On a campus where social fraternities are prohibited and banned from receiving University funding, the impending formation of a Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter is momentous. Since mid-January, national recruiters have been visiting Georgetown’s Lauinger Memorial Library, advertising their organization’s ethical premises and social benefits and interviewing potential Founding Fathers. The chapter has 31 members as of publication.
Sig Ep is the largest nationwide fraternity, boasting more than 240 university chapters, over 14,000 current members and upwards of 175,000 living alumni. According to Director of New Chapter Development Dennis Kaps, he and fellow recruiter Jason Cherish decided to target Georgetown students because of their academic excellence and campus leadership.
“We look for guys with a solid commitment to academics who are leaders on campus and who might be interested in starting new organizations,” Kaps said
Although the University does not authorize Greek societies, Sig Ep will not be the first organization to establish a Greek presence at Georgetown. Alpha Epsilon Pi, the national Jewish fraternity, founded its chapter in the spring of 2001 and currently has 42 members.
Assistant Director of Student Programs Kristan Cilente confirmed that the chapter will not be acknowledged by the University.
“Social fraternities and sororities do not have access to benefits at Georgetown University,” she said. “The University has many open and inclusive organizations, and a rich and vibrant campus community, which provides many opportunities for student involvement without the need for a Greek system.”
Kaps and Cherish have met with Georgetown alumni, administrators and other staff members to present the fraternity and ask for recruitment recommendations. Patricia Thomas, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, invited them to attend a Student-Athlete Leadership Advisory Committee meeting.
“Whenever possible, it is my hope that student-athletes engage in a variety of campus life experiences while they are here,” she said. “I would not encourage students to become involved in any activity or organization that is contrary to the mission of this University.”
Keith Tabatznik, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, stated that he saw a parallel between Sig Ep and Georgetown’s Jesuit values. “I see a great potential for a real positive addition to the Georgetown experience for those who become members of the Sig Ep fraternity,” he said. “Its mission is true to the same goals of Georgetown and the Jesuit philosophy towards educating the mind and body.”
Founding members are not deterred by University restrictions. Justin Connor (SFS ‘07), who transferred from the University of Rhode Island, where he also founded a Sig Ep chapter, does not want to establish a Greek system at Georgetown but rather unite diverse student groups.
“The one thing that the Georgetown campus is really lacking is any synergy of the students,” he said. “This could be the first organization that takes a rugby player, a transfer student, a freshman and a basketball player and brings them together.”
Stephen McMullin (MSB ‘07) explained that the short term goal is to consolidate brotherhood. In the long term, the chapter will concern itself with establishing University recognition. “What is important right now is to establish a good group of guys dedicated to the ideals of the organization and to each other,” he said.
Kaps emphasized the importance of local alumni in launching the chapter.
“There are 5,000 alumni within the Beltway,” he said. “This support is crucial for future success since we will not have the support of the University.”
