HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO LA FRATERNIDAD.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO LA FRATERNIDAD. 1975 to 2006

Banquet Weekend Agenda

Happy Thanksgiving

Brothers,
On behalf of the National Executive Board, we wish you and your family a joyful and the bountiful blessings of the season. As we enjoy the company of friends and family over a sumptuous meal and warm camaraderie, let us remember all the young men and women who serve in peril to guard and protect our freedom. Have a happy and safe holiday, and look forward to seeing you at the 2006 National Banquet.

Fraternally,

National Executive Board
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
Website: http://Lambda1975. org

Consider the following facts . . . then count your blessings: (Author: Anonymous)
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep . . . you are richer than 75% of people in this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace . . . you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness . . . you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation . . . you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church or other places of worship without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death . . . you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful . . . you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

31st Annual Banquet: LIMITED TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE

The National 31st Annual Awards Banquet is approaching fast! Be apart of Lambda History as this will be the last Banquet of its kind in New Jersey.

LIMITED TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE $85 & ARE GOING FAST!

Purchase your tickets today: http://www.lambda1975.org/banquetpayment.htm
See you at the 31st National Awards Banquet.
HOTEL/AIRPORT INFORMATION visit http://www.lambda1975.org/

Tentative Schedule:
Friday, December 1st
Kean UniversityCandle ceremony @ 7pm
Dinner for all brothers
Guest Speaker Fraternal Father Jose Quiles, followed by a video presentation by Fraternal Father Cayetano Socarras. Introduction of the Jose Quiles Scholarship

Saturday, December 2nd
Breakfast for all brothers @ 9:30am
History Workshop presented by Special Guests
Lunch @ 12pm
NJ Statewide Interest Meeting 1pm

Banquet
Cocktail Hour 7pm
Reception 8pm

On behalf of the National Executive Board, we look forward to an exciting event and celebrating 31 years of rich history. Hope to see you there!

Lambda News Blog 2.0

This is Lambda Theta Phi, and we like to keep things moving forward, therefore, the new Lambda Alumni News Blog is now going 2.0, check out the re-designed Lambda Alumni News Blog.

National 31st Annual Awards Banquet is approaching fast. Be apart of Lambda History.

The National Executive Board decided to extend the current ticket price of $75 to November 15th. ONLY 1 MORE DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS AT $75, afterwards $85. Sale ends 11/15/2006.

Purchase your tickets today: http://www.lambda1975.org/banquetpayment.htm
See you at the 31st National Awards Banquet.
HOTEL/AIRPORT INFORMATION visit http://www.lambda1975.org/

Tentative Schedule:
Friday, December 1st
*Kean University Candle Ceremony @ 7pm
*Dinner for all brothers, Guest Speaker Fraternal Father Jose Quiles, followed by a video presentation by Fraternal Father Cayetano Socarras.
*Introduction of the Jose Quiles Scholarship

Saturday, December 2nd
*Breakfast for all brothers @ 9:30am
*History Workshop presented by Special Guests
*Lunch @ 12pm
*NJ Statewide Interest Meeting 1pm
*Banquet
*Cocktail Hour 7pm
*Reception 8pm

Fraternally,
Anthony J. Pérez, National Director of Communications
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Article: In going Greek, Hispanic students embrace their roots

Clad in shirts that displayed their fraternity letters, the young men filed into an empty classroom to assemble boxes for their annual clothing drive.

As other frat brothers arrived, the men greeted them with a hearty embrace and their secret handshake.

But this wasn't just another fraternity at Montclair State University. It was la fraternidad Lambda Theta Phi, one of dozens of Hispanic Greek organizations in the country.

As the number of Hispanics in higher education has risen over the years, so has the number of students who turn to an age-old college staple -- fraternities and sororities -- but ones that embrace their ethnic roots.

"I looked at the different organizations on campus," said Johnathan Gaugler, a Paterson resident who attends Montclair State University. "I wasn't interested in joining a Greek organization that was mostly social -- a lot of parties, drinking. I liked Lambda Theta Phi because it focused on culture and academics. I felt like I could relate to them more."

The membership numbers of many Hispanic fraternities and sororities are minuscule compared with mainstream Greek organizations. The Hispanic fraternities claim as few as 30 students. Many have only a handful of members at any one time; every now and then, some have even had only one member, if that.

