This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "List of Latino Greek-letter organizations" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Latino Greek-letter organizations, in the North American student fraternity and sorority system, refer to general or social organizations oriented to students having a special interest in Latino culture and identity. The first known Latino fraternal organization was Alpha Zeta fraternity, established in 1889 at Cornell University.[1]

In 1898, a group of Latin American students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute organized the Union Hispano Americana (UHA) as a cultural and intellectual secret society based on the ideology of Pan-Americanism.[2] The UHA eventually became Phi Iota Alpha.

The current rise in Latino Greek organizations began in 1975 and is known as the Latino Greek Movement. This movement called for the equality of Latino people in America, and many Greek letter organizations were developed to create solidarity and political empowerment for the Latino community.[1]

In New Jersey on December 1, 1975, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Kean University in Union Township, New Jersey.[3] With the fraternity's second chapter at Rutgers University–New Brunswick in the fall of 1978, Lambda Theta Phi was well on its way to growing the Latino Greek movement.[4] Shortly afterward, a Latina sorority was established at Kean University; Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. became the first Latina Greek-lettered organization in the country. These two Greek-lettered organizations empowered the Latino Greek Movement's infancy days and provided the Latino community on campus and the United States a voice.

On the campus of Rutgers University–Livingston campus, Latino Siempre Unidos or Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. formed on April 5, 1979. Corazones Unidos Siempre or Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. formed at Rutgers University–New Brunswick on April 29, 1980. In 1982, Lambda Upsilon Lambda became the first Latino-based fraternity to be chartered at an Ivy League institution.[5]

There are currently more than 45 Latin-oriented fraternities and sororities, seventeen of which are members of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

Main article: National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) is an umbrella council for seventeen Latino Greek-letter organizations.

Organization name Symbols Founding date University Type References
Alpha Pi Sigma ΑΠΣ March 10, 1990 San Diego State University Sorority
Alpha Psi Lambda ΑΨΛ February 11, 1985 Ohio State University Coed
Chi Upsilon Sigma ΧΥΣ April 29, 1980 Rutgers University Sorority
Gamma Phi Omega ΓΦΩ April 17, 1991 Indiana University Sorority
Gamma Zeta Alpha ΓΖΑ December 3, 1987 California State University, Chico Fraternity
Kappa Delta Chi ΚΔΧ April 6, 1987 Texas Tech University Sorority
Lambda Alpha Upsilon ΛΑΥ December 10, 1985 SUNY Buffalo Fraternity
Lambda Pi Chi ΛΠΧ April 16, 1988 Cornell University Sorority
Lambda Pi Upsilon ΛΠΥ November 6, 1992 SUNY Geneseo Sorority
Lambda Sigma Upsilon (Chapters) ΛΣΥ April 5, 1979 Rutgers University - New Brunswick Fraternity
Lambda Theta Nu ΛΘΝ March 11, 1986 California State University, Chico Sorority
Lambda Upsilon Lambda (Chapters) ΛΥΛ February 19, 1982 Cornell University Fraternity
Omega Phi Beta ΩΦΒ March 15, 1989 SUNY Albany Sorority
Phi Iota Alpha ΦΙΑ December 26, 1931 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Fraternity
Sigma Iota Alpha ΣΙΑ September 29, 1990 SUNY Albany, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY New Paltz and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Sorority
Sigma Lambda Upsilon ΣΛΥ December 1, 1987 Binghamton University Sorority
Sigma Omega Nu ΣΩΝ November 6, 1996 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Sorority

North-American Interfraternity Conference

Main article: North-American Interfraternity Conference

Six fraternities are affiliated with the North American Interfraternity Conference.

Organization name Symbols Founding date University Type References
Lambda Sigma Upsilon (Chapters) ΛΣΥ April 5, 1979 Rutgers University - New Brunswick Fraternity
Lambda Theta Phi (Chapters) ΛΘΦ December 1, 1975 Kean College Fraternity
Nu Alpha Kappa NAK February 26, 1988 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Fraternity
Omega Delta Phi (Chapters) ΩΔΦ November 25, 1987 Texas Tech University Fraternity
Phi Iota Alpha (Chapters) ΦΙΑ December 26, 1931 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Fraternity
Sigma Lambda Beta ΣΛΒ April 4, 1986 University of Iowa Fraternity

Concilio Interfraternitario de Puerto Rico

Five Puerto Rican fraternities and two sororities compose the Concilio Interfraternitario de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rican Interfraternity Council). The five fraternities are also members of the Concilio Interfraternitario Puertorriqueño de la Florida (Puerto Rican Interfraternity Council in Florida).

