Membership

Membership in the Fraternity shall be open to men regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status or disability. These elements shall not factor into member selection or bidding criteria.

As the largest Asian-interest fraternity in the world, the brothers of Lambda Phi Epsilon are granted unique opportunities during both their college years and in their future career endeavors. It has become a professionally structured and highly regarded networking channel. Productive young leaders and entrepreneurs of this generation are groomed from the fraternity’s programs, cultivating a perpetually strong alumni base. The close attention to its members makes Lambda Phi Epsilon the fastest rising influence in the Asian community. Lambda Phi Epsilon has become one of the most sought-after organizations due to growing demand for fraternal Asian representation on university campuses. As the fraternity continues to grow, it has made a commitment to maintain its integrity and standards that have come to be recognized worldwide.

Lambda Phi Epsilon is committed to achieving the following goals when looking to expand:

• Promote academic achievement

• Perpetuate brotherhood

• Produce leaders of tomorrow

• Increase Asian awareness

• Encourage social interaction

• Provide philanthropic aid to the community and university

Thank you for your interest in opening a Chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon on your Campus! Membership in Lambda Phi Epsilon is a noble endeavor, and we look forward to working with you as you pursue recognition from both the Lambda Phi Epsilon Board of Directors and your campus community.

Expectations

The Board of Directors (the governing body) and the International Board (the officers and staff of the Fraternity) have certain expectations that perspective chapters must meet at various stages in order to be recognized by the Fraternity. They are listed here.

• In order to be granted bids and a charter, an Interest Group must have at least 12 men.
• The Charter Members (the founding fathers of a chapter) must all attend the first International Convention after being given bids.
• The Chapter President, or another chapter officer if the President is unavailable, must attend President’s Orientation over MLK Day weekend each year.
• Every chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon is expected to join a Greek council on your campus and to abide by all host institution policies and expansion processes. Lambda Phi Epsilon does not operate underground/unrecognized chapters.
• Charter Members must pay the chartering fee in full as set forth by the Board of Directors prior to their initiation.
• All members of Lambda Phi Epsilon are expected to abide by the Constitution, Code of Conduct and Policies of the Fraternity at all times.

Checklist

Below we outline a few important pieces of information. The following checklist and timeline follows a common expansion process, but changes to the order of these items may need to be made to accommodate the process that your campus uses for expansion.

In all but the most extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Directors will not recognize an Interest Group where support from the campus Fraternity and Sorority (F&S) office has not been given. LFE believes in being an honest collaborator with our campus partners, and we will not engage in the opening or support of unrecognized or underground chapters. Therefore, F&S office and council recognition is almost always a requirement for Board recognition.

Phase 1: Pre-LFE Recognition

In order for the Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity to invest resources in developing a potential chapter on your campus, we require you to complete the following tasks:

• Obtain support from a chapter advisor: an LFE alum who will guide and advise your interest group. This is separate from a campus advisor. Your Expansion Coordinator will help with this.
• Provide a list of all other Fraternities and Sororities on campus, listing their council membership. Also include, separately, any unrecognized Greeks operating in your campus community.
• Acquire a copy of the expansion policies for the council that your future chapter would seek to join.
• Obtain a letter from the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office indicating that the campus is open for expansion. If your campus does not have an F&S office, please contact your expansion representative at LFE for instructions.
  Send a formal request letter to the LFE Board of Directors requesting recognition as an LFE Interest Group.

Phase 2: Seeking Campus Recognition

• GPA verification must be provided in the form of a statement from the F&S office confirming that all individuals meet the institution’s minimum standard or have at least a 2.5 GPA. If the F&S office is unable to provide such a statement, copies of individual transcripts must be sent to the expansion coordinator.
• Schedule an expansion presentation with your F&S office.
• Coordinate with your expansion coordinator to develop expansion presentation.
• If permitted by campus rules, reach out to the presidents of other council-member Greeks to introduce yourselves and build relationships.
• Give expansion presentation to requisite council or campus group.

Phase 3: After Recognition Has Been Received

• Form as a Registered Student Organization on campus to be eligible for university funding for event programming, travel grants, and other student resources (this point contingent on campus policy).
• Find a campus advisor. Preferably a member of the faculty who is also a member of a Greek Letter Organization. Even if your campus does not require a campus advisor, we strongly encourage one.

Men of a certain caliber are required to become a founding member of a chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon. The organization has a proud tradition of excellence built upon the pillars of brotherhood, service, academics, leadership, and cultural awareness. Prospective founders have the opportunity to not only practice the principles of Lambda Phi Epsilon, but also to continuously mold and shape a potential chapter into the most distinctive and distinguished organization in its surrounding community. The legacy that is created will make an impact on future brothers long after graduation. If you are serious about bringing Lambda Phi Epsilon to your campus, please fill out our online expansion interest form.

