Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) was founded March 9, 1856 at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa; the first Greek-letter fraternity founded in the South, and the only general fraternity with continuing existence founded in the South before the Civil War. SAE is North America's largest social fraternity with more than 280,000 initiated members all-time (as of 10/2006). The mission of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is to promote the highest standards of friendship, scholarship and service for its members based upon the ideals set forth by the Founders and as specifically enunciated in "The True Gentleman."

 

Fraternity symbols: Lion, the Phoenix, Minerva, the Coat of Arms & the Fleur-de-lis

Official Flower: Violet

Official Colors: Royal Purple & Old Gold

 

Sigma Alpha Epsilon was the first fraternity to establish a national headquarters (1929), a National Leadership School (1935), a national Men's Health Issues Committee (1980), and a career-development program entitled the Leading Edge (1990). The Fraternity communicates through The Record magazine, a quarterly publication that has been published continuously since 1880. Their are currently more than 10,000 undergraduates members at more than 205 chapters in 48 states and Canada. Over 190,000 living alumni are active in more than 170 alumni associations across the Nation and the Globe. The California Lambda Chapter was founded November 5, 1955 at the California State University, Long Beach and is the 164th chapter of SAE. Cal Lambda has 1,391 initiated members all-time (as of 1/2007), the most out of any fraternity at Cal State Long Beach.

What Should I Act Like During Rush?

Be yourself! Don't try to act differently during rush or go out of your way to impress people. The best way to make friends and earn their respect is to act like you would any other day.

 

What Will Increase My Chance of Getting A Bid?

Don't rush too many different houses and risk not getting to know any of them well. Never criticize a brother, or another fraternity house. You never know who will take offense to your comments. Get to know the other guys who are rushing. Don't count on joining the same fraternity that they will,
but you will feel much more comfortable throughout the rush process. Have fun! Rush can be one of the most fun and exciting times you'll have in college.

 

So you want to join ΣAE?

We'd love to hear from you. Click on the button below to send us your information so we could get to know you!

Terms to Know

Several terms you may come across while deciding which fraternity to join:

 

Rush: the recruitment period set aside by IFC whereby undergraduates interested in a fraternity are able to meet with the members,
learn more about the organization, and join a Greek organization (fraternity).

Rushee: a man who is participating in Rush.

Active: an initiated member of a fraternity in good standing.

Bid: a formal invitation to join a fraternity.

Chapter: the local group of a larger national organization. Our chapter is California Lambda and our larger national organization
is the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

I.F.C.: the Inter-Fraternity Council is the collective governing body and policy-making organization of the fraternities on a campus.

Initiation: the formal ceremony which brings the pledges into full membership.

Legacy: a prospective rushee whose grandparent, parent, or sibling is an alum of, or active in, a particular fraternity.

Pledge: one who has been accepted as a probationary member of a fraternity. After a period of education ("pledgeship") about the fraternity and fulfilling specified requirements, he may be initiated.

Pledge Education ("Pledgeship"): a period of education in the history, ideals, and traditions of a Greek organization prior to initiation.