1. What events does the organization hold throughout the year?  back to top
  Each semester, a formal dance is held offsite, usually in a hotel ballroom. These events are attended by most of the current chapter, as well as many alumni and invited guests.  We also host functions with other Greek organizations such as barbeques, movie nights, athletic activities, and community service events.  Kansas Eta also holds their own Philanthropies (service projects) throughout the year.  Chapter meetings occur every Monday night where the schedule for the week's intramurals, campus speakers, and other activities is given.  There is always something going on at Sigma Phi Epsilon!

2. What exactly is a bid?  back to top
  A bid is the fraternity's official invitation for you to join.  Only the president of the chapter or the vice president of recruitment can offer you a bid.  When they do, you will be taken aside, usually to the president's room, and a verbal invitation will be extended to you.  If you accept, you will then be given a blue card to sign.  This card is a short contract that means two things:  One, it says that you cannot sign on with another fraternity, and two, it is a grade release so that Sigma Phi Epsilon can obtain a copy of your grades from the university to make sure you are meeting our grade requirements.  Accepting a bid is commonly referred to as "signing."

3. What all does the recruitment process entail?  back to top
  The recruitment process for fraternities at WSU is informal.  This means that there are no university-wide functions, events, or times when young men are to evaluate the individual houses on campus.  Instead, houses schedule their own recruitment events and invite potential members on their own.  Besides our numerous recruitment events held throughout the summer and fall semester, new members are also welcome to come by almost any time to check out the house.  After several visits and if both you and the house are interested in making you a member, you will be extended a bid.
Note:  The WSU sororities, in addition to informal recruiting (called Continuous Open Bidding, or COB),  use a formal recruitment model.  There are university-determined times and functions at the beginning of the fall semester when all the girls interested in joining a sorority travel from house to house and eventually attend "bid night" when they choose a house and most are offered a bid.

4. Can I live in the chapter house?  back to top
  Yes! We have a total of 22 live-in spots available (two men per room).  They are assigned on a first-come, first serve basis.  Rent is extremely reasonable and includes all utilities, as well as cable, broadband internet, and a parking space in the back lot.  WSU requires that all freshman not living with a relative elsewhere in the Wichita area live in either a residence hall (Fairmount Towers or Brennan Hall) or Greek Housing.

5. How does your fraternity promote scholarship?  back to top
  A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for membership in Sigma Phi Epsilon.  In order to help our members maintain a respectable GPA, many resources are provided.  We maintain a 24-hour academic computing center where students can study together, do homework, and conduct research on the internet. In addition, if the answers can not be found on the internet there will more than likely be someone in the house who has already taken the class.

6. What are the grade requirements to be offered a bid?  back to top
  If you have just graduated from high school, the GPA requirement for priority consideration is 3.25.  If you are already attending WSU, a 3.00 is preferred.  However, these rules are not absolute and exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.

7. What philanthropic projects does your chapter support?  back to top
  Nationally, SigEp is allied with Youth AIDS, an organization striving to prevent the spread of AIDS by educating youths and young adults.  This is a relatively new partnership and exciting ways that SigEp can be involved are still in the planning stages.
  We are locally partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and offer yearly support through the MDA Lock Up pledge drive at Outback Steakhouse.  For this event, we pair with a sorority and gather at Outback Steakhouse where we eat free food and collect money for MDA.  Last year we collected $9380 in four hours.
  Another annual event is the Pennies for Wishes drive for the Make a Wish Foundation.  Again, this philanthropy is one we do with a sorority.  If you're from Wichita, you've probably seen us out on a nice morning collecting money on busy street corners for the Make a Wish Foundation.
  Finally, we have just accepted TAKE defense as another philantropic project. TAKE defense is an organization attempting to educate young women in self-defense to protect themselves in potentially harmful situations.
  There are also many smaller philanthropic opportunities that arise during the year.

8. How is the fraternity involved in on-campus and off-campus activities?  back to top
  SigEps are extremely active both on and off campus.  Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon can be found in the Student Ambassador Society, Student Government Association, Engineering Council, Interfraternity Council, Barton School of Business Dean's Ambassadors, Fairmount Towers Activity Council, Student Activities Committee, and many other campus groups.  In addition to our off-campus philanthropic efforts, many SigEps hold jobs from Big Dog Motorcycles to Intrust Bank.  They can also be spotted supporting the local arts, be it a gallery opening, local band performance, or simply socializing at a non-fraternity event.

9. What type of functions does the chapter have with non-Greek organizations?  back to top
  Because of our involvement in so many campus organizations, it's extremely common to find SigEps not officially affiliated with a campus group attending or helping out with a group function.  The network of SigEps on campus often leads to interaction between SigEps and students students from all walks of life.