A few reasons are that college attendance rates among Hispanics are low, many Hispanics commute to college from home -- not leaving much opportunity for participating in campus activities -- and Hispanic Greek groups often lack the resources of mainstream organizations.

But their individual membership numbers belie the growth that Hispanic fraternal organizations have seen in just the last decade. More than 30,000 people are members of Hispanic fraternities and sororities, triple the number of the early 1990s, according to the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.

Gus Garcia, a founding member of Lambda Theta Phi, the nation's first recognized Hispanic fraternity, recalled how daring it actually was to start the organization at Kean College in 1975.

"The guys would play dominoes, and people would look strangely at us," said Garcia, today a successful businessman in Florida. "There was a lot of tension between blacks and whites at the time at the college, and white fraternity members would ask the lighter-skinned Hispanics what side they were on, and African-Americans asked the darker-skinned Hispanics what side they were on.

"I would just answer, 'We're on our side.' "

But in essence, Garcia said, Hispanics really had few fraternity and sorority choices.

"Some joined black fraternities, " he said, "White fraternities weren't really after us; they weren't making any real effort to include us, to recruit us. So Latin students just sat there, without being Greek."

The birth of Lambda Theta Phi, Garcia said, "was a rejection of a 90-year-old Greek structure that was black and white, but didn't have room for others."

'I felt out of place'

Many Hispanic Greeks credit their organizations with making a difference in their decision to attend college.

Alex Lopez, a sophomore from Passaic who is majoring in athletic training, remembers sitting in a classroom at Montclair State and -- for the first time ever -- finding he was the only minority.

"I felt weird being around all white people," Lopez said. "I felt out of place. I grew up around minorities, went to school with them, I never felt different."

That feeling of alienation is one of the factors, experts say, in the low numbers of Hispanics who attend -- and stay in -- college. A 2004 study by the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C., found that Hispanic undergraduates are half as likely as white undergraduates to attain a bachelor's degree.

"I can honestly say that I wouldn't have stayed in college if I hadn't joined a Hispanic fraternity," said Jose Acosta, a Montclair State alumnus, recalling the racism he felt at Rowan University when he first arrived at the college. "I felt culture shock. The fraternity taught me social responsibility, how to run an organization, the importance of changing my priorities, of giving back to the community that raised you. It made me stronger."

Many Hispanic Greek organizations take an almost parental role in seeing that their members do well academically and learn to navigate the college system.

In fact, unlike most other Greek organizations, some Hispanic fraternities and sororities do not admit members just beginning their freshman year out of concern that it is an overwhelming time in a college student's life -- one with enough new distractions already.

"A lot of us are the first in our families to go to college," Lopez said. "So it helps to have older brothers, like alumni, talk to us about how to succeed here and make it all the way through college and graduate."

That said, Hispanic fraternities and sororities are not for every Hispanic student.

While Johnathan Gaugler is immersed in his fraternity and its cultural feel, his twin brother, Anthony, said he is perfectly comfortable at a more rural, predominantly white campus in Connecticut.

"I am proud of my heritage," said Anthony Gaugler, who is majoring in psychology. "I speak the language, I like the music, I'm a Latino at heart."

"But I don't approve of labels, of being put in a category because you're this or that group," Gaugler said. "I like being with people who are different from me because I feel an obligation to educate those who are familiar with my culture, so they don't go on perpetuating the same beliefs."

By ELIZABETH LLORENTE
STAFF WRITER

Monday, November 13, 2006

Alleged 'vigilantes' target Latino voters in Tucson

Alleged 'vigilantes' target Latino voters in Tucson

Yvonne Wingett
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 7, 2006 06:09 PM

Latino voters casting ballots at a south Tucson church on Tuesday were approached by "vigilantes," said the national Hispanic advocacy group, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Diego Bernal (Founding Brother-Alpha Omicron Chapter-Univ. of Michigan), a staff attorney with the organization, was with volunteers at the 49th precinct polling place to answer voters' questions about identity requirements. Reached by cell phone, Bernal said he witnessed three men stop only Latino voters as they entered and exited the polls. Voters were approached by one man carrying a camcorder, one holding a clipboard, and one a holstered gun.

"As one man was going up to the voter with the clipboard, another man was videotaping the interaction,"Bernal said. "At the same time, the third man was walking around with a gun on his waist. They were being provocative. They would have conversations with each other, where they were using mock Spanish accents. It was upsetting."

