Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity will offer two merit-based scholarships to members of the freshman class as a reward for community involvement.
The Leadership Award, which will give a $500 scholarship to one male and one female member of the Class of 1997, is "about academic support and scholastic and personal achievement," Sig Ep Scholarship Chair Dan Richman '95 said.
The scholarships are funded by the fraternity's national organization.
The scholarship is usually awarded to two men the summer before they arrive at college, Richman said. But Dartmouth's chapter had to change the scholarship to fit the College's freshman exclusion policy, which prevents freshmen from entering Greek houses until Winter term.
When Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco suggested including women, the brothers agreed it was a good idea, Richman said. Dean of Freshmen Peter Goldsmith also said he suggested that "the scholarship be equitable in terms of gender."
Richman said, "It's a deviation from the way most Sig Ep chapters work it but it's great for Dartmouth."
Goldsmith said he met with Dean of the College Lee Pelton and together they deemed the scholarship to support "academic excellence and general campus leadership."
The fraternity sent out letters and applications to all '97s at the beginning of Spring term. The application deadline is April 22. Sig Ep has not yet decided when it will reveal the winners.
Richman said he estimates 25 to 30 percent of the applications will be returned. A group of Sig Ep brothers, Sig Ep alumni and members of the administration will then narrow down the group to 30 students for interviews.
With so many qualified and talented applicants, the reviewing committee has decided to specifically focus on students' past and present levels of community involvement. "We are looking for a unique, seasoned individual," Richman said.
After a short interview, four to five interviewing teams will again cut back the group to the 10 most qualified applicants, Richman said. The second round of interviews will be more informal and relaxed, with the purpose of really getting to know the applicants.
An awards banquet for the final 10 applicants is projected to be held in the beginning of Fall term next year.
Sig Ep is implementing the scholarship program in conjunction with the fraternity's "Balanced Man Project," which eliminates the traditional fraternity pledge period and places each member at a different stage of brotherhood.
Sig Ep President Chris Vale '95 and Richman both said they are welcoming the positive publicity the scholarship will bring to their house, and Richman said he hopes "other national frats here will follow suit."
The scholarship opportunity "comes at a great time to show that [the Greek system] is not all negative," Vale said.
Although the scholarship will be granted to a male freshman, Richman said it will not be used as a recruitment tool for fraternity rush.
"We have no idea if any of the applicants want to rush at all, or if they're anti-Greek, or if they have already chosen another house," he said. "This is not a recruitment tool for us since we are a deferred rush college."
This will be a trial year for the scholarship. The fraternity hopes to increase the amount of the award in the future, Richman said.
