The Supreme Council of fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) has made the executive decision to cease their new-member (pledge) program, according to a press release.

SAE will adopt the True Gentleman Experience, which would not change their current recruitment process, according to the press release.

The main difference: when a student accepts the extended bid, they will become a collegiate member. New members will no longer be called “pledges,” according to the press release.

New members will be considered brothers when they accept their bid and when they are initiated.

According to the press release, the Supreme Council unanimously supports the new program, which ensures a more positive, meaningful membership for SAE’s members and alumni.

TCU’s SAE Chapter President Mitch Titsworth served on the planning committee for the program. Titsworth wrote in an email that he believes this new program is going to be nothing but positive for the future of SAE both at TCU and nationally.

SAE will be moving to a holistic education model, TCU Program Coordinator/Interfraternity Council Advisor Molly Devine wrote in an email.

“This model will ensure that all members are treated equally, as they will all share the same benefits and privileges,” Devine wrote.

According to the press release, the Supreme Council decided to change their new member experience in order to protect their future as an organization. This new program aims to eliminate a class structure between their new members and active members.

The new program became effective for all national Sigma Alpha Epsilon colonies and chapters on March 9.

SAE’s national press release stated that any uninitiated members must be initiated as brothers within 48 hours, or by March 11.

Since March 9, new-member (pledge) programs have been eliminated completely from their operations and the classification of new-member (pledge) no longer exists, according to the press release.