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Sigma Lambda Beta
Latino-based collegiate fraternity in the United States, with a multi-cultural membership From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated (ΣΛΒ) (known as Betas, Lambda Betas or SLB) is a Latino-based fraternity with multicultural membership[1][2][3] founded in 1986 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.[3] The current head is the National Chairman Jason Smolka.[4]
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History
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Establishment
Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated, was founded at the University of Iowa on April 4, 1986, by Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal alongside 17 other men. Mendoza-Madrigal, a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, was inspired by the significant contributions of his fraternity to the African American community and recognized a similar need within the Latino community. With permission granted by the national board of Phi Beta Sigma, he was able to maintain his membership while establishing a new organization that aimed to serve and unify the Latino community.[5]
This process resulted in the creation of a fraternity that shared many ideological and procedural similarities with Phi Beta Sigma, reflecting their shared goals, ideals, and challenges. The founding meeting, held on March 7, 1986, at the Chicano Native American Cultural Center (now the Latino Native American Cultural Center), brought together diverse Latino students to discuss the feasibility of the new fraternity. The overwhelming support and collective enthusiasm at the meeting led to the formal establishment of the fraternity, with its ideology and philosophy solidified on its founding date. [6]
The creation of the F.I.R.M. Family
In 1990, at the fraternity's parent institution, Sigma Lambda Beta assisted the five "Founding Mothers" (known initially as the "Lambda Ladies") of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Incorporated in the establishment of their organization. Soon after the creation of the sorority, in the 1990s, members of Sigma Lambda Beta, along with Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and Sigma Lambda Gamma, formed the First Inter-Racially Mixed (F.I.R.M) Family network. A network created with the goal to embody a shared commitment to unity and mutual support across the four different Greek organizations.[7] Despite the aid they provided in their creation, Sigma Lambda Beta is not constitutionally bound to Sigma Lambda Gamma unlike Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta.
Withdrawal from NALFO and change in membership scope
In the 21st century, Sigma Lambda Beta's membership grew beyond its Hispanic-Latino origins. The organization eventually withdrew from the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) due to its increasingly multicultural membership and focus, which no longer aligned with the regulations required of NALFO's membership criteria. [8]
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Symbols
Sigma Lambda Beta's motto is "Opportunity for Wisdom, Wisdom for Culture". Its principles or pillars are Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, Cultural Awareness.
The fraternity's colors are royal purple and pure white. Its flower is the red carnation. Its mascot is the white stallion mustang. Its publication is El Iluminador.
Chapters
Sigma Lambda Beta has 142 chapters in 30 U.S. states.
Philanthropy
National Philanthropy: Víctor Correa CPR Awareness Day
The Víctor Correa CPR Awareness Day was created in honor of Victor "Ziggy" Correa Ortiz, a Sigma Lambda Beta member who drowned during an accident where none of the bystanders knew how to administer CPR. The fraternity encourages its members to host CPR training and awareness events.[9]
National events
BetaCon
BetaCon is a biennial convention held by Sigma Lambda Beta.[10]
Leadership Institute
Leadership Institute is a 3-day leadership conference held every other year (alternating with BetaCon) where collegiate brothers are taught how to enhance their leadership and organizational skills to better meet the mission of the fraternity.[11]
Education Foundation
In 2001, members of the fraternity formed the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc.'s Educational Foundation as a 501(c) tax-exempt organization. The money raised by the Sigma Lambda Beta Education Foundation is used mainly for the purpose of funding educational and leadership development programs for Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., as well as for scholarships that are made available to undergraduate and graduate student members.[12]
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Hazing allegations
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In March 2015, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta was temporarily suspended following allegations of hazing. According to the university, the fraternity’s international office received complaints, leading to an investigation by UNL police. The alleged hazing was reported to be non-physical, and no students were harmed or placed in immediate danger.[13] The university's Greek Affairs office and Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity conducted independent investigations into the matter, but no specific details regarding individuals or acts involved were made public.[14]
In 2019, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The chapter was suspended due to allegations of misconduct. The suspension halted all fraternity operations, including social events and academic programming, pending investigations by both the university and law enforcement authorities.[15]
In 2020, the Sigma Lambda Beta chapter at the University of California, Davis, was placed on revocation of registration until at least spring 2025 due to hazing-related incidents.[16]
In 2021, the fraternity's chapter at the University of Texas at Austin faced disciplinary action for hazing violations. New members were reportedly required to wear specific attire and blindfolds during activities, sing songs in unison before exiting rooms, and answer questions amidst loud music, leading to concerns about mental health threats. The university imposed conditional registration on the chapter from November 2021 through December 2022.[17]
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See also
References
External links
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