CAL DELTA JOINS SIGEP'S ELITE GROUP OF CHAPTERS

SigEp at San Diego State was accredited as a Residential Learning Community on October 21. The RLC distinction is the Fraternity’s highest standard for chapters, reserved for those that have exhibited a strong commitment to the mission of “Building Balanced Men.”

“We’re definitely excited to be recognized for the things we’re doing,” said Chapter President Alex Power, ’11.

The four components of a Residential Learning Community are faculty fellow engagement, a living-learning environment, a network of volunteer support and a commitment to personal and academic development.

Official accreditation is earned once a chapter is meeting specific criteria in each of these areas to elevate the SigEp experience for its members.

In the spring 2010 semester, California Delta saw its third consecutive semester above a 3.15 chapter-wide GPA, and its ninth term in a row with the top GPA mark on campus.

The chapter’s faculty fellow, Lori Bednarchik, holds office hours in the chapter facility every two weeks, and reserves weekly hours in her office for SigEps. Power pointed to her as a tremendous resource for the chapter, helping to connect them with various speakers, who present to the chapter on topics like risk management and the dangers of substance abuse, sexual assault and rape.

In addition to her help with chapter programming, Power says she does so much more to support the brothers. “She’s kind of like our big sister in the house,” he said. “We can all go to her for anything from just having broken up with a girlfriend to needing help with a résumé.” Bednarchik attends monthly Alumni and Volunteer Corporation meetings, and even flew to the last Conclave in Orlando.

Bednarchik also teaches a class called FratMANers—Fraternity Men Against Negative Environments and Rape Situations. The class offers three university credits and educates members of the Greek community about how to be gentlemen and good citizens, even in the dangerous situations that often arise on college campuses. Many SigEps have taken the class over the last few years, which is how the chapter recruited her to serve as faculty fellow.

The chapter house will undergo a million-dollar renovation this summer, to create a living-learning environment more conducive to the RLC model. The house will be gutted and renovated to be safer and more aesthetically pleasing. In addition to new plumbing and electrical wiring, the faculty fellow office and academic common space will be expanded.

The new facility, with the Residential Learning Community plaque on the door, will help SigEp at San Diego State set new standards for the campus’ Greek community.

The secret to their accreditation is simple, Power said. “What worked for us was not focusing on the application or meeting the criteria,” he said, “but to establish a culture to achieve more scholastically, and to put in place these things that our members want over time.”

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