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Sigma Lambda Beta

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Sigma Lambda Beta
ΣΛΒ
The official crest of Sigma Lambda Beta.
FoundedApril 4, 1986; 38 years ago (1986-04-04)
University of Iowa
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
Former affiliationCNHL
NALFO
NIC
StatusActive
EmphasisService
ScopeInternational
MottoOpportunity for Wisdom,
Wisdom for Culture.
PillarsBrotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, Cultural Awareness
Colors  Royal Purple
  Pure White
FlowerRed carnation
MascotWhite Stallion Mustang
PublicationEl Iluminador
PhilanthropyVictor Correa CPR Awareness Day
Chapters141 Established Undergraduate chapters,
9 Associate chapters,
36 Alumni Networks
NicknameBetas, Lambda Betas, SLB
Headquarters7 Hawkeye Dr.
Suite 103-104
North Liberty, Iowa 52317
United States
Websitewww.sigmalambdabeta.com

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]

History

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Establishment

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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, Incorporated, 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

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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

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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]

Symbols

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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

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Main article: List of Sigma Lambda Beta chapters

Sigma Lambda Beta has 142 chapters in 30 U.S. states.

Philanthropy

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National Philanthropy: Víctor Correa CPR Awareness Day

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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

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BetaCon

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BetaCon is a biennial convention held by Sigma Lambda Beta.[10]

Leadership Institute

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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

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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]

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]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. - A MESSAGE FROM OUR NATIONAL CHAIRMAN". Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  2. ^ "Sigma Lambda Beta Scorecard". www.lsu.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  3. ^ a b "Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. – Multicultural Greek Council WSU". Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  4. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2024-05-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "How A Member Of Phi Beta Sigma Became The Founding Father Of Latino-Based Sigma Lambda Beta". July 20, 2017. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  6. ^ "History | Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc". Sigma Lambda Beta. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  7. ^ "F.I.R.M Fam - The Theta Rho Chapter Of ΦΒΣ". web.archive.org. February 11, 2025. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  8. ^ "History | Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc". Sigma Lambda Beta. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  9. ^ Fund, SLB Omega (2020-11-15). "Victor Correa-Ortiz CPR Awareness Day". Sigma Lamba Beta Ome. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
  10. ^ "Betacon". Sigma Lambda Beta. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  11. ^ "Leadership Institute". Sigma Lambda Beta. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  12. ^ "SLB Education Foundation". slbfoundation.com. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  13. ^ "Sigma Lambda Beta under hazing investigation". The Daily Nebraskan. March 13, 2015.
  14. ^ "UNL fraternity temporarily suspended for alleged hazing incident". KETV. March 13, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "UNK fraternity Sigma Lambda Beta suspended". February 27, 2019.
  16. ^ "Organizational Conduct | CSI". Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Hazing Violations | Hazing Prevention and Response". hazing.utexas.edu.
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