[alpha] SPEAKS
Sigma Phi Epsilon New Jersey Alpha 530 Husdon St. Hoboken, NJ 07030
May 12th, 2007 Re-Chartering Banquet: Check inside for details.
CLA by Mike Ivey
BMS by Michael Munley
Committee attended Carlson Leadership Academy in Herndon, Virginia. Ryan Price, James Waterman, Gerard Moreno, Ray Kirchoff, Mike Cardinale, and I arrived at about 8:45pm at the Hilton Hotel. We quickly began talking amongst the representatives of the North Carolina Beta chapter about hot topics like recruitment and different reasons why large chapters are the best chapters. On Saturday, we broke up into our separate position training sessions. We each learned what other brothers in our positions do differently than ourselves, and we were all guided on how to do the best possible job in our respective roles. After several hot topic seminars like Recruiting, Senior Apathy, and SigEp History, there was a Ritual performed by Maryland Beta. Finally, the programming ended with an awards dinner where NJ Alpha was recognized for being in Phi Beta Kappa. Overall, it was a great experience for all of us and we came back excited to incorporate the new ideas that we learned from the Academy.
held on Monday, January 22nd. The scholarship is used as both a reward for students’ academic and extracurricular pursuits as well as a recruitment tool. Over 20 students applied for the scholarship, with 10 finalists selected by means of a rigorous interview process. The 10 finalists were then invited to a dinner catered by Lisa’s Deli of Hoboken, where the scholarships of $500 and $250 were presented. This year’s recipients were Michael Brown, a sophomore Biomedical Engineering student who is an RA and founder of the Stevens Roller Hockey team, and Mitchell Izower ($250), a varsity fencer with aspirations of becoming a doctor. The committee is looking forward to next year’s scholarship season and aims to begin a fund-raising drive to ensure that this program is able to continue long into NJ Alpha’s future.
On February 9-10, 2007, six members of our Execuitve
The Balanced Man Scholarship dinner was
Recruitment by Jim Waterman
Alumni and Volunteer Corporation
after recruiting 10 new brothers in mid January and another 16 new brothers in early April. These new brothers joined as part of our new two-tiered recruitment plan for the Spring 2007 semester. This system takes advantage of the fact that we recruit continuously. What is more significant than the number of new members is the caliber of this group of new brothers. They represent a diverse group of talented scholar athletes. Sigep is quickly establishing itself as the dominant recruiters on campus.
he Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC) will be holding elections on April 30th at 7 PM in the extension (529 Court St.). If you would like to be involved or give back, this is a great opportunity. The current Executive Board is as follows: President: Jeff Saltiel Vice President: OPEN Treasurer: Steve Buce Secretary: Gary Blauth There are also several open trustee positions. The AVC typically meets once every 1-2 months at the house.
Current manpower stands at 63 members strong
by Mike Cardinale
T
Programming By Chris Babula
host a ‘Pi Mile Challenge Run.’ The event is designed to be a charity fund raiser as well as extend both organizations’ good will in the community. The philanthropy event is captured in the essence of SigEp’s Sound Body ideal, and will challenge runners to a 3.14 mile run on a difficult terrain course through campus and Hoboken. With the help of SigEp, the Pi Challenge Run is looking to recruit a significant number of participants from the chapter, campus, Hoboken residents, ROTC, and anyone else that might be interested. The first 3 finishers will receive monetary prizes. Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted their first annual Parents’ Day on March 24th. The Brothers of SigEp invited their parents to experience what NJ Alpha has accomplished over the past three years. The days itinerary started with parents and their sons supporting our brothers on the Stevens baseball team as they played a double header versus Maritime College. A house tour followed to showcase all of our challenge projects, including the Sigma ’06 mural and the courtyard restoration. Parents and their sons finish the evening with a great meal. The meal was prepared pot luck style, with each set of parents in attendance bringing a dish. There was a diversity of different foods from a wide range of cultures: from Spanish to Italian to Indian. Everyone had a great time.
SigEp
Sigma Phi Epsilon is teaming up with the National Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi, to
Keep Connected by Mike Cardinale
The alumni board has a new discussion group now that SmartGroups has shut down. The group is located at www.groups.google.com/group.sigepnja. Also, check out the actives’ website at www. stevens.edu/sigep. If you have yet to see the house, there is an interactive tour at www.stevens. edu/sigep/house. If you’re in the area, feel free to stop by and see the real thing: brothers are always around and happy to give a tour. Don’t forget about the Red Door policy.
