Sigma Phi Epsilon recharters as learning community

Inside Sigma Phi Epsilon’s house on North Jordan is something unique among the greek community: a classroom.

This is just one of the many reasons why members believe their fraternity is doing something different.

“Hollywood came up with this idea of what a fraternity should look like, and that stuck in people’s minds,” said junior brother Brice Floyd. “We’re trying to change that.”

The fraternity, which is rechartering Saturday, will be the first Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter in the nation and the only fraternity at IU to charter as a residential learning community.

Sig Ep returned to campus as a colony in 2006. By rechartering, it will be recognized as an official chapter by its national organization.

As a residential learning community, the fraternity will hold classes for its members in a classroom that was built in the fall when they moved into their house.

This semester, Floyd said eight or nine members are taking a class taught in the classroom on religion and financial planning.

Members are currently working to have a leadership course taught next fall just for Sig Ep members.

Floyd said the residential learning community designation fits with the fraternity’s values.

“Academics come first, even though we socialize and do other things,” Floyd said. “We’re here to get our diplomas.”

Sophomore Zack Swad, Sig Ep public relations chair, said leadership classes will help with membership development because the fraternity members are already “recognized as leaders on campus.”

The fraternity will be host to a dinner for the deans of several schools Friday night to discuss its plans for the learning community.

“We had a dinner last semester, but only one dean showed up,” Floyd said. “He must have talked it up to his friends, and now more of them are coming.”

Despite apprehension from some members about being labeled the “nerdy fraternity,” Floyd said most members now understand the value of a learning community designation. He said there is also potential for expansion of this program to other Sig Ep chapters and the IU greek community as a whole, though nothing is in the works right now.

“We will be rechartering with the highest fraternity GPA on campus,” Swad said. “The classes themselves will build leaders out of us.”