Benefiting from the Balanced Man Program
Austin Jackson, Southern Mississippi ‘13
Time as an undergraduate member of Sigma Phi Epsilon should be one of the best experiences in a man’s life. A chapter that provides a comprehensive, four-year development experience free of hazing will amplify the impact it leaves on its members. We asked Austin Jackson '13 from our Mississippi Gamma Chapter at Southern Mississippi to share his experiences in revitalizing his chapter’s membership experience using the Balanced Man Program.
When I joined SigEp at Southern Mississippi during the fall of 2009, the chapter’s development plan consisted of following orders from older members, pointless pledge meetings, and an abundance of meaningless hazing. The only focus on academics existed in the form of a series of study hour sessions.
It was clear that our chapter operations and member development process was in desperate need of repair. In 2011, with the help of volunteers and Headquarters staff, the chapter got a fresh start without the members responsible for the previous program. Since that time, we’ve seen tremendous improvement in the areas of academics, continuous development and brother involvement.
After ending the use of study hours as the primary academic component of our development program, we increased academic accountability and added meaningful individualized support. The chapter’s GPA increased from a 2.58 in the fall of 2010 to a 3.18 in spring 2012, marking the highest fraternity GPA ever recorded at Southern Mississippi.
When I was a new member we were required to make pledge boards and get signatures from every brother in the chapter. While intended to help new members get to know current brothers, the practice turned into a system of hazing the new members in return for signatures on their boards. By identifying the intended purpose – brothers getting to know each other – we came up with an approved list of interview questions between interviewers and interviewees to be asked in a safe, controlled setting. We accomplish the same objective but in a meaningful and positive way.
Previously, the chapter suffered from the disengagement and lack of participation from juniors and seniors. Now, since we provide older brothers leadership opportunities, mentoring positions and professional development through the Epsilon and Brother Mentor challenges, we’ve been able to retain and involve our junior and senior members while holding them accountable to academics, dues, and involvement. Had it not been for the continual development opportunities provided to me through the Balanced Man Program this past year and a half, I too would have become more disengaged as I got older.
These changes have also increased our volunteer support. After seeing the turnaround that our chapter has made, Wynde Fitts, associate dean of students, has become one of our faculty fellows. Wynde has contributed her expertise in student affairs to help us revamp the team-building and interactive components of our member development challenges.
As the current vice president of member development, who has witnessed and experienced the old ways of Mississippi Gamma, I can honestly say that change is not a bad thing. While the idea of changing chapter traditions and implementing new procedures is an intimidating thought, and has proven difficult, I am extremely thankful that Mississippi Gamma made the changes necessary to improve the experience we were providing to our members. It is because of these changes that SigEp sits as one of the best fraternities on campus.
Interested in learning more about Austin’s experience? Contact him at austin.b.jackson@eagles.usm.edu. If you are looking for ways beyond those above to improve the experience your chapter provides its members, contact your regional director for resources and support.
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