About Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of California, Santa Cruz
History
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi was founded October 1, 1998 at the University of California, Davis. There was a void left on this campus from the early-1990s, when a national Jewish sorority closed its chapter, leaving the Jewish women on campus without a social organization. In the fall of 1998, with the help of ΑΕΠ the idea of starting a Jewish woman’s group, not necessarily a formal sorority, was conceived and executed. Several informational meetings were held at the ΑΕΠs house and at the Hillel House. The response was extremely positive, and thus, ΣΑΕΠ was born. The “Sigma” in our name is meant to represent “sisters of,” making us the sisters of ΑΕΠ to honor their contributions in creating this sorority. The letter Sigma (Σ) is also the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet, and in Jewish tradition, the number 18 means chai (life), adding even more meaning to our name.
Our Eternal Mothers are the 6 women who were part of the founding class and continued to graduate as alumni are Alycia Seaman, Erin Glick, Leah Dansker, Rachel Rothfarb, Erin Barker, and Dana Miller. Pan-Hellenic Council In the spring of 2000, the Pan-Hellenic Council, which was comprised of 8 national social sororities on the UC Davis campus, voted unanimously to offer ΣΑΕΠ associate membership to the Council. This allowed ΣΑΕΠ to become a presence in the Greek community on campus.
“Sorority Life” The first season of MTV’s “Sorority Life” was filmed in the spring of 2002 on the UC Davis campus featuring members and pledges of ΣΑΕΠ. Through the airing of the show, ΣΑΕΠ has expanded across the country with 7 new chapters and continues to expand. National Board A national board was started in the summer of 2002 to oversee the expansion and growth of ΣΑΕΠ as a nationwide sorority.
The Delta Chapter of SAEPi (Our Chapter) was established at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the spring of 2003 and was initiated as a chapter in the winter of 2005. Many of our member are not Jewish and we are accepting of everyone. We hope to continue thriving at UCSC and show the Greek life on campus that we are active members!
Symbols
Nickname: Sigma
Motto: Spirit, Strength, Sisterhood
These three words, the core of ΣΑΕΠ, are the foundation of what the organization is and what the sisters strive toward. Unity, Trust, Strength, Sincere Sisterhood, Exemplifying Jewish Values. These values define the sorority as a community. Members, individually and collectively, aim to live these values both in and out of the context of the organization. Each value is equally important and should never be sacrificed for another.
Mascot: The Lioness
The lioness represents strength, power, and force within the sisterhood. A sister, just like the lioness, should be strong-minded and caring to those around her.
Colors: Blue and Gold
Blue is a prominent color in Judaism. Gold represents the richness which ΣΑΕΠ brings to its members. They are also the colors of the University of California.
Flower: Blue Iris
Blue irises are flowers that are delicate, unique, and command attention. The colors of the blue iris also are remarkably similar to the colors of ΣΑΕΠ.
Jewel: Sapphire
The sapphire’s blue color is linked to emotions such as sympathy, harmony, friendship and loyalty.
The Crest:
The Crest was designed to incorporate many ΣΑΕΠ symbols.
History
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi was founded October 1, 1998 at the University of California, Davis. There was a void left on this campus from the early-1990s, when a national Jewish sorority closed its chapter, leaving the Jewish women on campus without a social organization. In the fall of 1998, with the help of ΑΕΠ the idea of starting a Jewish woman’s group, not necessarily a formal sorority, was conceived and executed. Several informational meetings were held at the ΑΕΠs house and at the Hillel House. The response was extremely positive, and thus, ΣΑΕΠ was born. The “Sigma” in our name is meant to represent “sisters of,” making us the sisters of ΑΕΠ to honor their contributions in creating this sorority. The letter Sigma (Σ) is also the 18th letter of the Greek alphabet, and in Jewish tradition, the number 18 means chai (life), adding even more meaning to our name.
Our Eternal Mothers are the 6 women who were part of the founding class and continued to graduate as alumni are Alycia Seaman, Erin Glick, Leah Dansker, Rachel Rothfarb, Erin Barker, and Dana Miller. Pan-Hellenic Council In the spring of 2000, the Pan-Hellenic Council, which was comprised of 8 national social sororities on the UC Davis campus, voted unanimously to offer ΣΑΕΠ associate membership to the Council. This allowed ΣΑΕΠ to become a presence in the Greek community on campus.
“Sorority Life” The first season of MTV’s “Sorority Life” was filmed in the spring of 2002 on the UC Davis campus featuring members and pledges of ΣΑΕΠ. Through the airing of the show, ΣΑΕΠ has expanded across the country with 7 new chapters and continues to expand. National Board A national board was started in the summer of 2002 to oversee the expansion and growth of ΣΑΕΠ as a nationwide sorority.
The Delta Chapter of SAEPi (Our Chapter) was established at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the spring of 2003 and was initiated as a chapter in the winter of 2005. Many of our member are not Jewish and we are accepting of everyone. We hope to continue thriving at UCSC and show the Greek life on campus that we are active members!
Symbols
Nickname: Sigma
Motto: Spirit, Strength, Sisterhood
These three words, the core of ΣΑΕΠ, are the foundation of what the organization is and what the sisters strive toward. Unity, Trust, Strength, Sincere Sisterhood, Exemplifying Jewish Values. These values define the sorority as a community. Members, individually and collectively, aim to live these values both in and out of the context of the organization. Each value is equally important and should never be sacrificed for another.
Mascot: The Lioness
The lioness represents strength, power, and force within the sisterhood. A sister, just like the lioness, should be strong-minded and caring to those around her.
Colors: Blue and Gold
Blue is a prominent color in Judaism. Gold represents the richness which ΣΑΕΠ brings to its members. They are also the colors of the University of California.
Flower: Blue Iris
Blue irises are flowers that are delicate, unique, and command attention. The colors of the blue iris also are remarkably similar to the colors of ΣΑΕΠ.
Jewel: Sapphire
The sapphire’s blue color is linked to emotions such as sympathy, harmony, friendship and loyalty.
The Crest:
The Crest was designed to incorporate many ΣΑΕΠ symbols.