Virtual Tour

Welcome to the virtual tour of the Chapter House of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s NH Alpha Chapter at 11 Webster Avenue, Hanover, NH. The house was officially opened on 3/24/2011, built on the site where the old SigEp house was constructed in 1896, and significantly expanded with the addition of a “New Wing” in 1962.

By the Chapter Centennial Celebration in 2009, the inadequacies of the old facility and the opportunity to raise money for a new house were coalescing. With a successful “Campaign for SigEp at Dartmouth” chaired by Robert Wetzel ’76, and with the support of honorary chairmen Bruce Hasenkamp ’60, and Ed Haldeman ’70, nearly a million dollars was raised.

The old house was demolished during Reunion Weekend in June 2010, and construction of modules which would become the new house began in Pennsylvania managed by Domus Custom Builders of Etna, NH. Nine months later the new 11,000-square foot house was ready for the undergraduates to move in.

Theodor Seuss Geisel ‘25 Porch

Standing at the front door, you’re on the Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel porch. Named for one of our most famous alums from the Class of 1925, the porch provides a stately yet comfortable area for relaxation and checking out Webster Avenue from the comfort of the beautiful Adirondack chairs.
The porch is 60’ x 8.5’.

The Red Door

In keeping with National SigEp tradition, the Chapter House has a red door as a sign of welcome to all SigEp brothers.

The Balanced Man Entryway

Behind the Red Door lies an entryway with a tile mosaic of the Balanced Man logo on the floor with the words “Sound Mind and Sound Body” in Greek at the top.

In 1991 Sigma Phi Epsilon implemented a 'Balanced Man' program that abolishes pledging, emphasizes year-round recruitment, encourages lifestyles based on the three Cardinal Principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love, and promotes the ideals of "a Sound Mind in a Sound Body." Dartmouth’s NH Alpha Chapter participated in developing the Balanced Man program and was the first to adopt the program, which is now followed by more than 80% of Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters.

The Balanced Man Program consists of four challenges labeled Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and Brother Mentor. Each challenge consists of specific physical or mental tasks intended to progressively develop a member as a balanced man with a Sound Mind in a Sound Body and a balanced servant leader. These challenges teach the member how to apply SigEp's Cardinal Principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love into his daily life.

The National SigEp fraternity credits the Balanced Man Program as the driving force behind the continued growth and success of the fraternity. Some of these accomplishments include SigEp's 90% undergraduate retention rate, a major improvement in the national average SigEp GPA (3.10 as of Spring 2011), and SigEp's status as the nation's largest fraternity by undergraduate membership.

The Hasenkamp Library

With digital projection, wireless internet, air conditioning and eventually bookcases and display cases for storing and showcasing the Chapter’s awards, the Library, dedicated by National fraternity donors in honor of Grand President Bruce Hasenkamp ’60, serves as both a study area and a smaller meeting room. Dartmouth’s SigEp chapter is consistently ranked as having one of the highest GPA’s in the country (currently 3.54), while also having one of the largest memberships (currently 96 members). At the 2009 National Conclave, Dartmouth won its fifth Buchanan Cup in a row symbolizing a decade of excellence in all aspects of chapter operations.
The Library is 21.25’ x 23’.

The Kitchen

Under College rules which require the use of centralized dining facilities, the kitchen across the hall from the Library is intended for the use of members for occasional casual dining purposes. Members who use cooking facilities must clean up after themselves. The counter heights and cabinet placements are in accordance with accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The kitchen is 13’ x 15’.

First Floor Bath and Closet

Each floor of the house has a closet with plenty of storage shelves and a floor mop sink to make it easier to keep the house clean. During social events, bathrooms on the first and basement floors are designated as either men’s or women’s rooms for the comfort of our guests.

ADA/President’s Suite and Bath

In compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, the fraternity has a wheelchair-accessible bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.

The Second and Third Floors

The living floors can be secured from access from the downstairs level during social events and are sound-proofed from the floors below. The second floor has two Doubles (at 215 square feet) and nine Singles (ranging from 117 to 124 square feet). The third floor also has two Doubles, but on eight Singles ranging from 120 to 172 square feet. The living floors each have a two-stall, two-sink, two-shower bathroom. All rooms come with a double bed, desk, and desk chair, and have radiant heat and air-conditioning. Room rent is the same as the College’s dorm rent (currently, $2465 per semester).

The Basement

With a dedicated laundry room, men’s and women’s bathrooms, a TV Room, and a large (over 1000 square feet) basement area for four pong tables, the SigEp basement is well-equipped to serve the living and social needs of the fraternity. There is also a House Manager’s and a Social Chairman’s storage; a Mechanical room where the network, phone, heating and cooling systems are located, as well as an elevator to the first floor. There is a door directly onto the backyard and parking area which provides handicapped access to the elevator. The elevator is strictly for handicapped access and is not intended for general use.

The Oopik-Qua Chapter Room

The Oopik-Qua Room is named after one of the fraternity’s co-founders, Francis Moncrief Qua, and Arvo Oopik, a member of the Class of 1978, who died in 1994 in a plane crash while in the U.S,. Health Service. At over 950 square feet (22.75’ x 42’), it is big enough to hold the entire membership for House Meetings. Built-in speakers and a digital projector allow for multimedia presentations, and an Officer’s closet provides storage space for Ritual and other equipment.