Lambda Theta Phi

Lambda Theta Phi
ΛΘΦ
Founded	December 1, 1975 (1975-12-01) Kean College
Type	Social
Affiliation	NIC
Former affiliation	NALFO
Status	Active
Emphasis	Latino
Scope	National
Motto	Chivalry Above Self
Colors	Brotherhood Brown   Pure White
Symbol
Flower	White carnation
Philanthropy	Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Chapters	119 collegiate, 29 associate, 29 alumni
Nickname	Lambdas
Headquarters	181 New Road, Suite 304 Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 United States
Website	thelambdas.org

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. (ΛΘΦ) is a Latino non-profit social fraternity in the United States with 148 undergraduate chapters and 29 alumni associations.

It was founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean University (formerly known as Kean College) in Union, New Jersey. It was the first of several Latino fraternities to be established during the fuerza phase of the Latino collegiate Greek movement that defined much of the late 1970s and 1980s within the mainland United States. In 1992, Lambda Theta Phi was the first Latino Greek-lettered organization in the U.S. to join the North American Interfraternity Conference, which became the sole national umbrella conference of the fraternity after it rescinded its membership with the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations in 2014.

History

Formation and Early Years

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean College in Union, New Jersey by a group of ten men of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Ecuadorian descent. Alongside the support of brothers of the college's oldest local social fraternity (Sigma Theta Chi) and a local Veterans' fraternity. Prior to this, there were no Latin fraternities in the mainland United States at the undergraduate level with multiple active chapters. The Greek-letter organizations existing at the time primarily served Anglo and African-American demographics, with various Latin American focused organizations having long been dormant or in the process of becoming almost completely inactive at the undergraduate level. The founders of Lambda Theta Phi recognized a need to unite Latino students, nurture their leadership skills, emphasize the importance of education, and foster a commitment to community and culture. They saw the establishment of a fraternity as a means to achieve these goals, leading to the creation of Lambda Theta Phi, under the specific identity and name as a Latino fraternity. The creation of Lambda Theta Phi alongside fellow Kean College sorority Lambda Theta Alpha kickstarted the post-1975 wave of the Latino Greek Movement, which followed the "principio" (principle) phase kickstarted by student activism on college campuses in 1898.

1990s and 21st century

Lambda Theta Phi has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first Latin fraternity to join the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC) in 1992. Additionally, the fraternity published "The History of Lambda Theta Phi" in 1994, authored by Jesus A. Peña, Esq., which serves as an authoritative text on its history.

The Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Educational Foundation was established in 1998, aimed at awarding scholarships and grants for leadership and educational development. The fraternity also became a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) in 2004, though it discontinued its membership in 2014.

Chapters

The organization has 182 chapters made up of various undergraduate and alumni entities throughout the United States.

Main article: List of Lambda Theta Phi chapters

Notable members

• Robert "Bob" Menendez – Former U.S. Senator from New Jersey (Honorary Brother)

Hazing and misconduct controversies

In 2007, The fraternity was temporarily suspended from Cornell University following a hazing incident on February 23, where pledges were subjected to physical and psychological abuse. A pledge reported being violently removed from a group by fraternity members, resulting in damage to property and being placed in a dark room where he was slapped. Two individuals involved were charged with second-degree hazing and harassment; one pled guilty to harassment and was fined, while the other remains pending a court appearance. Pledges also reported being forced to maintain a vow of silence, endure strenuous physical exercises, and were denied adequate sleep. In response, Cornell University banned the involved individuals from campus and initiated a review by the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs office. The fraternity would once again be suspended at the college in 2018 for more incidents of alleged hazing.

In 2017, Lambda Theta Phi was suspended after allegations of underage drinking, hazing, and sexual assault surfaced at the University of Central Florida. Reports indicated that pledges were coerced into exhausting physical and mental exercises while being subjected to fraternity chants containing racial slurs and threats of violence. One member was accused of sexually assaulting an intoxicated individual at a fraternity after-party. The University of Central Florida conducted an investigation, leading to the fraternity's suspension from all campus activities.

For events in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023, the Phi chapter at University of Florida was investigated for hazing violations. Allegations included subjecting new members to food and sleep deprivation, forced alcohol consumption, forced calisthenics, and confinement to a specific location. The new members were reportedly required to wear uniforms, were prohibited from leaving or eating outside the location, and had to pay additional costs for this forced living arrangement. Members were also allegedly assigned numbers based on their height and referred to by their numbers rather than their names. The chapter was accused of continuing operations despite an Interim Suspension. As a result, the fraternity was suspended for five years, from Fall 2023 to Spring 2029, and its charter was revoked by its national organization.

In 2024, The fraternity's chapter at the University of Connecticut was suspended following the arrest of the former chapter president on charges related to hazing activities. The individual was accused of physically assaulting a pledge who failed to complete push-up exercises, leading the victim to quit the fraternity. A second arrest was made on similar charges against the same individual. The university emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward such behaviors and initiated an investigation into the incidents.

See also

• List of social fraternities and sororities

External links

• Lambda Theta Phi National Website