SigEp Becomes First Fraternity To Completely Dissolve Pledging By Way Of Undergraduate Vote
Yesterday, at Sigma Phi Epsilon’s 54th Grand Chapter Conclave, undergraduate brothers passed a resolution to replace the pledging process nationwide with the “Balanced Man Program.” The BMP was first introduced back in 1990, and by the end of the 2014-2015 school year, 215 of the 228 active SigEp chapters had already adopted the program, but Thursday’s decision made the fraternity the first to officially abolish pledging by way of undergraduate vote rather than a top-down mandate.
From SigEp.org:
“The modern fraternity world is broken,” [Max] Fowler [South Carolina ’15] said. “Hazing allegations, mortalities, substance abuse and a number of other serious issues riddle fraternity chapters across the country. Society needs to see that the American college fraternity is still relevant, and we have to show them SigEp is leading the charge.”
New members will have full rights the day they accept their bid: chapter, ritual, intramurals, etc. Anything a four-year brother can do on behalf of the letters, so can some punk who just walked out of high school.
Unfortunately, I fear this is exactly where all fraternities will eventually go over the next few decades, adapting to the modern social climate. My unborn kid will most likely never have the opportunity to go through the pledging process, which I still stand by as the best experience I’d never want to do again. And that’s a damn shame..
[via SigEp.org]
This honestly isn’t as big of a deal as it seems, there were already close to %90 of chapters using Balanced Man Program. If you think that BMP has no use at all you’re wrong. Both traditional and BMP have their positives and negatives.
10 years ago at 11:16 amthe pussification of America continues
10 years ago at 11:19 amDo your research Regester. New members have voting rights but do not go through ritual until at least a year into it, usually well over that.
10 years ago at 11:24 amAs much as I disagree with this decision, at least they put it to a vote unlike SAE.
10 years ago at 11:30 amA pledge by any other name is still a pledge…
10 years ago at 11:37 amYou don’t have to haze, but you have to have a probationary period. SigEp is already goober central, and this is gonna make it a lot worse
10 years ago at 11:40 amComing from an alumn of the Ohio Alpha chapter, and the last traditional chapter in Ohio, this is truly disappointing. Pledging makes you earn your letters. Pledging forms the bonds that make a brotherhood strong. I’m proud our deligate voted against BM. Fucking pussies. VDBL
10 years ago at 11:46 amwelcome to the world where everybody gets a trophy.
10 years ago at 11:48 amThis just means chapters won’t give “official bids” until the end of the semester and initiate after the next official rush week when other frats give bids. I guarantee most will still have those kids who want to join be underground pledges. Otherwise, this fraternity is dead.
10 years ago at 11:55 amAs someone who belongs to a balanced man chapter, we have hazed and will continue to haze. In fact, most hazing is done until certain challenges are met which can last as long as a year. It’s a shame there will now be SigEps across the nation who identify as full-fledged members without going through the process, but I’m sure there will be many chapters that continue doing it right.
10 years ago at 11:57 am