Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity made a step toward becoming a full-fledged member of NIU’s greek life Tuesday night.

The Interfraternity Council, which governs NIU’s fraternities, voted to accept Sigma Lambda Beta as a colony member of IFC, said IFC Vice President Les Meuret.

As a colony, Sigma Lambda Beta will have all IFC privileges except voting, which it hopes to get after the spring semester, he said. It was recognized as an interest group on Sept. 17, 1989, said the fraternity’s Vice President Michael Devaldivielso.

“We feel like we finally made a major step towards being where we want to be,” Devaldivielso said of his fraternity. Sigma Lambda Beta, which was started in 1986 as a minority-based fraternity, now is on 15 Midwestern campuses, he said.

The IFC voted to waive the membership requirements, since Sigma Lambda Beta, as a minority fraternity, is limited in its numbers, Meuret said. Colonies are usually required to have half the average number of members of other IFC houses.

Currently, the IFC colony minimum membership is 43. Sigma Lambda Beta has 21 members.

“They’re enthusiastic,” Meuret said. “We’re pleased with the way they are going about things.”

Sigma Lambda Beta, located at 824 Greenbrier, will hold formal Rush in the spring, Devaldivielso said.