The nation�s largest fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, has started a program called Balanced Man to help promote healthy living and self respect. The program is a four-year fraternity experience that challenges many of the typical fraternity traditions. For example, there is no hazing because there is no pledge system. All members are equal from the start. While alcohol isn�t prohibited, non-alcohol activities are encouraged. SigEp hopes this program will help to save Greek life.

Different chapters have created different activities as a part of the new program. The George Washington University chapter does yoga together; Miami University in Ohio fraternity brothers learn how to salsa-dance and cook traditional Mexican meals. At Oregon State University, part of the program includes weekly meals together at which the brothers are required to dress appropriately and use good manners. The brother acting as manners chair presides over the meal and anyone who breaks the rules � such as napkins on lap, no swearing, and eat neatly � must do penalty push-ups or pay a fine into the piggy bank in the middle of each table.

For the Oregon chapter, the program has had dramatic results. Just five years ago, the members there were known for drinking. "When I got here in 2001, it was awful," says Mike Powers, 20, a senior. "Drugs were coming in, grades were falling. There were nothing but monster parties." The turning point was a party which resulted in $195,000 in fines for serving alcohol to minors. The chapter took drastic measures, purging the hardiest partiers � a third of the brothers left the chapter. Now, with the Balanced Man program, membership levels are back up and the chapter is in the top 15 percent in academics and community service nationwide.

Not everyone agrees with the changes that SigEp has initiated with Balanced Man. Some say such programs are ruining the Greek experience. Kevin Stange, a SigEp who attended MIT in the late 1990�s says, "Some of my best experiences in college were stupid things I did with my friends, usually involving alcohol. We never went too far, though. And the real reason people join frats is to have fun. Balanced Man doesn't address that."

But the positive results across all SigEp chapters are hard to ignore. Membership has increased 11 percent since 1999. Insurance premiums have gone down and GPAs have gone up. Other fraternities are starting similar programs: Sigma Alpha Epsilon started True Gentleman, Beta Theta Pi has Men of Principle.