Tucsonan Russell Dove, an anti-illegal immigration advocate, acknowledged that he and two others were at the 49th precinct. He said he was asking voters to sign a petition to protest that election material is printed in Spanish. The two men that accompanied him were there to record his interactions with people "because there's always a potential for a fight wherever I go." Dove is the editor of the online periodical, "Truth in Action,".

Dove is a vocal activist. In April, he burned a Mexican flag in front of the Mexican Consulate to protest illegal immigration.

Dove, 50, said he went to six or seven precincts in search of signatures. He said he did not intimidate anyone.

"I was taking photos of all voters of all precincts," he said. "Why? Because I can, and because they were there. All the pictures will be compiled and run against a database, and if we find anyone who is illegal, we will do everything within our lawful right to find and expose them."

Menéndez Wins the New Jersey Senate Race

Menéndez Wins the New Jersey Senate Race

For immediate release

NEW JERSEY, November 8, 2006 - In the state where Lambda Theta Phi, the first nationally recognized Latino fraternity in the country, was founded one member garnished decisive political victory in New Jersey . Brother Robert Menéndez came out winning in the NJ United States Senate race.

Robert Menéndez, who joined the fraternity in 1985, began his political career in Union City , NJ , as mayor and state legislator before going to Congress. Brother Menéndez served in New Jersey 's 13th Congressional District, a post he held for more than 10 years. He served, as the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, was the 3rd-ranking Democrat in the U.S. House, and the highest ranking Latino in Congressional history. Menéndez served in Congress from January 3, 1993, to January 17, 2006, when he resigned to become a U.S. Senator; appointed to the United States Senate to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Jon S. Corzine, and took the oath of office on January 18, 2006. Since his Union City days, Menéndez has enjoyed the enthusiastic support Lambda Theta Phi brothers and, as he noted during the Fraternity's 2005 National Awards Banquet, remains committed to supporting the Fraternity and its mission.

Although Lambda Theta Phi is a nonpartisan organization, it has a rich history of political activism and encourages its brothers to participate in the political process to the fullest. The members of Lambda Theta Phi wish Brother Robert Menéndez much success in the Senate.

Founded in 1975 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. is the first national recognized Greek-letter organization founded as a Latin Fraternity. The membership of Lambda Theta Phi is open to all college men who support is values of scholarship, respect for all culture, community service, and the advancement and fair treatment of Latinos. Lambda Theta Phi was the first Latin Fraternity to be recognized by the North-America Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and today, has over 90 Chapters and Colonies in, Arizona , California , Connecticut , Delaware , Florida , Illinois , Maryland , Michigan , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , Pennsylvania , Tennessee , Texas , Virginia , West Virginia , and Wisconsin . More information about Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. can be found on www.Lambda1975. org.

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Lambda Theta Phi, 31st Anniversary Banquet

Lambda Theta Phi, the country’s oldest and nationwide Latino fraternity, has finalized its plans to celebrate its 31st anniversary on Saturday, December 2nd, 2006, Milian's Banquet Hall in Garfield, New Jersey.

The organization’s National Board of Directors, regional officers, alumni and undergraduate members, representing various professions and academic pursuits, along with family and friends will be present to both celebrate and reflect on the many accomplishments of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity. There will be attendees from many regions of the nation including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Location: Milan's Banquets
33 Passaic Street, Garfield, New Jersey
http://www.milanbanquet.com/

Time: 7:00pm - 12:00am
Price: $65 until October 2nd, 2006
$75 from October 3rd -November 10th, 2006
$85 from November 11th-28th, 2006

Payment: Lambda Theta Phi-Banquet Payment Center

Lambda Theta Phi Foundation Sponsors Latino Voter Project

P R E S S R E L E A S E
For immediate release
November 3, 2006
1-877-FND-1975

Lambda Theta Phi Foundation Sponsors Latino Voter Project

Miami, FL – Lambda Theta Phi National Foundation announced the formation of its legal assistance team for the upcoming New Jersey General Elections. The team will assist in securing voting rights for all Latino voters and will consist of attorneys, Kendall Coffey, former US Attorney for South Florida , along with Luis Fernandez, Joseph S. Geller, Benedict Kuehne, Richard Porras, and Adam Subervi. Other attorneys maybe added as needs arise.

