About

  • Background

    Sigma Alpha Epsilon (also known as SΑΕ) is a secret letter, social college fraternity. Founded on March 9, 1856 , it has initiated more men since its founding than any other fraternity with more than 280,000 initiated members. At present, SAE has more than 8,200 undergraduates at more than 225 chapters in 47 states. It established a national headquarters (Levere Memorial Temple on the campus of Northwestern University in Chicago, 1929), a national Leadership School (1935), a national Men's Health Issues Committee (1980), and a career-development program tailored for the community ("The Leading Edge" in 1990).

    Currently, the Fraternity offers a comprehensive member-education program called The True Gentleman Initiative. The Fraternity communicates through The Record, a quarterly publication that has been published continuously since 1880 . New members receive a copy of The Phoenix, the manual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, for educational development.

  • Mission

    The mission of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is to promote the highest standards of friendship, scholarship and service for our members based upon the ideals set forth by our founders and as specifically enunciated in our creed, The True Gentlemen.

  • Principles

    • To develop in our members the skills which will facilitate their making deep and meaningful friendships throughout their lives.
    • To provide our undergradurate members with a physical and organizational environment conducive to their pursuit of academic excellence.
    • To help our members better understand and experience diversity and change to enhance their respect for individuality and personal integrity.
    • To foster personal development of our members including leadership, scholarsip, citizenship, social and moral responsibility.
    • To develop in our members a sense of duty for individual and group involvement in social interactions, service and community outreach.
    • To provide our members with guidance, support and standards based upon the ideals embodied in our ritual.
    • To develop, maintain and enforce standards and expectations for the conduct of our members within and outside of the Fraternity.
    • To provide our members with life-long fraternal experiences that are productive, rewarding and enjoyable.

  • Quick Facts

  • Won 4 awards from IFC in 2008: Leadership Education, Finance Management, Athletics, and New Member Education
  • Number 1 rated fraternity by the Gallup Poll.
  • Number 1 rated fraternity by Heller Survey.
  • Number 1 rated fraternity by Bantas for 35 years.
  • Number 1 rated fraternity by Playboy on 19/20 campuses.
  • Has been rated the number one national fraternity for more than 53 years (of 60) by the College Survey Bureau.
  • Has the greatest number of initiates of any International Greek Letter at 256,000 men.
  • Requires all chapters to conduct dry rush, and the Fraternity has a strong policy against hazing.
  • Raised more money for community service in the past year than any other Greek organization.
  • Has Education and Leadership Consultants who visit each chapter to assist with management and programming.
  • Was the first International Fraternity to be established in the deep south, having been founded at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, on March 9, 1856.
  • Was the first fraternity to have a International headquarters (Evanston, Illinois) and the first to build its own headquarters building (The Levere Memorial Temple) The temple is the only International college fraternity headquarters to have a chapel.
  • Was the first fraternity to establish a leadership school. Started in 1935, Leadership School has over 32,000 graduates.
  • Has 212 chapters in 49 states, 9 colonies and 175 alumni associations.
  • Has a quarterly fraternity magazine, The Record, published continuously since 1880.
  • Has a student loan program to assist undergraduate brothers with their education.
  • Has an awards program to recognize outstanding contributions of Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumni, undergraduates, chapters, and others to the development of individuals and to the betterment of life in their community.
  • Encourages pledge programs which enhance each individual's personal growth.
  • Was the first Fraternity to offer a toll-free anti-hazing hotline available for all members, pledges and parents.
  • Offers a scholarship program