Latino-founded fraternity awaiting chapter status

"We've been low key for a while, but now we want to be recognized and become involved in the Greek community," said Robert Villanueva, a senior majoring in English education. "We want to make a name for ourselves."

Robert and his brother, Israel Villanueva, a communication sophomore, are two of nine active members of the Latino-founded fraternity's official colony.

Robert Villanueva said Sigma Lambda Beta's colony at the University of Arizona was founded in October 1995 and the fraternity earned official colony status March 29.

Colony status defines the fraternity as a chapter in the making.

The fraternity is now working to attain chapter status within the national organization, Robert Villanueva said.

The nine active members and one alumni member will have to wait six months from the date of receiving colony status before applying to receive chapter status.

"We have to demonstrate that we are worthy of being a chapter," Robert Villanueva said.

The first chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta was founded at the University of Iowa in 1989. With 29 official chapters worldwide and 10 colonies working toward chapter status, Sigma Lambda Beta is the largest international Latino-founded fraternity, Israel Villanueva said. He said two alumni chapters also operate in the United States.

One of the fraternity's strongest supporters is Kendal Washington White, coordinator for minority student services.

When the fraternity was founded, Washington White began serving as the fraternity's adviser at the request of Robert Villanueva, who has worked in her office for three and a half years.

"It has been amazing. The guys have been committed and learned a lot about getting this fraternity off the ground," Washington White said. "They have accomplished a lot of work in a short amount of time."

Although their fraternity is Latino founded, the Villanueva brothers said membership is not based on ethnicity or cultural background. They explained that membership is granted based on a candidate's academic dedication and willingness to contribute to the community.

"The guys are hoping to offer a different opportunity to students on campus, regardless of their background," Washington White said.

Robert Villanueva said the goals of the fraternity are dedication to educational achievements and contributions to the community.

Since its founding at the UA, the colony has aided in community service projects as Habitat for Humanity and mentoring programs in area schools, like Tucson Magnet High School, Robert Villanueva said.

He said that all along, the members have considered themselves a fully functioning fraternity, even without the official title.

Sigma Lambda Beta is a social fraternity, however Israel said the members stress the importance of service. The fraternity is hoping to break away from the stereotypes of the UA Greek community, he added.

"They have done a lot to make themselves different from the rest," Washington White said. "An example of that is that they picked me, an African American female, to be their adviser when they are a Latino-founded fraternity. It took guts for them to go against the norm."

Because the fraternity is not required to fill a membership quota to become a chapter, Israel Villanueva said it can seek members based on quality rather than quantity.

This year, the UA Hispanic Alumni foundation allowed the fraternity to use a renovated house, El Centro Cultural de las Americas, located in the downtown historical area.

The fraternity members use the house for meetings and small gatherings, Washington White said.