Every SigEp chapter should offer academic programming that complements its brothers’ experiences inside the classroom. While many chapters are either operating as a Residential Learning Community, or striving to become one, any chapter can take steps to bolster its academic experience.

Deb Mullen, Ph.D., is the faculty fellow for SigEp’s RLC chapter at Nebraska-Lincoln and an RLC Task Force member. She is the associate dean in the College of Education and Human Science at UNL, and she teaches a class within the facility specifically for SigEp brothers. She offers some advice for chapters looking to enhance the academic experience within the Fraternity:

The easiest way for chapters to start beefing up their academic programming is to focus on single experiences. These experiences can include things like time management or study skills workshops, guest speakers or group discussions. Faculty fellows can also be great resources for the chapter as you build out your academic programming. Many of them already have ideas about what type of programs would be beneficial, and may have them prepared and ready to deliver.

Faculty fellow recruitment isn’t much different from new member recruitment. If your chapter is looking to recruit a faculty fellow, have everyone in the chapter list their three favorite professors. Once you’ve built a list, host an event like a formal dinner to meet with them. The chapter leaders should be prepared to give some kind of presentation about your chapter and exactly how you’re looking to engage faculty members. Chapters can also consider presenting to the vice president of student affairs. The men of Nebraska Alpha did this a few years ago and the vice chancellor has supported faculty involvement ever since.

Boosting academic programming takes time. Over my six years as a faculty fellow at Nebraska, there have many things that haven’t worked. Learn what works for your chapter. It all starts with what the freshmen hear. Freshmen drive the chapter experience long term and they create the kind of culture that is described to them during recruitment and that they see during their first semesters involved in the chapter. At Nebraska Alpha, this semester’s 42 new members achieved a 3.62 GPA, helping the chapter achieve its first number one ranking on campus in over 10 years.

Back to the Officer and Volunteer Monthly >