The connection between undergraduate students and faculty is a critical part of the collegiate learning experience. Time spent with faculty outside of the traditional classroom makes a significant difference in the lives of college students.

A faculty fellow is a member of the university faculty or academic support staff who serves as a mentor and advisor to brothers in the chapter. The faculty fellow position is ideal for faculty and staff members who are passionate about finding learning opportunities with students outside of the classroom. 

While there is no minimum time commitment for the position, chapters are encouraged to set and define the goals of the relationship with a faculty fellow when he/she agrees to support the chapter in the role.

Overview of the Role
SigEp faculty fellows can immediately engage with a chapter in a number of ways:

• Hold weekly office hours at the chapter facility.
• Attend chapter and AVC meetings to emphasize the importance of academics.
• Share meals with chapter members.
• Address academic concerns for individual members.
• Serve as a resource for on-campus academic support and university academic policies.
• Present sessions on best practices for academic success to new members of the chapter.
• Post the times they will be available either at the chapter facility or their on-campus office.
• Send weekly chapter-wide emails on academic-related topics.

To further enhance the chapter’s academic environment, faculty fellows can:

• Teach a class or seminar in the chapter facility, and encourage other faculty to do the same.
• Promote student/faculty interaction through cultural and educational programming like debates, “fireside chats,” and guest speakers.
• Meet with chapter officers to review the chapter’s academic progress, standards, and incentives.
• Bring other faculty members and administrators to the chapter house for informal interactions with members.
• Identify students who are academically at risk and suggest proactive measures.
• Spearhead a faculty dinner for brothers to invite their favorite professor to attend.
• Invite them to attend the events of fraternity members involved in other student-organized activities, including intramural competitions, university athletics, service events and fine arts performances.

Faculty fellows are not required to have previous affiliation with a fraternity or sorority. As volunteers for Sigma Phi Epsilon, they are protected by the Fraternity’s general liability insurance policy.

Coordinating with other volunteers
Faculty fellows are one of many critical elements in the network of support for an undergraduate chapter. A strong working relationship with the chapter counselor and coordination with other members of the chapter’s Alumni and Volunteer Corporation are important to ensure undergraduate members receive a consistent message.

The faculty fellow should be familiar with many of the resources available through the Fraternity. For additional resources, visit the following pages. 

Mentoring undergraduates
SigEp Learning Communities
Balanced Man Program
Undergraduate vice president of member development

Read more about recruiting and engaging faculty fellows.