Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ) is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity. It was founded at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on March 9, 1853. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South. Its national headquarters, the Levere Memorial Temple, was established on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in 1926. The fraternity's mission statement is "To promote the highest standards of friendship, scholarship and service for our members throughout life."
| Sigma Alpha Epsilon | |
|---|---|
| ΣΑΕ | |
| Founded | March 9, 1856 University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.) |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | NIC |
| Scope | United States |
| Motto | Phi Alpha (ΦΑ) |
| Colors | Royal purple Old gold |
| Symbol | Lion |
| Flag | |
| Flower | Violet |
| Patron Roman divinity | Minerva |
| Publication | The Phi Alpha The Record |
| Chapters | 317 Chartered, 215 Active |
| Colonies | 21 |
| Members | 15,000 collegiate 348,500+ lifetime |
| Headquarters | 1856 Sheridan Road Evanston, Illinois 60208 United States |
| Website | sae.net |
The fraternity has chapters and colonies in 50 states and provinces as of 2011. The creed of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The True Gentleman, must be memorized and recited by all prospective members. In March 2014, the fraternity announced that it was eliminating the tradition of pledging following several alcohol- and drug-related incidents.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon had eleven deaths linked to drinking, drugs and hazing between 2006 and 2013, more than any other Greek organization in the United States according to data compiled by Bloomberg. During the 2010s, at least 18 Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapters were suspended, closed, or banned.