The house formerly occupied by members of Sigma Nu has a new set of Greek letters on its wall. Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, also known as SigEp, has moved into the home after the doors closed due to a student death last year.

SigEp’s members had been looking for a fraternity house for some time, chapter adviser Jim Davis said, and were nearing an agreement with USU Housing when discussions had to be put on hold after Michael Starks, a Sigma Nu pledge, died of alcohol poisoning during his initiation. The local chapter was shut down and the building was purchased by former Sigma Nu members, who entered into a leasing agreement with Sigma Phi Epsilon in mid-August.

Sigma Phi Epsilon certainly understands what Sigma Nu has gone through. The house where Delta Sigma Phi is currently located once housed SigEp, but the chapter had to close due to an incident similar to Sigma Nu’s, Davis said.

“It’s a situation that SigEp is aware of,” Davis said. “It’s not our attempt to steal or take over. I wish (Sigma Nu) the best.”

Davis feels confident the house will serve the fraternity’s needs: a place for meetings, activites, support to the greater Greek community and a central location for fraternity brothers to live.

“We hope that it has a positive influence in both directions,” Davis said.

“They have a great organization and have a lot to offer,” Tiffany Evans, director of the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, said.

There are currently 27 students living in the house, fraternity member Linds Smith said, 14 are members of Sigma Phi Epsilon and 13 are friends and roommates not officially associated with the fraternity.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon organization promotes a sound mind and body, president Alex Putnam said. Its members have the highest grade point average of any national fraternity and focus on developing networks and leadership skills.

“We’re the first fraternity to move away from hazing and pledging,” Putnam said.

Putnam added that Greek organizations in general have a lot to offer their members.

“All of the fraternities have skills you learn that will help,” he said.

Until now, Sigma Phi Epsilon has not had an official location on or around campus, and Putnam said they hope to charter this year, needing approximately 20 more members. While the fraternity had looked at different possibilities around Logan for housing, Putnam feels that it’s in the best interest for the organization and the others on Greek Row to have SigEp on 800 East.

“It’s where the Greeks belong,” Putnam said. “It’s good for us to be a part of the community.”

–b.c.wood@aggiemail.usu.edu