Fall 2008 Phiota! 1

History of theGreek System

Phi ChapterAnniversary

UNT Latino Heritage Month Alpha Eta Co-Host

La Gala Latina

PHIOTA!FALL 2008

www.phiota.org

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.49 East 41st StreetSuite 449New York, New York 10165

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F P H I I O TA A L P H A F R AT E R N I T Y, I N C .

Fall 2008 Phiota! 1

FROM THE DESK OF OUREXECUTIVE DIRECTORSaludos Mis Distinguidos HermanosFirst and foremost, I hope this letter reaches everyone and their family in the best of health and well being.

Over the past year we have seen many improve-ments within the brotherhood, however this is only the tip of the iceberg. As we continue to improve internal operations, strengthen our financial foun-dation, increase membership services, continue to expand and focus on community relationships, it should noted that there is still much work to be done to live up to the ideals of our pillars. These improvements will serve to better our brother-hood, improve the communities we serve and to continue to build on the greatness that is Fi Iota Alfa.

This magazine is such one of those improvements to our brotherhood. The magazine will serve as a communication medium to inform the brotherhood and our supporters of Fi Iota Alfa initiatives. It will be a testament to the ideals of our pillars, to the ideals that have kept Fi Iota Alfa alive and well for over 75 years as the oldest latino fraternity in existence.

Our members spread through many generations, many professions, many walks of life but as I am often remind by our brothers who were inducted over fifty years ago, all Fiota men are men of quality, man of professionalism and they are the latino leaders of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Contribute to this magazine; submit your articles so we may keep our brotherhood and the community aware of our happenings and our contribution to the Pan American ideal.

Semper un Fiota,Jason “Promesa” NicolauExecutive DirectorPhi Iota Alpha

The PHIOTA! is a quarterly professional magazine based on the ideals of the pillars of Fi Iota Alfa. It is the official publication of Phi iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the oldest existing latino fraternity, establish in December 26, 1931 at Troy, New York, with its roots beginning at 1898. All articles express the opinions of the authors, and not the fraternity, unless stated otherwise.

Phi iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 49 East 41st, Suite 449, New York, New York, 10165 www.phiota.org

National Management Jason NicolauExecutive Director Edwin BerroaDirector of Operations Omar LopezDirector of Marketing Jose PizarrosoDirector of Human Resources Francisco LugoDirector of Undergraduate Affairs

Alberto ElviraDirector of Information Technology

Phiota! MagazineSteven L. Garza Editor in Chief

ContentsPHIOTA! * FALL 2008

National Management Highlight

2

5

6

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2

8

COVER IMAGE:Taken by Ernie Martinez during the Music Ed Show at UNT.

Do you want to have an image taken by you as the next cover? Submit your image to editor@phiota.org

Midwest Province

Southern Province

Phiota Sports

-Phi Chapter Anniversary

-La Gala Latina-UNT: Latino Heritage Month

9 Union Foundation

Feature Article

4-History of the Greek System

Please send all letters,comments, and articles to:

editor@phiota.org

Deadline to submit for next issue: January 23, 2009

2 Phiota! Fall 2008 Fall 2008 Phiota! 3

The modern college Greek system is original to the United States. The elaborated and extensive Greek system we enjoy today evolved from the ideals of trust, honesty, integrity secrecy, and respect, of college students as they intended to united under several common guiding principles. The most prominent guiding principles: love for wisdom and fellowship have motivated college students to form ever-lasting bonds until. Since in the 18th century, all colleges were small and religiously oriented, the curricula centered on Greek and Latin. Although some colleges offered studies in the Natural Sciences, the Classics were the main components of most courses and the subjects of most social discussions. Electives courses or current issues did not constitute any part in higher education. The faculty preferred students mind more concerned with academics and religious entities rather than current or contemporary events. Student organizations, without faculty approval, were unacceptable and highly discouraged. This repressive and restrictive environment, induced students to form fraternal groups to address the needs not being met by their academic institutions. Hence, what we know as the fraternity, sorority or Greek letter organization was created. The first Greek letter society was formed when a student was denied admission into a William and Mary’s, at Williamsburg, Virginia, literary society. In those days, these literary societies were the only accepted form of student organizations. They were concerned with faculty approval and their events consisted of debate on literature, oratorical contests and some early forms of student government. These groups were named after Greek names such as Ciceronian, Caliophian, and Philopeuthon. One group, PDA, rejected a young superior Greek scholar named John Heath who then along with four friends, organized a society of their own, using Greek letters to name it Phi Beta Kappa. They met in secret in the Raleigh Tavern’s Apollo Room and formed challenges to keep out those who would report their meetings to the disapproving faculty. They honored three things: high moral ideas, scholastic achievement, and friendship of one brother with another. These qualities spread from college to college, with chapters of Phi Beta Kappa appearing at Yale in 1780 and Harvard University in 1781. While Phi Beta Kappa changed in the 1800’s to an academic honor society, they passed on the fraternal idea to students all over the country.

