Chapter History

In the beginning of the academic school year of 1992 representatives from Sigma Phi Epsilon National Headquarters traveled to the campus of Cal State Fullerton to petition IFC for permission to establish a SigEp colony on the campus, but they were denied their request.

Determined to expand SigEp, Sigma Phi Epsilon Nationals returned in the fall of 1994 finally getting approval to start a chapter at CSF. Clayton Funk, and Jason Saint John, representatives for SigEp, went hard at work to find quality men to join the fraternity. They employed the help of the brothers at Cal Poly Pomona (Cal Mu). Recruitment at a commuter campus proved to be tough, however, since formal rush had already come and gone. As part of the initial recruitment process potential members were asked to fill out an application and take part in an interview. Of the many applicants only five joined: VJ Espelante, Brian Licuanan, Shawn Ghotbi, and Greg Van Ginkel. Shortly after the departure of the National recruiters, the original five members recruited Mike Zanpour Marco Rodriguez, and Farzin Sherkat. Once these men were initiated they set out to work on building a new chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Cal State Fullerton (CSF).

In the spring of 1995 SigEp nationals returned with a notice to be closed for Fullerton Sigma Epsilon Colony. Little did National Headquarters know about the other seven members that had been recruited since their departure.  Much to the surprise of the recruiters fifteen members were present to greet them upon their arrival from Richmond, Va. Surprised by the chapters determination and drive to succeed the recruiters convinced National Headquarters to keep the colony open. The chapter remained, but had difficulty recruiting quality members. Fall 1995 proved a disappointment, of the six members recruited only two remained. Determined to move on and learn from their disappointing efforts, the chapter worked overtime to recruit some of the most important members recruited to date. Spring 1996 became one of the most important semesters in the short time it had been around.

Although the work paid off the chapter was only at twenty members, half of what was necessary to attain the national charter.  Fall 1996 proved successful, but not to the standards that had been set by the chapter. In the spring of 1997 the chapter undertook its strongest recruitment drive ever. By mid-semester manpower had more than doubled, and the chapter was well on its way to attain its charter. On April 12, 1997 the long sought after reward was awarded. Sigma Epsilon Colony at CSF, became Sigma Phi Epsilon California Omega chapter.

Since spring 1997 the face of Cal Omega has changed, but the core belief of the chapter remains true to what the founding fathers of the fraternity and the chapter believed