Sigma Phi Epsilon, Missouri Zeta Chapter Records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2014.001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, ledgers and publications as well as audiovisual materials including photographs, slides, film and scrapbooks. The collection is organized into four series: Missouri Zeta Chapter Meeting Minutes, Alumni-Related Materials, Missouri Zeta Chapter Organizational Materials and Audiovisual Materials and Scrapbooks. Within each series the contents are generally arranged in chronological order.

Dates

Creation: 1942-2014

Restrictions

The Membership Record Book in Series III (Box 4468) is restricted for privacy reasons. All materials in Box 4469 and Box 4473 are restricted for preservation reasons.

Rights Statement

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical / Historical

The first men’s society at Southeast Missouri State University, the Webster Literary Society was founded on September 19, 1891. The Webster Literary Society later became the Missouri Zeta chapter of the national fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon on December 5, 1953. The national fraternity of Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded on November 1, 1901, in Richmond, Virginia. The members of the fraternity are referred to as Sig Eps or Eps.

Multiple allegations of assault were made against some members in November 1988, resulting in the university’s suspension of Missouri Zeta’s charter at that time, and then the national Sigma Phi Epsilon headquarters revoking their charter on October 20, 1989. Missouri Zeta was given permission by national to restart the chapter in Cape Girardeau on September 24, 1995. Missouri Zeta received its new charter from the university on April 24, 1999.

The alumni association of the Missouri Zeta Chapter has gone by different names over the years. The Missouri Zeta Alumni Corporation was formed in St. Louis in May 1958. In 1978 the name was changed to the Missouri Zeta Alumni Association. The final name change came in 1982 with the incorporation of the association and the official designation was Missouri Zeta Alumni Corporation of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Extent

5.0 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Sigma Phi Epsilon, Missouri Zeta Chapter Records contains meeting minutes, newsletters, correspondence, ledgers and publications as well as audiovisual materials including photographs, slides, film and scrapbooks. The collection documents the history of the Missouri Zeta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon including its beginnings as the Webster Literary Society, its transition to become part of the national fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon and the various events and other activities conducted by the chapter. The collection also documents the formation of the chapter’s alumni corporation, based out of St. Louis, along with a variety of events and fundraisers directed by the alumni of the Missouri Zeta chapter.