These new Greek letter organizations, who carried on the ideals of Phi Beta Kappa, started at Union College, Schenectady, New York, with the foundation of Kappa Alpha Society (1825) who enjoys the distinction of being the first Greek letter general college fraternity with continuous existence to date. Sigma Phi Society (1827) and Delta Phi Fraternity (1827), complemented the formation of the Union Triad, since all of these were founded at Union College. In the following years, fraternities spread and multiplied as groups were formed in secret to avoid the suspicion of the faculty. Sororities followed the path with their founding at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, George of the Adelphean Society in 1851. Most sororities remained local for more than 50 years before adopting a Greek name and expanding. The Civil War ended the early expansion but at the conclusion there was a increase in the number and type of students attending college. As a direct consequence many more fraternities and sororities were founded in the more accepting environment. In 1862, the Morrill Act, created land-grant colleges which also diversified the curriculum, adding agriculture, engineering and the sciences to the traditional classics, theology and liberal arts. Also, with the introduction of such an act, the faculty had to adjust to new ideas amongst the student body. As a result, social and fraternal organizations become more popular since students’ self-government was then permitted and encouraged. The Greek system expands rapidly but the original guiding principles remain consistent in the foundation of new organizations. However, from 1859 to 1899, another element is added to the Greek system-socialization. This period of growth and expansion extends to 1899 which marks the beginning of new era for Greek letter organizations. From 1900 to the present the Greek letter organizations developed into a well-structured institution. With few exceptions, the fraternities and sororities founded within this particular time frame, were influenced by the prejudice and discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, and political ideology. The first predominantly Black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha (1906), was founded at Cornell University, due to the denial of entrance of African-Americans into traditional college fraternities. As a result, several other “Black Greeks” organizations, were founded including: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (1911), at Indiana University, Omega Psi

The History of the Greek SystemΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩA

ΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥBy: Francisco P. Muñoz

Phi Fraternity (1911), Howard University, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (1914) Howard University. Similarly, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (1908) Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (1913) and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (1920) where founded at Howard University; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (1922) was founded at Butler University. World War I (1917) and the Great Depression (1929-48) decreased the membership in many Greek letter organizations nationally. Many chapters enlisted together and many fraternity houses were used by the government as military housing. There were also a lot of disappearing of chapters as the enrollment in higher education was drastically reduced. However, despite the hard times the United States faced, two large Latin American fraternities, Sigma Iota Fraternity (1904) Louisiana State University and Phi Lambda Alpha Fraternity (1919), University of Southern California, managed to merge to form the first International Latin American fraternity, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity (1931) Troy, New York. The growth of the college system after World War II (1945) would fundamentally change the Greek system. Many students, matured by the hardships of economic turbulence, became more serious about their studies, more intolerant of juvenile hazing rituals, and more interested in social change. Indeed, the increase of students of color, first generation students (children of immigrants) and women were significant factors in shaping the Greek system. In addition, a larger, more impersonal university environment had developed that increased the need for the personal contact and relationships of a small group. During the 1950’s the Greek system went through a process of evolution which definitely changed the college fraternity to a more social group. However, such change would not last long since the next decade proved to be detrimental to a large portion of the Greek system. During the 1960’s, the United States witnessed many trends of radical social movements which ultimately changed the frame of mind of college students. In addition, several other social changes negatively affected the Greek system. The “ME” generation, the emphasis and focusing of the individual as the center of society, bred a strong sense of “anti-institutionalization” or “anti-establishment” which include a sentiment of “anti-Greek.” The Vietnam War reduced the enrollment of college students, thus decreasing the interest in the Greek system. The Civil Rights Movement also proved to be more important than joining a greek-letter organization for many college students. Consequently, many fraternities and sororities disappeared due to low membership and low popularity of the Greek system. The 1970’s became the years of reconstruction for many organizations, since membership

