| Sigma Lambda Beta | |
| Letters: | Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΣΛΒ |
| Motto: | Opportunity for Wisdom, Wisdom for Culture. |
| Pillars: | Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, Cultural Awareness |
| Crest: | SigmaLambdaBetaShield.jpg |
| Alt: | The official crest of Sigma Lambda Beta. |
| Birthplace: | University of Iowa |
| Status: | Active |
| Type: | Social |
| Scope: | International |
| Emphasis: | Service |
| Affiliation: | NIC |
| Former Affiliation: | NALFO |
| Philanthropy: | Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day |
| Chapters: | 141 Established Undergraduate chapters, 9 Associate chapters, 36 Alumni Networks |
| Nickname: | Betas, Lambda Betas, SLB |
| Colors: | Royal Purple Pure White |
| Flower: | Red carnation |
| Publication: | El Iluminador |
| Mascot: | White Stallion Mustang |
| Free Label: | Principles |
| Address: | 7 Hawkeye Dr. Suite 103-104 |
| City: | North Liberty |
| State: | Iowa |
| Zip Code: | 52317 |
| Country: | United States |
Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΣΛΒ) (known as Betas, Lambda Betas or SLB) is a Latino fraternity founded in 1986 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.[1] The current head is the National Chairman Steve Galvan.[2]
In 1985, the University of Iowa recognized the need for a Latino-based fraternity. Following a meeting in March 1986, Sigma Lambda Beta was established on April 4, 1986. [3]
Over the next 30 years, 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 the growing regulatory nature of NALFO's membership criteria. [4]
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 Spanish; Castilian: El Iluminador.
See main article: List of Sigma Lambda Beta chapters. Sigma Lambda Beta has 142 chapters in 30 U.S. states.
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.[5]
BetaCon is a biennial convention held by Sigma Lambda Beta.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] 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.[10]
In a separate incident 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.[11]