The Merger of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
and Pi Epsilon Phi (PEF)

By the mid-1950's most of the fraternities and sororities on campus had merged with a national greek organization, or had come to campus as a colony of a national greek organization. In 1956, the lone holdout was Pi Epsilon Phi. The Philo's had not felt a great need for national support, etc., provided by the national fraternities, but eventually they began to look at the possibility of merger with a national fraternity. They investigated all the national fraternities not currently on campus and narrowed the list of prospective candidates down to five that were of most interest and were of caliber most conducive for Pi Epsilon Phi. The final decision was made to court the largest, richest, and strongest national fraternity in the country, Sigma Alpha Epsilon. However, the Philo's had to convince the national fraternity that the Pi Epsilon Phi fraternity was worthy of a merger with Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The Philo's were accepted into the merger with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and on December 14, 1957, Sigma Alpha Epsilon's Eminent Supreme Archon, Leo S. Cade, installed the Indiana Epsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Indiana Epsilon started as one of the strongest fraternities on campus, but fell into decline in the mid-1960's due to behavioral problems. They were placed under alumni commission in the late 1960's subsequent to a series of "mysterious" fires which demolished both houses. The behavioral problems, suspensions, and expulsions during the alumni commission, and the loss of chapter housing resulted in a drastic membership decline. The fraternity started in 1970 with only eight active members. Fortunately, the fraternity did recover, and after the construction of "Temple III" in the summer of 1972, Indiana Epsilon entered into a new era of growth. The fraternity reached its membership peak of about 50 members in 1978 before behavioral problems, especially illegal drug use, began to pull the chapter apart again. The chapter was once again placed under an alumni commission in the mid-1980's when it's membership dropped to only seven active members. The alumni commission was in place for ten months, enough time for the fraternity to rid itself of all detriments and re-establish its ideals and standards.

The 1990's were prosperous times for Indiana Epsilon as the brotherhood grew at one point to over 80 men. Temple IV, a beautifully structured house, was built in 1998 and is now the newest, biggest, and only suite-style fraternity house on campus. Up to this point of the new millennium, SAE at the University has maintained a membership of between 50 and 60 brothers and continues to lead campus with members serving as Orientation Leaders, Admission Ambassadors, Division I Athletes, Leadership Academy Representatives, Members of the Interfraternity Council, and with offices in the Student Government.

Today, the Indiana Epsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is one of the strongest brotherhoods on campus. The chapter continues to be proud of its origins and traditions while moving forward to face new challenges and to maintain its high standards of academic and social success.