in fraternities and sororities diminished dramatically to an all-time low. Conversely, the birth of other Latin American Greek letter organizations, Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity (1975) Kean College, New Jersey and Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority (1975) Kean College, New Jersey, began a new phase in the development of the “Latino Greeks.” In the 1980’s, following these two organizations, other fraternities and sororities formed to diversify the alternatives within the modern Greek system in colleges and universities: Lambda Sigma Upsilon Fraternity (1979) Rutgers University, New Jersey, Lambda Upsilon Lambda (1982) Cornell University, New York, Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity (1985) , New York, Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity (1986) Iowa State University, Iowa, Nu Kappa Alpha Fraternity (1988) Cal Poly, California, Omega Delta Phi (1990) Texas Tech University. The Latina sororities have developed in a similar fashion with many commonalities as the fraternities: Chi Upsilon Sigma Sorority (1981) Rutgers University, New Jersey, Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority, (1987) SUNY Binghamton, New York, Sigma Lambda Gamma (1989), University of Iowa, Iowa, Omega Phi Beta Sorority (1989) SUNY Albany, New York, and Sigma Iota Alpha Sorority (1990) SUNY Albany, New York. Since the early 1990’s, efforts amongst all of these organizations have been made to form the “Concilio National de Hermandades Latinas” (CNHL) was the first attempt to solidify the impact of “Latino Greeks” at the undergraduate and national levels. In 1998 the National Association Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) was establish, it was not till 2001 it merge with CNHL to form the only national umbrella organization for Latino fraternities and sororities, known today as NALFO. The 1980’s and 1990’s have seen changes in the Greek system as fraternities and sororities have faced different student issues: racism, the rising cost of education, multiculturalism, and political awareness. Many organizations have characterized these changes in the Greek system as a return to the basics, a return to the original guiding principles of the Greek system. Many Greek letter organizations are reaching back to their roots for moral and value based organization and guidance. In addition, fraternities and sororities have expanded their horizons, attempting to be active in change on campus, being involved in philanthropy, maintaining a close atmosphere for members, providing social events on campus, maintaining alumni involved, and fostering leadership. Today, the modern fraternities and sororities serve as training camps instilling a great sense of social responsibility and personal success, through professional and personal growth.

4 Phiota! Fall 2008 Fall 2008 Phiota! 5

Michigan State University................Lansing, MILewis University...............................Romeoville, IL

Midwest Province

The Phi chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity had the honor of celebrating their 9th year anniversary at Michigan State University the weekend of October 11, 2008. They hosted a successful Alumni Weekend which consisted of Phi Alumni flying in from around the nation to spend a great time with the undergrad and to revisit MSU. Brothers from Chi chapter, Lambda chapter, Alpha chapter, Psi chapter, Pace, Hofstra, Villanova, and more came out to support and partake in the festivities. The chapter work very hard to make this event happen. They celebrated that since their establishment at Michigan State University they have had a 100% graduation rate. They hosted a social networking event at X-cel lounge and they were also able to network during the tailgating at MSU. Phi chapter would like to thank every brother that came out and supported their weekend of events. They hope that every single attendee had a great time visiting their university and would like to invite you to come back for their 10 year anniversary next year.

Phi Chapter 9th Anniversary GalaBy: Miguel Torres

Noe “Inquieto” Favela became a brother in the spring of 2004 in Chi Colony at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Graduated from UIC in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, start working at LaSalle bank as a team lead in operations. In October of 2007 LaSalle Bank was acquired by Bank of America, Noe has been involved with the transition between both institutions. Noe now serves as an Operations Team Manager at Bank of America. He has taken on the role as Undergrad Finance Manager and will oversee collecting brother and chapter dues, and membership application fees.

