SigEp cares about the safety and well being of its members and wants to ensure that individuals joining our organization have the best fraternity experience possible. We are committed to eliminating risky behaviors associated with alcohol and drug use, hazing, sexual abuse and physical assault.
Risk needs to be a consideration in everything the chapter does. A risk management mindset allows brothers to prevent, avoid and minimize problems before they occur. Brothers must take personal responsibility for their actions to help ensure the safety of their fellow brothers, guests and the community.
Member safety is an essential investment in time and effort. This section provides you with SigEp’s Risk Management Policies and Procedures as well as some useful resources to help you effectively manage risk and create a safe and healthy environment for your brothers.
Policies and Expectations
SigEp’s Risk Management policies embody the values and expectations of our Fraternity. All undergraduate members and volunteers are expected to abide by these policies when conducting chapter activities.
View SigEp's risk management policies.
View the training in 10 video to further understand SigEp's updated risk management policies.
It is important that chapter officers review these policies with their alumni volunteers (chapter counselor) when they assume their position of responsibility. As chapter officers, you are not only expected to abide by these policies, but also hold your brothers accountable to them. Therefore, after familiarizing yourself with the policies, you are responsible for reviewing them with the chapter membership. It is recommended that these policies be reviewed at least once a semester as well as prior to hosting a chapter social event. By conducting these reviews, you are reinforcing the risk management mindset that will keep your chapter’s activities safe over time because you and your brothers will use better judgment in every chapter decision.
As stated in SigEp’s risk management policies, failure to comply with the policies jeopardizes your insurance coverage. When a member is denied coverage by Sigma Phi Epsilon’s insurance company for violating policies then the member must turn to their own personal liability policy or their parents’ homeowner’s policy.
Education and Resources
Alcohol and drug use, hazing, sexual abuse and physical assault can have a devastating effect on your brotherhood. SigEp offers resources to ensure these risky behaviors don’t negatively impact your chapter.
To understand how all these resources work together, check out the Utilizing Member Safety Resources document.
Your Chapter’s Policies and Procedures
As chapter leaders, you dictate your chapter’s environment. This privilege comes with the obligation to make this environment safe and healthy for all brothers and guests. This requires you to set risk management expectations for your brothers and hold others accountable for their actions. This resource below will help you take these important first steps:
Your Chapter’s Risk Management Procedures
How to plan your next chapter event.
Once your chapter has comprehensive policies and procedures in place, you must implement them through the event planning process. By engaging in this process and utilizing this social event planning resource, you will be more equipped to plan and manage your event safely by identifying potential risks that arise when organizing an event. This resource provides step by step instructions on how to plan an event that is in full compliance with SigEp's Risk Management Policies. As soon as you begin planning for an event, use this valuable tool to ensure your event is safe and well planned.
There may be times when your chapter is interested in hosting a concert, athletic event or a large social event that is outside the scope of SigEp’s risk management policies. In these cases, the chapter must apply for “special event” liability insurance coverage with a limit of at least $1,000,000. Go to special event insurance to learn more about when this type of coverage is necessary and how to apply for it. You must submit your application at least 30 days in advance of the event to allow sufficient time to obtain premium quotes.
Should you have any questions or need assistance, contact Member Safety Director Kathy Johnston.
Member Safety Team (MST)
SigEp cares about the safety and well-being of its members and wants to ensure that individuals joining our organization have the best fraternity experience possible. Therefore, Headquarters staff and volunteers have been working to improve every aspect of our member safety approach. Meet the Member Safety Team (MST).
Additional Resources
The resources below supplement your risk management procedures and event-planning guide, and provide insight into other risks that your brothers may be exposed to.
An Officer's Guide to Member Safety (Video)
Event planning
- Social Event Planning Guide
- Crisis Management Guidelines
- Third party vendor resource
- SigEp’s Risk Management Policies
- How to Utilize Member Safety Resources to Plan Safe Events
- Sober Monitor Guidelines
- Third-party Vendor Event Checklist
- SigEp Chapter Risk Management Procedures Template
- BYOB Event Checklist
- Guidelines for Designated Driver Programs
- Tailgating Best Practices
- Security Vendor Checklist
- Member Safety Assessment
- Holmes Murphy Event Planning App
What to do if an incident occurs.
Alcohol and hazing
Sexual assault resources
- SigEp and Alpha Delta Pi Sorority form partnership — Live Your Oath
Dealing with mental health issues
SigEp wants to support our members when they are faced with a situation involving a brother’s mental health. If you have a brother in your chapter who is struggling with a mental health or situational problem, we recommend you show your brother care, concern and support. Encourage him to reach out to his family, and help him seek services at your university’s counseling center or local hospital. You may also call your university’s counseling center or local hospital to obtain local consultation about available resources and how to proceed, as well as other local resources (i.e., AVC, Greek life professional).
For information and support, you may call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (at 1-800-273-8255) or text the Crisis Text line at 741741. It is essential that you voice your concern to an AVC member or campus resource: a situation where someone’s life may be at risk is too much responsibility to handle without the help of a trained professional.
If a brother in your chapter has voiced thoughts of suicide, or you think he may be suicidal, it’s important to take action to get help. If you are concerned about his immediate safety or welfare, call 911 or campus police to conduct a welfare check. For information and support, you may call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or text the Crisis Text line at 741741. It is essential that you voice your concern to an AVC member or campus resource: a situation where someone’s life may be at risk is too much responsibility to handle without the help of a trained professional.
Mental health issues and situational crises are extremely treatable, so it’s important to reach out to your brother and encourage him to take advantage of any help that’s available, especially if he has suicidal thoughts. It can also be useful to invite your counseling center to speak at a chapter meeting about mental health issues and campus resources so brothers know what resources are available before things reach a crisis-point.
Learn more about SigEp’s insurance coverage.
View the 2017 Spring Bill Communication & Structure.
View the 2018 Spring Bill Communication & Structure.