Alligator Online
By WILL PAFFORD
Most people are looking for a special someone this month -- Oscar Melendez is looking for four.
Melendez, 21, is the president and the only member of his fraternity, Lambda Alpha Upsilon, Incendiary Iota chapter.
Melendez's chapter was founded in 2001 and has had six members in its time at UF. Melende, the third year applied kinesiology and physiology major has been a member since fall 2004.
However, because the other brothers have either graduated or transferred schools, Melendez is the only one that remains.
Although this Latino fraternity has been small since its inception, the new minimum standards being implemented by the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs means it could be kicked off campus if Melendez doesn't induct four more members by the end of this semester.
Compared to many fraternities, Melendez's chapter has a clean past.
"We've never been alleged in hazing, we've never had problems with too low GPA and we haven't had alcohol problems," he said.
However, despite its admirable record, the Incendiary Iota chapter is facing a serious dilemma with the new minimum standards.
"We've always been small," Melendez said, "That I do not see as a problem; that's the way we are."
The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs does see it as a problem, though, and they are attemping to help Melendez achieve his membership requirements.
They are allowing him to hold events, put up flyers and promote his chapter.
"We met with his nationals, and his nationals made a plan to be implemented to get four new members -- a recruitment plan," said Lisa Kendall, the assistant director of the office. "We're trying to make sure he can do everything he can to remain on campus."
One key to recruitment is public awareness of the fraternity's existence through campus presence. It is often difficult for Melendez to get the community consciousness he needs with such a small membership and real help in the recruiting process.
"Seeing as I'm the only member, yeah, I've got some competition," he said.
Besides the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs, Melendez has received help from organizations such as the Hispanic Student Association and Lambda Theta Alpha, a Latino sorority.
Melendez's chapter has held many workshops and been a supporter of UF organizations in general.
"They have done a lot on campus," said Camille Quiles, the president of Lambda Theta Alpha. "They're a very hard-working organization."
Although Melendez must have a total of five members by the end of the Spring semester, his fraternity will most likely remain few in numbers.
"We are professional, and because we are small, we are family," Melendez said.