Sigma Alpha Epsilon is small, but it is not going anywhere.
According to Eric Immel, assistant director of Greek life, SAE is not under any quota system and has enough members to have a fully functioning fraternity.
“SAE is a full-voting member of the Interfraternity Council, and regardless of the number of men they have, their voice is heard equally with the other four chapters in our governing organization,” Immel said.
Immel said SAE is in a rebuilding phase and is working toward having strong participation and activity in the Greek community.
“At some point in time, every organization goes through a period like this. Now we are growing, have strong leadership, and with our work ethic and dedication, things can and will only go up for us,” Arts & Sciences sophomore and SAE president Mike Bahl said.
SAE is currently working hard on recruitment and has been given the chance to increase its numbers with open recruitment, according to Immel and Bahl. Open recruitment allows SAE to recruit throughout the semester, so
although informal recruitment just finished, the chapter is already planning its next recruitment effort.
“The chapter is growing at a rate that leaves us stunned at times. At the same time, we are working to grow even more,” Bahl said.
“Our current pledges have the potential to take the chapter even further than we have been able to thus far. This is an exciting time for Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Creighton University.”
Currently the group comprises 15 men: eight pledges and seven active members. The group has been granted open recruitment for the remainder of 2010.
“I would like people to understand that we are a fully functioning fraternity on campus and that we are in a rebuilding stage,” Bahl said. “We have laid a very solid foundation and will continue to grow from here on out.”
Arts & Sciences sophomore Michael Hinnenkamp is a pledge of SAE. He said the small number is actually what drew him to SAE.
“It never appealed to me to be one of 80 men,” Hinnenkamp said.
He said for him the size has been a great advantage; it makes it easy for members to be a part of all the decisions and really have their voices heard.
“Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we’re not worth looking in to,” Hinnenkamp said. “Because it’s small, it gives you a chance to get involved in an organization and be able to matter within that organization.”
Bahl said the chapter is focusing on development and increasing the chapter’s involvement in the Creighton community. He said the exact manner in which SAE will be doing so is unknown, but they will be deciding in the next couple weeks.
Bahl and Hinnenkamp emphasized that SAE’s “True Gentleman Statement” exemplifies what SAE is about. The brotherhood of Creighton’s small chapter is strong, and Bahl said the members’ passion for SAE leads to excellence in all aspects of their chapter and lives.
“We truly are True Gentlemen, and that we stand by our creed quite intensely – in all aspects of life,” Bahl said.