New frat starting colony phase

After three years of patience, Ram Sharma can look forward to fraternity-related events that will be hosted by the newly accepted Delta Lambda Phi in the fall.

Sharma is a senior majoring in micro and molecular biology, psychology and English. He had regularly attended the Delta Lambda Phi conferences in an attempt to be prepared for the day UCF would accept it into its Greek system.

Delta Lambda Phi, according to its website, is a "national social fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men." It is, however, not required that an individual be gay or bisexual in order to become a member of the fraternity. Any male may join.

From its website, the fraternity states that its mission is centered on being a nonprofit organization for social and recreational purposes. Founded in 1986, it is still a relatively young organization compared with many other university fraternities.

"We really have a lot to offer UCF, and we're a very philanthropic organization," Sharma said. "I've been to organizations with gay or progressive interests, but they just don't have the permanent feel that this has. I feel that other organizations are very transitory and fleeting."

Delta Lambda Phi is currently in a "colony" phase within the UCF Greek system, meaning that it is on its way to becoming a full fraternity.

The colony phase lasts for a year and a half, but can change depending on the behavior of the fraternity.

According to Sharma, "UCF is very stubborn with allowing new Greek societies on campus. We waited until UCF saw the necessity of having us on campus."

Tyler Teegardin, a junior art history major, has recently been acting as a leader of the organization at UCF.

"Delta Lambda Phi is a safe place," Teegardin said. "Any male can join, as long as they embody the ideals of the organization. The only difference between Delta Lambda Phi and a traditional fraternity is that we have a majority of gay members. That doesn't mean we can't have straight, transgendered or other individuals.

"We don't look at that, we look at how good of a candidate they are as a person."
Christopher Miofsky, a graduate of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, is the director of outreach for the fraternity.

"I think it's a very positive development and we're all very excited," Miofsky said. "UCF has a very stable and established Greek system, so one of the things we like to do is become involved. We find that we thrive in these kinds of areas."

Delta Lambda Phi, Miofsky said, is a very small and close-knit organization that provides easy access to administration for its members.

"If I wanted, I could call the executive director and have a conversation with him," Miofsky said. "I really like the small intimacy of the organization."

Like Miofsky, all officers, with the exception of the executive director, are volunteers.

"All of our money has to come from our members and fundraisers at UCF," Teegardin said.

"Our biggest problem is going to be staying fiscally afloat, but I definitely think we can overcome that."

He added: "I want to see us flourish and become another huge organization. I want people to say that they want to join Delta Lambda Phi.

"For one of the largest schools in the country to accept such a progressive organization is a huge step forward. It's making UCF a very accepting and progressive university. Some other universities aren't really keeping up with the times.

"We want to make our presence known."