10. Why should I join?  back to top
  The benefits of joining Sigma Phi Epsilon are numerous indeed.  Check out the Fast Facts page from the national Sigma Phi Epsilon website to see why we are of the best fraternities in America today.  Some more specific reasons include:

• The best way to get involved on campus is to join a Greek-letter organization.  Sigma Phi Epsilon is one of the most involved groups at WSU.
• There's no better way to meet lifelong friends as quickly as through SigEp.
• Once you join, the chapter facilities are available to you 24/7.  The chapter house is a great place to spend a break between classes, meet up with friends, or just hang out any time.
• The Balanced Man member development program means that as soon as you sign, you are a full member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and are entitled to rights as such.  This means no pledging and no hazing.  See answers 11 and 16 for more information.
• It's fun!

11. Do you have a new member program?  back to top
  Like all WSU fraternities, Sigma Phi Epsilon incorporates a new member development program into our members' college experience.  Unlike other fraternities, however, we do not pledge.  When a new member signs SigEp, he is considered a full member.  This means that he can enter the chapter house through the front door, come to chapter meetings, vote, wear letters, and hold leadership positions in the house.  Some other fraternities deny some or all of these rights to their pledges. 
 Rather than the pledge system, Sigma Phi Epsilon utilizes the Balanced Man Program.  In the Balanced Man Program, or BMP, members undergo developmental programs and activities throughout their time in the house.  This is accomplished in four stages called challenges. See our BMP page for more information.

12. What are my responsibilities as an active member?  back to top
  As a member, you'll be expected to attend chapter meetings every Monday night at 7:00.  This is the one time when everyone is together at the house, and it's generally a great time.  Chapter meetings are when members are informed about upcoming events, go through the Rites of Passage, and hear other important announcements that affect the fraternity.
  Besides chapter meetings, the only other regular required meetings are the challenge meetings.  These are usually held on Sunday nights up to four times a month, depending on the challenge.
  There are other responsibilities that aren't regular enough to be mentioned here, but beyond chapter meetings and challenge meetings, there aren't too many required events.

13. Are there any special assessments?  back to top
  Some special events carry charges.  Formal dances, theme parties, and date parties involve special, sometimes elaborate setups that cost money.*  These fees are always as minimal as possible and are only assessed in order to make the party as exciting as can be.  T-shirts are usually made for the theme parties, and vary between $10 and $15.  Sigma Phi Epsilon products and apparel are always available on the national website.  All of these are optional and not required for membership in Sigma Phi Epsilon.

**No chapter money will be used for the purchase of alcohol, ever.

14. What are the time requirements involved as an active member?  back to top
  The minimum requirements are Monday night chapter meetings and Sunday night challenge meetings, but in Sigma Phi Epsilon, you can be as active as you want to be.  There are almost limitless opportunities to devote your time and talents to the fraternity.  There are almost a seven executive positions, and each executive member has a cabinet with anywhere from two to ten men.  Many members are involved in more than one cabinet.
  Rest assured that members will not be required to devote so much time as too adversely affect their studies.  If any effect is to be had on a member's studies by the fraternity, it is surely a positive one.

15. What is hazing, and how does SigEp combat it?  back to top
  Hazing is anything that makes a person feel mental, physical, or emotional discomfort.  This might include forcing physical activity such as push-ups, verbal degradation through name calling, or forcing the consumption of alcohol.  Hazing is the enemy of every Greek letter organization and is the sole cause of almost every negative stereotype fraternities nation-wide are attempting to overcome.
  Hazing is illegal in the American college system, the National Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and Wichita State University.  Hazing is typically associated with pledging a fraternity, but this is no longer an accurate assumption.  All of the major fraternities and sororities in America are endorsing a major effort to do away with hazing in the American college system.  Sigma Phi Epsilon was the first national fraternity to eliminate the pledge system with the introduction of the Balanced Man Program.  In 1992, the Wichita State chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon did away with the pledge system and adopted the Balanced Man Program.  We are currently the only fraternity at WSU that doesn't have pledges.

16. What is the monthly fee?  back to top
  All of the operational costs of the chapter are recovered from monthly dues paid by members.  These costs include the electricity, water, natural gas, and other utilities used by the house.  This also includes free high speed wireless internet throughout the house for all members, as well as premium cable for the big screen TV.  Also included in the dues are things such as some improvements made to the house (most repairs are paid for by the Alumni Housing Board), special amenities like purchasing flowers for sororities, budgets for all cabinet operations, and SigEp yearly school planners for all members.  Monthly dues typically run around $120.

17. Can I hold a part-time job and still be involved in the fraternity?  back to top
  Absolutely, and most members do hold part-time jobs.  The time commitments asked of members are not terribly great (see answer 14), leaving plenty of time for both studies and a job.  In fact, the network of SigEp alumni in Wichita means that finding a job can be incredibly hassle-free.  Many of our current members found work quickly during their first semester of college by going through a SigEp Alumn.

18. Where can I get more information on Greek life?  back to top
  Our national website, WSU Interfraternity Council, and WSU's Center for Student Leadership have more information.  And, of course, the rest of our website is a great way to learn more!