We strive to make the fraternal experience a safer one. Members who are initiated into Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity voluntarily accept membership into an organization of men dedicated to the advancement of its mission, vision, and values so that future generations may enjoy it. That means that each of us—alumni advisor, house corporation member, Greek advisor, staff member, chapter president, or undergraduate member—is called upon to see that the conduct policies established here are adhered to and enforced. Without such a collective effort, the deeds of a few will erase the good work of the many.

Report an incident to notify the International Board of Lambda Phi Epsilon directly in relation to any potential violations of the university, state, federal, or local laws and regulations of any member or members of the organization. If you believe a member(s) has violated any of the above, please fill out the form and we will be in touch with you in order to obtain more details.

The possession, sale, use, or consumption of alcoholic beverages while on chapter premises, or during a fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or in any event an observer would associate with the fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city, institution of higher education, and must comply with either the BYOB or Third Party Vendor Guidelines.

No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through chapter funds nor may the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase or use of a bulk quantity of common sources of such alcoholic beverage, i.e., kegs, cases, cooler punch, etc. is prohibited.

Open parties, meaning those with unrestricted access by non-members of the fraternity without specific invitation, where alcohol is present, shall be prohibited. No Members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor (those under the legal drinking age).

The possession, sale or use of any illegal drugs or controlled substances while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event, or at any event that an observer would associate with the fraternity, is strictly prohibited.

No chapter may co-sponsor an event with a distributor of alcohol, charitable organization or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from alcohol) where alcohol is given away, sold, or otherwise provided to those present. No chapter may co-sponsor or co-finance a function where alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups, or organizations. All rush activities associated with any chapter will be dry rush functions. No member shall permit, tolerate, encourage or participate in drinking games.

No alcohol shall be present at any new member education activity or ritual of the chapter.

Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Inc. strictly prohibits hazing in any form as a term or condition of membership in the organization. No chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon is allowed to partake in any form of hazing of its prospective members. The Fraternal and Information Programming Group (FIPG) defines hazing as: “Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol, paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law.”

If you feel you are being hazed by a chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon, please message the Executive Director of the International Fraternity to resolve the situation as soon as possible.

Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity is committed to providing an environment free from sexual misconduct, including gender-based assault, harassment, exploitation, domestic violence, stalking, and discrimination.

When the Fraternity receives notice of allegations of sexual misconduct, the Executive Director shall have the authority to impose an interim suspension on any chapter or member alleged to be involved in a violation of any provisions of the Constitution or Code or any official directive for a period not to exceed fifty (50) days. This interim suspension can be extended upon a majority vote by the Board of Directors.

Reports can be received by the International Fraternity in the following channels:

• A report is received via the online reporting option: report@lambdaphiepsilon.org.

• A report is received by the Executive Director, International Board of Directors, other Fraternity leadership.

• Notification is given from the host institution of allegations, chapter leadership, or members.

Upon receiving notice of allegations of sexual misconduct, the Director of Fraternal Standards will execute the following standard operating procedures:

• Advise/coach any member receiving the allegations to report all known information to the Director of Fraternal Standards.

• In instances where allegations are reported informally within social media platforms, and the Fraternity is made aware of the allegations, if and when there is the ability to send a direct message to an alleged impacted party, the Fraternity will send a direct message to the party. The Fraternity will not address or respond to any allegations in any public forum.

• Upon receiving notice of the allegations, outreach to the alleged impacted party to outline reporting options. After ten (10) business days if a statement has not been received, an additional outreach will be made. Three attempts will be made in total to the alleged impacted party in an effort to collect a statement of allegations.

Final outreach to alleged impacted party:

• Respondent will be provided with Respondent Resources Related to Sexual Misconduct Allegations.

• Respondent will be requested to provide a statement, supporting information and any witness statements within ten (10) business days.

• A preliminary investigative report will be compiled with all statements and supporting information and will then be shared with the Respondent to review and provide a response/defense to the allegations within ten (10) business days, which will then be incorporated.

• The final investigative report will be compiled including the Respondent’s response to the allegations, investigative findings, rationale and any recommended sanctions for resolution and be provided to the International Standards Committee (ISC) for review and resolution.

• Following the review and resolution by the ISC, the Respondent will be notified of the outcome and any sanctions and the Reporting Party will be notified whether the Respondent was found responsible/not responsible.

All chapter houses should meet all local fire and health codes and standards.

All chapters should have posted by common phones emergency numbers for fire, police and ambulance and should have evacuation routes from chapter houses, common areas and sleeping rooms posted in said areas and on the back door of each sleeping room. All chapters should comply with engineering recommendations as reported by the insurance company.

The possession and/or use of firearms or explosive devices of any kind within the confines and premises of the chapter house is expressly forbidden.