vital now than ever. Colleges and universities are facing enormous cost pressure from federal and state cuts that can affect course offerings and out-of-classroom programming. At the same time, we see a growing disparity between men and women in key measures of academic success: grades, graduations rates and campus leadership.
