balanced man vs traditional

[Benson7824]

Trad1,

Just reading your first paragraph tells me you have no idea what the BMP entails. As an FYI, the BMP takes LONGER to learn the secrets of the fraternity than traditional pledging.

As for the brotherhood statements, I'll just say that, as a BMP chapter founder, I know what brotherhood is and learned this through toils and stress that makes doing pushups look like a cakewalk. And I guarentee you are not any closer to your pledge brothers than I am to my brothers.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...SigEp chapters differ on each campus - always have and always will. I've seen and heard about very strong and very weak chapters all over the country, and the reality is that whether they are Trad or BMP doesn't make a bit of difference...it's all about the men in the chapter and the alums that stick around to support it.

Benson

[traditional1]

Longer? Really? When do BMPledges learn the token and sign? I was told it was during the first few weeks after a bid... I have no idea if that is true, but if it is, it's completely irresponsible.

I congratulate you on founding a new chapter of this fraternity. If I thought you wanted it, I would give you any help I could. I honestly hope you do make pushups look like a cakewalk for each of and every one of your pledges. Pushups were really just a mataphor. I hope you ding your pledges, I hope you are careful in who you do and do not let into your brotherhood. I hope you offer the hardest physical and mental challenge to your pledges they ever will know, unless, perhaps they happen to enter the military.

The entire point of this thread is that Traditional chapter alums completely disagree with what you say about "Trad or BMP doesn't make a bit a difference". But otherwise what you say is entirely true. I am an alum who sticks around to make sure the traditions of my fraternity (at least at my chapter) never change.

[hoyasigep]

Traditional1,

First, the same ceremony takes place when you become a Sigma or a Pledge. In our chapter, the Sigma Challenge lasts 12 weeks, involves study and gym hours, learning the LROB, the songs etc. It usually ends with a major event the night before the Sigmas go through the Phi rite of passage.

The Phi Rite of Passage is the same ritual as the Initiation in traditional chapters, but cut off at a certain point. Check your ritual books to see where this is. In our chapter, another semester and a half passes before the Phi's can progress through the Epsilon Rite of Passage. This is the same, full ritual as you experienced.

There is strong sigma class unity in our chapter, but there is a greater bond between all brothers. The biggest difference I see is that sigmas are considered brothers, while pledges are not. I agree with you that this can cause problems; however, it also solves many problems such as hazing etc. One brother currently in our chapter is a transfer from a traditional chapter. At first he had great hesitations about the BMP, but after actually seeing it implemented in a way that appreciates the benefits of a traditional chapter, its obvious that it can work well.

By the way, I also agree with the issues of nationals pushing numbers and turning this into a business. I love SigEp, appreciate good traditional and BMP chapters, but have no tolerance for Tragos Phi Epsilon. Oh and EDGE sucks.

[SigEpBrother2K8]

Originally Posted by traditional1

Longer? Really? When do BMPledges learn the token and sign? I was told it was during the first few weeks after a bid... I have no idea if that is true, but if it is, it's completely irresponsible.

I congratulate you on founding a new chapter of this fraternity. If I thought you wanted it, I would give you any help I could. I honestly hope you do make pushups look like a cakewalk for each of and every one of your pledges. Pushups were really just a mataphor. I hope you ding your pledges, I hope you are careful in who you do and do not let into your brotherhood. I hope you offer the hardest physical and mental challenge to your pledges they ever will know, unless, perhaps they happen to enter the military.

The entire point of this thread is that Traditional chapter alums completely disagree with what you say about "Trad or BMP doesn't make a bit a difference". But otherwise what you say is entirely true. I am an alum who sticks around to make sure the traditions of my fraternity (at least at my chapter) never change.

It takes a lot longer to learn the secrets. I have been through the Phi Rite of Passage and I do not know the token and sign, nor a few other secrets. I am learning slowly, which allows me and my class to concentrate harder on each secret, what it means, and learn how to apply it to my own life and live it. I joined Fall of '07. I agree tradition should never change, but sometimes it must evolve.