Congratulations from the Phi Iota Alpha Family

Dennis and Catherine Camacho

~Just Married~8-8-2008

National Management Team Highlight:-Noe Favela

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Sou

ther

n P

rovi

nce

The University of North Texas Colony of Phi Iota Alpha celebrated Hispanic Heritage month by taking part in universities largest events, Carnaval! and the Annual Celebración Banquet. The UNT Phi Iota Alpha, also took first place while representing Bolivia and Argentina in Carnaval, an event which showcases cultural, political, and economical information on all 21 Latin American countries. Along with the success of Carnaval, the Annual Celebración Banquet was the largest Hispanic banquet ever held at UNT. The North Texas Phiotas

brought Will Richey, a popular Spoken Word artist who presented a lyrical piece that earned a standing ovation by the over 300 in attendance. Out of appreciation, the North Texas Phiotas awarded Director Cheylon Brown and Assistant Director Uyen Tran of North Texas’ Multicultural Center plaques for their support for the Hispanic student body. Will Richey was also given an award for his continued support of North Texas Phiotas and the Hispanic culture. luptationum

UNT: Latino Heritage MonthBy:Eduardo Quinones

Baylor University of

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Presents:

The 8th Annual Miss Phi I A

Scholarship Pageant

November 22, 2009Waco, TexasWaco Hall

University of North Texas.....................Denton, TXBaylor University..................................Waco, TXUniversity of Texas...............................Austin, TXUniversity of Texas at San Antonio......San Antonio, TXTexas A&M...........................................College Station, TXTexas State............................................San Marcos, TX

Southern Province

The Phi Iota Alpha Chapter at the University of Texas at San Antonio participated in variety of campus events for Latino Heritage Month. Brother Steven Garza help lead a new tradition for the University, the first annual “La Gala Latina”, on October 10. La Gala Latina is a formal event to celebrate the Latino heritage and the struggles the culture has overcome. The event was co-hosted by the Latino and Multicultural Greeks, as well other Latino organizations at UTSA. The organizations had the support of Ann Margaret Trujillo, Associate Director of the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center (ICEC), whom help sponsor the event. Over 200 people were in attendance for this first annual event. The event had attendance from several university administrators, as well the Student Government Association. The first part

of the event consisted a dinner with keynote speaker, Dr. Santos Gutierrez. After the presentation of the keynote speaker, Steven Garza asked for all the Latino and Multicultural Greek Organizations Presidents to present the unsuspected surprise to the ICEC. The surprise was a check of $700 to the ICEC to help finance next year’s Gala. The donation will keep the spirits alive of this new university tradition The event conclueded by a dance with music provided by DJ Jason Perez.

La Gala LatinaBy: Mark Melchor

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This year we will be having Fiota Bowl, our annual football game. The fee for each brother to play will be $5. If you don’t pay, you WON’T PLAY!!!

The winning team will receive a trophy as well as the MVP of the game.All brothers will receive water bottles with their $5 fee.

Here is the 411 on the event:

Saturday, November 29th @ 11amSt. John’s University, The Great Lawn

Queens, NY

For More Information Contact: Alex Mercado Phiota Sports Coordinator

“In Union our Community has a Future”

The foundation is an initiative designed to impact the lives of Latino communities throughout the world in the areas of education, economic development, and social progress. The Union Foundation is a private, charitable non-profit organization. The Foundation was created in order to:

*Provide scholarships and grants to Latino youths to enhance their educational and career opportunities.*Support community programs and other 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations that support civic empowerment and educational improvement within the Latino community.*To increase awareness of Latino issues to the greater philanthropic community covering issues such as, but not limited to, educational achievement, civil rights, state of the workforce, and overall community health.*To engage in other activities related to supporting and educating the public concerning Latino issues.

More than 75 years ago a remarkable group of university men who shared the ideals of enlightenment and Latino brotherhood established a national organization called Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity. At that time, the fraternity worked to educate and advance their fellow Latinos and countrymen across the country. In recent years the organization felt the need to create a new organization to live the mission that the fraternity espoused and to benefit a much larger scope of the Latino population; Therefore the creation of The Union Foundation.

For more information or to donate, visit the following website: www.ufoundation.org

77th CelebrationDecember 26, 2009

For more info visit www.phiota.org