Convening each day of Conclave, the Grand Chapter, comprised of one delegate from each of SigEp’s 200+ chapters as well as National Board members and district governors, passed legislation that will empower and encourage undergraduates to support each other and uphold SigEp’s standards. 

Here’s a summary of the legislation passed by the Grand Chapter. It does not include ceremonious pieces of legislation. 

Resolution 14 – A Charge to the National Board of Directors to recruit a task force to study mental health within fraternities
This resolution identifies an important need that will better equip our brothers to support each other, by establishes a task force that will “identify major challenges faced by undergraduate men in regards to mental health.” It points to research that 25 percent of young adults aged 18-24 have been diagnosed or treated by a mental health professional in the past year, and that men are far less likely to seek treatment for mental health issues. 

By the 2021 Conclave, this new task force will research mental health among undergraduate men and issue recommendations that will inform how to best support the mental health of our men. 

Resolution 1 – Recruitment of Potential Legacies of Sigma Phi Epsilon
SigEp has not had a defined policy regarding legacies, and this legislation addresses that need so chapters can feel empowered as they recruit. The resolution reads, “It is incumbent upon … each local chapter to embrace the membership of potential legacy members and continue the development Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni started as parents.” 

Alumni who are brothers, fathers or grandfathers of current undergraduates may identify those legacies through Headquarters, and chapters should invite those undergrads to recruitment activities and fully evaluate them for membership. However, this doesn’t force chapters to give a bid to legacies — should a legacy not embrace SigEp’s ideals or meet the chapter’s recruitment standards, the chapter may decline to offer membership as long as it provides its reasoning to the legacy’s family. 

Resolution 7 – Membership Status During an Assault Investigation
Should a member fall under police, university or legal investigation for a sexual or other physical assault, the member is automatically suspended until the investigation is complete. This defines the procedure should such an unfortunate situation occur, and enables chapters to act quickly while respecting the investigative processes. 

Resolution 5 – Trial Appeal Procedure
This resolution addresses a gap in the bylaws and clarifies procedures regarding standards board appeals. It establishes that an expelled member may not appeal his expulsion decision to the National Board unless the chapter’s standards board has already heard his appeal. Additionally, if the National Board receives an appeal but determines the chapter’s standards board must re-hear the case because it didn’t follow procedure, the standards board may still expel the member after re-hearing the appeal. 

Resolution 6 – Standards Board Vacancy
Vacancies on the standards board should be filled by an elected alternate if possible, before going to a chapter-wide election process.

Resolution 16 – New Member Registration Refund Period
Because of the costs triggered immediately when new members are registered, a new member who wishes to leave the Fraternity within the first 30 days of joining will be refunded 50 percent of his Lifetime Membership Fee rather than the full amount.

Resolution 20 – Continue the Sigma Phi Epsilon Ritual Task Force
The Ritual Task Force will be extended until next Conclave to continue work on a supplemental document to aid interpretation of the Ritual.

You can view all pieces of legislation that were submitted here.