The idea of creating a Jewish fraternity at the University of British Columbia (UBC) officially began at the 1998 Schusterman Leadership Assembly in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Jeff Waldman, the first Beta Chi Vice-President met Ilan Barda, a brother from the University of Toronto. Ilan spoke with Jeff about AEΠ and how the UT AEΠ chapter evolved and flourished in a short period of time. Jeff then met with Andy Borans, the AEΠ International Chapter Consultant, who added his insights and comments regarding AEΠ. The conversation ended between the three gentlemen with Andy saying, "Jeff, get a group you think would be interested in AEΠ, give me a call and I will make a special trip out to Vancouver to speak with you guys". Throughout the week at the conference, both Andy and Ilan reminded Jeff of the benefits of AEΠ and what it meant to be a brother of the AEΠ fraternity. In addition, they continuously offered words of advice and re-assurement that this idea was an excellent one.

Upon Jeff's return to Vancouver, he contacted some friends and proposed the ideas of starting a Jewish fraternity. The idea was well received, but many were skeptical that a Jewish fraternity could succeed at UBC. This skepticism had merit, as approximately ten years prior a small group of Jewish guys at UBC tried to form an AEΠ chapter. Unfortunately, the plans took a turn for the worst and they gave up on the idea. But in Jeff's mind he knew that with effort, dedication and time the dream was possible.

Jeff remained in contact with Andy Borans and Ilan Barda to whom he posed his concerns and questions regarding the commencement of AEΠ. After months of telephone tag with Jeff, Andy made a trip out to Vancouver to speak with the aforementioned group of Jewish guys recruited with the help of Adam Propp. The initial group members were Adam Propp, Nuri Fisher, Dari Fisher, Greg Louis, Adam Gelmon, Jeremy Waldman and Jeff Waldman.

Adam Propp and Jeff Waldman continually expressed their excitement in creating a UBC AEΠ chapter in order to kick-start a fairly inactive young Jewish population in Vancouver. They wanted AEΠ to bring excitement to campus life and to develop interest among Jewish students at UBC, Langara College, Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen College/University. For Jeff, the phrase used by Richard Joel at Leaders Assembly in 1998 of, "doing Jewish with other Jews" remained in his mind throughout the entire process of starting AEΠ. Both Adam and Jeff shared that initiative and it served to be the driving force behind the commitment and dedication displayed by the group.

After the initial meeting with Andy Borans, the group began to educate themselves in all things AEΠ, asking questions of Andy and other AEΠ members while actively participating in rushing new members. The process of trying to understand AEΠ and recruiting new members took a few months and finally, on April 4, 1999, that small group of eight men founded the Beta Chi (BX) Colony of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity at UBC. At that point, the guys knew that AEΠ was going to grow and prosper into a thriving and healthy fraternity.

The process of creating an official AEΠ chapter at the University of British Columbia was a slow and tedious process, but now that it has come to fruition we are looking forward to the many fun-filled years ahead.