A Letter to the Alumni Dear New Jersey Alpha Alumni:
By Mike Cardinale
New Jersey Alpha has established a voluntary dues support system, the purpose of which is to sustain and improve our chapter. Each time Alpha SPEaks is published, we will include a request for alumni dues support. The funds will be used to underwrite the costs of alumni communication (particularly Alpha SPEaks), to support needed house renovations, and to enhance chapter activities (especially Founder’s Day). We have established three levels of dues support: A red level at $25 A purple level at $50 A gold level at $100 It is our hope that each of you will contribute at a level which mirrors your ability and your support of our chapter. Please make checks payable to Sigma Phi Epsilon NJ Alpha and mail it to: Ryan Price 530 Hudson St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 Alternatively, the Chapter has created a PayPal account to which you can make contributions by credit card by going to www. paypal.com and using sigep@stevens.edu as the recipient. NJ Alpha also has a fund with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation in Richmond (to which tax-deductible contributions may be made) in support of an endowment for undergraduate pursuits of higher education, like the Balanced Man Scholarship. These funds will be maintained by the Foundation and disbursed according to a request jointly made by the undergraduate chapter and the alumni board. If you would like more information about donating, please contact Mike Cardinale (mcardina@stevens.edu). As always, thank you for your support of our chapter.
S
igEp at Stevens has maintained the highest Fraternity GPA for the past six semesters. This past fall semester, SigEp achieved the highest GPA (3.415) on campus compared to all other Greek organizations. The chapter has competed in Greek Council sports and reached the playoffs in virtually every sport every year; winning the soccer championship last year. Sigma Phi Epsilon encourages campus involvement. SigEps are leaders and members in many organizations including: • Two members in the EC of the Inter-Fraternity Council, including the President • Two members on the EC of the Mechanical Engineering Society
Two members on the EC of the Elec-
trical & Computer Engineering Society
• Two members on the EC of Tau Beta Phi Engineering Honor Society • Co-operative Education Student Council President • Stevens Dramatic Society President • Stevens Ski Club Vice President • SGA Representatives and Senators • Members in other honors societies including KHODA, Gear and Triangle, Order of Omega, Theta Alpha Phi • Three ROTC cadets • Entertainment Committee members • Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity members • Stute (Student Newspaper) writers • Several Tutors, Peer Mentors, and members of the Ambassadors Club • Paintball Team Captain • Five Fencers • Two Track Athletes • Two Volleyball Athletes • Nine Baseball Athletes • One Wrestler
Giving the House a New Look by Ryan Price
R
ather than destroy the house and clutter the hallway with beer cans, the brothers of SigEp are doing something quite different. Challenge projects have been created with the aim to beautify the house while instilling followership and leadership qualities. We firmly believe that followership is not the antithesis of leadership, but the compliment of it. Whether it is decorating the house with murals, adding exterior lights with motion sensors, relocating/renovating the bar in the extension, waterproofing the basement, or repairing the roof; brothers are giving back to the house and leaving their mark on the house that will last through time. The most spotlit project is the Epsilons’ challenge project, which is to fully re-surface the courtyard and build a new grill pit. Like all challenge projects, the brothers have zero dollars to start with. Brothers have to think of creative ways to fund each project. The courtyard in particular has come a long way since 2005 when brothers moved in the newly renovated facility. The extension and courtyard were the construction staging areas while the house was under construction. It was left by the contractors littered with debris and overgrown vegetation. During the 2006 work weekend, the courtyard was cleaned up in its entirety; however it just unmasked a bigger problem. The slate was broken, unlevel, and in some places, covered in concrete from the construction. The brothers wanted to fix the safety hazard before it became a problem and have the courtyard as a functioning part of the facility. The project started in January 2007 with much thought and insight to the future of the courtyard. It was decided pavers were the most viable solution to the problem. To date, all the slate, concrete, and grill areas have been unearthed. The slate is up for sale on “Craig’s List” (www.craigslist.org) and most of it has already been sold. Materials estimates have been compiled and a project schedule has been formulated. Materials include 10 tons of crushed gravel, 10 tons of sand, and approx 1000sq. ft. of London cobble pavers. The plan is to complete the project in time for Sweetheart Weekend in late April. With its completion, the Epsilon Challenge members will physically leave their mark on the Stevens chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon for years to come.
