At Richmond, which did not have a chapter of Chi Phi, Jenkens was part of a group of friends who were meeting regularly under the unofficial name the "Saturday Night Club".

[4] By early October 1901, Jenkens had persuaded the group, which had grown to twelve men, to try to establish a chapter of Chi Phi at Richmond.

These men were reportedly spurned by the existing fraternities on campus for their sense of morality (seven of the twelve were studying for the ordained ministry) and for their rural, middle-class backgrounds.

The group's request for a charter, however, was met with refusal as the national fraternity felt that Richmond College was too small to host a Chi Phi chapter.

[5] In November 2019, Sigma Phi Epsilon withdrew from the North American Interfraternity Council, stating that the national organization was not doing enough to limit hazing and alcohol abuse.

The tradition of the red door on Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter houses began at Syracuse University (New York Alpha) in the 1920s.

[8] In December 2014, Sigma Phi Epsilon became the first fraternity in the North American Interfraternity Conference to accept transgender men as members.

[9] In 1997, the chapter at San Diego State University was shut down for several years after a pledge nearly died due to a hazing ritual.

[11] In 2007, four members of the fraternity were arrested from Florida State University for hazing after police found 31 pledges shivering in 30-degree weather and covered in raw eggs, catfish-stink bait, flour, and vinegar, and their bodies were red with welts.

[12] In 2011, three Sigma Phi Epsilon members from East Carolina University were arrested and charged with several offenses for possession of 49 grams of marijuana, three Adderall pills, and a dozen stolen street signs at their fraternity house.

[25][26] In October 2015, Sigma Phi Epsilon revoked the charter of the Jacksonville State University chapter due to hazing and other alleged actions including racism and sexual misconduct.