The Interfraternity Council (IFC) approved recognizing a fraternity for gay and progressive men Tuesday, which members hope will usher in a new era of collaboration between greeks and LGBT students.
IFC President Max Wendkos said the Delta Lambda Phi colony easily earned the minimum 2/3 of the chapter presidents' approval required for recognition.
"It is always beneficial to welcome new and diverse viewpoints into any group," Wendkos said. "We are excited for the opportunity that Delta Lambda Phi presents for the IFC to strengthen its relationship with the LGBTA community."
Penn State's Delta Lambda Phi chapter closed due to lack of membership in 2002, but students re-colonized last year in an effort to bring the national fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men back to campus.
Delta Lambda Phi Vice President Brian Mateo said the colony's members felt inclusion within the IFC was the best avenue to increase the LGBT community's visibility.
"We wanted to just make our presence known and felt that within IFC that that was the best way," Mateo (graduate-student affairs) said.
Currently, the colony has 29 members, 11 pledges and will officially become a chapter in the fall, Mateo said.
"In my own perfect vision, I think there will be better collaboration within the LGBT community and the IFC," he said. "I hope to see people who are more open-minded."
Delta Lambda Phi President Brendon Wall said the group was "cautiously optimistic" going into Tuesday's meeting.
"Max Wendkos was very helpful, and as we were leaving, we received many congratulatory remarks," Wall (junior-energy, business and finance) said. "It was good to see."
Wall said Delta Lambda Phi members are glad to see their six-month-long pursuit for IFC recognition come to a successful end.
"We really feel like being in the IFC would allow us to be included more in events like Homecoming and THON," Wall said.