Before
During Construction
Sample of London Cobble
Blast from the Past
It was one late spring evening slowly becoming early morning. Some unsurely social event was coming to a close, and several brothers were in the halls attempting to romance some certain morally relaxed women into their lofts. Our chapter president and my roommate, Brother Mike “McStumpy” Nagle and I were quietly enjoying a tobacco product on the front steps, reflecting on the evening. Soon, we were joined by Jed “Feloobus DeHootefeltcher” Bloomenfeld, a lanky, part-time EMT medic, and full-time master of the obvious. As what would happen with any conversation Jed tried to work his way into it. He interrupted with a well thought out rhetorical question. “Hey wad’ya guys doin, sitting on the steps?” I hear from behind me. Promptly Mike Nagle and I accepted the invitation to completely abuse the young, unsuspecting Jew. And soon the conversation degenerated into an all out abuse fest on the lad. Then suddenly, a sound from behind the Red Door. There was some commotion, and then a strange sound emanating a coriolis effect. “DDDUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH...... SPLAT!” Fearing the worst, Jed “SuperDork” Blumenbagels sprang into action. Within seconds, he opened the front door only to see Todd Guidi lying on the floor outside of what was room 8 in 528. No teeth in his mouth, blood on his face, and his arm mangled. Superdork, using his MacGyver-like tactics, instantly made a home made sling and bandages using toilet paper, a textbook, and some beer cans. Guidi emerged, almost mummified in toilet paper (where were the photos when you needed them?). Mike Nagle, President, began to sh*t. Someone had to call his parents. I volunteered to take on the task. Guidi was rushed to the hospital and treated for his injuries. Apparently, in a drunken stupor, Guidi was trying his best to foil the attempts of the others trying to convince the young maidens to remove their clothing... A tactic known as Cock-Blocking. After repeatedly being asked to remove himself, he agreed, but determined that the quickest way to get down to room 7 from room 9 was to take the elevator. The building has no such device. So he plummeted down the largest flight, breaking his fall with his face. Now, I haven’t been to the house since the renovations, but the last time I was there, if you looked carefully, you could still see the teeth marks in the parquet floor. And legend has it that if you listen up close enough, you can still hear the moans of Launchpad ever so faintly, “DDDUUUUHHHHHH.......” Be well,
Mark Cambria (#704)
Sigma Phi Epsilon NJ Alpha Installation Banquet by Mike Cardinale
The Brothers of the Sigma Epsilon Chapter at Stevens Institute of Technology request the pleasure of your company at the installation banquet in honor of the re-chartering of the New Jersey Alpha Chapter on 12 May 2007 at 6 P.M. at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ. The cost per plate is $75. The attire is Formal or Black Tie. If you would like to attend, please make checks payable to “Sigma Phi Epsilon NJ Alpha” and mail the check with the completed form below to: Ryan Price 530 Hudson St. Hoboken, NJ 07030 An RSVP is required by 27 April 2007. If you would like further information, please contact Mike Cardinale at 732-492-3945 or mcardina@stevens.edu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name___________________________ Please indicate your Entree choice: Stuffed Chicken Breast______ Aged New York Strip_______
Name of Guest (if any) ___________________________ Please indicate your Entree choice: Stuffed Chicken Breast______ Aged New York Strip_______
Phone Number ___________________________ Please include check for $75 per plate with completed form.
Stevens SEC To Re-Charter in May The Stevens SEC Chapter of SigEp is on the home stretch of their journey toward re-chartering. SigEp was re-colonized at Stevens in February of 2004, where members from headquarters handpicked men of Stevens based on their ideals of “Sound Mind and Sound Body.” They were made aware that the fraternity they were about to join would be different. SigEp develops its members not by pledging but through the Balanced Man Program which serves as the model for other fraternities in the 21st Century. In the Fall of 2005, three semesters after the initial re-colonization, the newly renovated house was completed and the SigEp chapter was officially recognized by Stevens. For the last six consecutive semesters SigEp has dominated all other fraternities in academics being first of all fraternities in GPA and has a current GPA of a 3.42. SigEp has also dominated in intramurals, as they have been recruiting men from the baseball, track, volleyball, wrestling and fencing teams. Outside of Greek life, SigEps have emerged as the leaders on campus as well. They are the presidents and officers of most engineering honor societies, campus clubs and organizations. SigEp dominates. Manpower was the only weakness SigEp had. Headquarters set a lofty chartering requirement of 55 brothers. This was a far cry from the 36 dedicated brothers that made the great fraternity what it was in Fall 2005. Since then, brothers have persevered and made the fraternity even greater, increasing the membership to 63 brothers. That magic number of 55 has finally been exceeded and dominated like everything else SigEp does. With all the criteria met, executive boards over the last two semesters have been composing a 250 page chartering petition that was recently submitted to the National Board of Directors. With great anticipation brothers are at the final stage now, and are planning a chapter installation where the charter will officially be given back to the brothers of the Stevens SEC. Arrangements for the re-chartering retreat and banquet are being made for May 12, 2007. Brothers of the Stevens SEC will soon become brothers of NJ Alpha. If you are interested in joining us as we celebrate our re-chartering, please fill out and mail in the form located on the other side of this page. -Ryan Price
“This Fraternity will be different; it will be based on the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood…its purpose shall be to intensify and perpetuate friendship and promote happiness among its members, to encourage literature and education, and to create such sentiments, mould such opinions, and perform such deeds as shall conduce to the building of a noble and pure manhood.”