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Interested in Becoming an SAE?
Sigma Alpha Epsilon offers young men many important advantages in college and beyond. In a critical moment of development, SAE surrounds its members with key pillars of positive growth: scholarship, leadership, friendship and service. Brothers will learn home stewardship and self-governance. The friends you make here will inspire you to reach your highest potential, and the friendships you’ll make will last a lifetime.
Our goal is to give young men the community, culture, guidance, and tools they need to be a True Gentleman. This means having focused principles, strong convictions and the strength to always do the right thing–as a True Gentleman rises above his peers to be a guiding light today and tomorrow.
The SAE New York Alpha chapter house is called Hillcrest, and is located in the north part of West Campus next to Phi Gamma Delta and Alpha Delta Phi. While Hillcrest is owned by Cornell University, SAE alumni are responsible for operating and maintaining it.
In the past 10 years, alumni have contributed over $2 million towards renovations of Hillcrest, including a reconfiguration project to make all 35 rooms into single rooms, a renovated kitchen with a hot buffet and salad bar, a new deck with the best view of Ithaca, and a recreational lounge on the ground floor (the Sieling Lounge, named after Hal Sieling (’62) for his many contributions).
Over 130 Years of Success Behind You
History is on your side when you join Sigma Alpha Epsilon. We have been a big part of the Cornell campus since 1891. SAE has produced leaders in academics (the late David Lipsky, former dean of the Cornell Industrial and Labor Relations School), business (William Perez, former CEO of Nike, Inc. and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., David Einhorn, founder of Greenlight Capital and Keith Barr, former CEO of Intercontinental Hotels Group), and politics (Svante Myrick, former Mayor of Ithaca). With over 1,000 living Cornell SAE alumni, ties are valuable in networking and business.
365 Day Recruitment
SAE formally selects new members during the spring Interfraternity Council recruitment process with invitations issued based on character, leadership and commitment to academics. Incoming freshmen are required to wait one semester before joining a fraternity, but transfer students may join during their first semester on campus. The recruitment period typically begins in mid January with bids extended at the end of January.
SAE was the first fraternity to eliminate pledging in a major step to end hazing. Instead, SAE has instituted a 96-hour bid to initiation process and a rolling 365 day initiation process.
If the benefits and friendships of SAE interest you, we encourage you to contact us today.
The Recruitment process is led by SAE Recruitment Chairman. They will get to know you through in-home meetings, over lunch or dinner or touring the SAE House. They take time to meet your parents and are ready to answer any questions you and they have.
If you are a student interested in joining SAE, please complete our Student Recruitment Application. It helps us learn more about you and ensure we have your name on our contact lists.
Alumni, family and friends that would like to submit a recommendation for a possible candidate are encouraged to complete our Recruitment Recommendation Form. Upon submission these forms are directed to our Recruitment Chairmen. If you prefer to speak with any of our Recruitment Chairman directly, their phone numbers and email are listed below.