The project was initiated during the summer with a voter registration drive and absentee voter assistance program on college campuses and communities throughout the nation, which resulted in the several thousands of new voters. The Foundation also sponsored student training seminars on college campuses that taught cross-cultural campaigning and organizational skills.

"Lambda Theta Phi Foundation is educating Latino college and university students as well as the community about their rights and duties as American citizens and providing the means to actively participate in the exercise of democracy. We’ve experienced remarkable results in communities through the actions of the students,” said Foundation Chairman Agustin “Gus” Garcia. “We thank SBS, their staff, DJs and radio talk hosts for all of their assistance, especially Mega and Amor of New York City with this most valuable program during the past several months.”

Garcia went on to point out that the program goes beyond the usual election-session media blitzes about candidates and campaigns and actually educates to voter to be able to make intelligent choices based on a true understanding of the issues and process.

For any problems with Latino voting rights in New Jersey , please contact the Foundation at www.Foundation1975.com or call 1-877-FND-1975 (1-877-363-1975).

Agustin "Gus" Garcia
National Chairman, Lambda Theta Phi Foundation
Penthouse2850 Douglas Road, Coral Gables, Fl. 33134
Tel. 305-859-7741

Article: Beta Sigma Chapter: Quad protest targets racial stereotyping

Quad protest targets racial stereotyping
Group lambasts ZBT, Tri Delts, hopes to get University's attention
Susan KantorPosted: 11/1/06

With signs reading "The fight is far from over" and "My culture is not a costume," hundreds of students filled the Quad side of the Illini Union this afternoon for a rally entitled "Breaking the Silence."

The rally was organized by Students Transforming Oppression and Privilege (STOP). The purpose was to get the University administration's attention regarding racist actions across campus that were exemplified in the Oct. 5 exchange between the Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity unofficially dubbed "Tacos and Tequila."

"We are not attacking the Tri Delts or ZBT," said Wendy Marie Finley, member of STOP and junior in LAS. "We are attacking the system. We are just using them as an example."

Students spoke against the racist actions during the rally on the Quad before students walked to both the Tri Delta and ZBT houses chanting phrases such as "hey hey, ho ho, racism has got to go."

Tri Delta and ZBT representatives declined to comment.

"We have had enough," said Osvaldo Torres, sophomore in LAS and member of Lambda Theta Phi, a United Greek Council Latin fraternity, the Mexican Student Association. "We will no longer be disrespected on this campus. Our cultures will no longer be mocked. We will no longer be made fun of. We will no longer be told that we don't deserve to be here. And it all starts with one step. And that is unifying ourselves."

The rally ended at the Swanlund Administration Building, 601 E. John St., where a statement by Chancellor Herman was read by Renee Romano, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "

The controversy has spurred a great deal of conversation about treating one another with common decency, and that is good," Herman said in his statement. "The process of reviewing the incident is now underway, and I believe a deeper appreciation of our cultural diversity and individual responsibility will be the result."

After Romano read the statement, some students asked why the administration did not speak on the Quad, what is going to be done to ensure minority students have a safe environment, why nothing was done last year when a "ghetto"-themed party occurred and what would have been the response if a multi-cultural Greek organization held a party of a similar nature.

"I want to assure you that we are listening, we care, and this incident does not reflect the University's values," Romano said. "We are working through our system. It's not happening quickly and many of you are not aware of what is going on."

Romano also said there are plans including diversity education for all first-year students and the administration is working hard to get these classes implemented by next fall.

Lisa Moore, assistant dean of students, said the University has not sanctioned Tri Delta or ZBT because the Board of Fraternity Affairs and the Board of Sorority Affairs was given the power to discipline when chapters violate policy.

"Everything ZBT and Tri Delta have done are self-imposed sanctions," Moore said.

Moore also said that although the event was unacceptable, there were no code violations in the student code. She said they will have to see when the hearing is scheduled.

Nora Garcia, member of Lambda Pi Upsilon, a United Greek Council sorority, and senior in LAS, said she was upset that ZBT and Tri Delta did not think it would be a racial stereotype. She said that the administration needs to be aware that the minority student population is fed up and does not plan to let these actions go unnoticed.

"It is time for a change," Torres said. "It is time for us to step back, to put our egos aside, to put our organizations behind us, to put our letters behind us, to step up together to unify ourselves and to stand up as one voice to speak out at this university."

© Copyright 2006 The Daily Illini
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