 Sigma Phi Epsilon ( " Sig Ep " ) at Dartmouth College was founded on April 22 , 1908 , as the local fraternity Omicron Pi Sigma . In 1909 , the local fraternity became New Hampshire Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon . By the late 1960s , the house had become disenchanted with the national organization and felt that the Dartmouth membership would be better served as a local fraternity . The brothers voted to dissociate from the national organization on January 18 , 1967 . A vote of the alumni of the New Hampshire Alpha chapter on February 1 , 1967 , supported the decision . The new local fraternity adopted the name Sigma Theta Epsilon ( which was also used by an unrelated national fraternity ) . The Sigma Phi Epsilon national continued to communicate with the local Sigma Theta Epsilon fraternity at Dartmouth , and by 1981 was willing to offer significant financial support for building renovations in exchange for reaffiliation . Convinced that the national organization had reformed in its commitment to the individual chapters , the local fraternity voted to rejoin Sigma Phi Epsilon on February 18 , 1981 . The national Sigma Phi Epsilon organization is known for its Balanced Man Program , an ongoing program of development through which members challenge themselves and to use their different talents and backgrounds to help each other become balanced men ( having a Sound Mind in a Sound Body ) and balanced servant leaders for the world 's communities . Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon become members the moment they join the fraternity , without having to endure a traditional pledge period . However , they commit to taking on a series of personal and leadership development challenges for the rest of their time as an undergraduate . The New Hampshire Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was actually the first chapter to adopt the Balanced Man Program . Prominent alumni of the New Hampshire Alpha chapter include Theodor S. Geisel , class of 1925 , better known as " Dr. Seuss " and former Chairman of Dartmouth 's Board of Trustees and CEO of Freddie Mac , Charles E. Haldeman . 