Organization name Symbols Founding date University Type Reference
Alpha Beta Chi ABX 1941 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Fraternity
Eta Gamma Delta ΗΓΔ March 1928 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Sorority
Mu Alpha Phi ΜΑΦ October 24, 1927 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Sorority
Nu Sigma Beta ΝΣΒ October 1937 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Fraternity
Phi Delta Gamma ΦΔΓ April 25, 1942 University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Fraternity
Phi Eta Mu ΦΗΜ 1923 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Fraternity
Phi Sigma Alpha (Chapters) ΦΣΑ October 22, 1928 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus Fraternity

Independent

The organizations listed here are not affiliated with a national umbrella council.

Organization name Symbols Founding date University Type Reference
Alpha Rho Lambda ΑΡΛ March 26, 1993 Yale University Sorority
Alpha Sigma Omega ΑΣΩ April 26, 1997 Syracuse University Sorority
Delta Phi Mu ΔΦΜ August 28, 1991 Purdue University Sorority
Delta Pi Rho ΔΠΡ December 9, 2004 Purdue University Fraternity
Delta Sigma Chi ΔΣΧ August 31, 1987 California State University, Long Beach Coed [6]
Delta Tau Lambda ΔΤΛ April 2, 1994 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Sorority
Gamma Alpha Omega ΓΑΩ January 25, 1993 Arizona State University Sorority
Gamma Ce Upsilon ΓCΥ November 3, 1989 SUNY Stony Brook Sorority
Gamma Iota Omicron ΓΙΟ February 7, 2006 Washington State University Fraternity
Gamma Phi Sigma ΓΦΣ April 16, 1992 Temple University Fraternity
Hermandad de Oquichtli Macuilli Tonatiuh O eMe T January 21, 1996 Washington State University Fraternity
Lambda Iota Upsilon ΛΙΥ October 18, 1998 SUNY Delhi Fraternity
Lambda Kappa Kappa ΛΚΚ December 13, 1994 Texas Wesleyan University Fraternity [7]
Lambda Phi Delta ΛΦΔ November 17, 1988 SUNY Buffalo Sorority
Lambda Theta Alpha ΛΘΑ December 1, 1975 Kean College Sorority
Mu Iota Upsilon ΜΙΥ May 2, 1999 SUNY Delhi Sorority
Oquichtti Maculli Tonatiuh O eMe T January 21, 1996 Washington State University Fraternity
Phi Delta Psi Eta ΦΔΨΗ July 23, 1992 Pennsylvania State University - University Park Fraternity
Phi Lambda Rho ΦΛΡ November 13, 1993 California State University, Stanislaus Sorority
Pi Lambda Chi ΠΛΧ March 5, 1994 University of Colorado at Boulder Sorority
Sigma Delta ΣΔ April 12, 1996 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Sorority [8]
Sigma Delta Alpha ΣΔΑ May 5, 1992 San Jose State University Fraternity
Sigma Delta Lambda ΣΔΛ September 26, 1996 Texas State University–San Marcos Sorority
Sigma Lambda Alpha ΣΛΑ October 5, 1992 Texas Woman's University Sorority
Sigma Lambda Beta (Chapters) ΣΛΒ April 4, 1986 University of Iowa Fraternity
Sigma Lambda Gamma ΣΛΓ April 9, 1990 University of Iowa Sorority
Sigma Pi Alpha ΣΠΑ May 2, 1996 University of California, Berkeley Sorority
Omega Pi Lambda ΩΠΛ March 14, 2023 University of Wisconsin Whitewater[9] Sorority

Afro-Latino organizations

Five fraternities and two sororities define themselves as Afro-Latino organizations.

Organization name Symbols Founding date University Type References
Alpha Beta Sigma ΑΒΣ February 6, 1998 SUNY Buffalo Sorority
Beta Kappa Psi ΒΚΨ October 14, 1992 New Jersey Institute of Technology Fraternity
Beta Sigma Kappa ΒΣΚ March 16, 1998 SUNY Buffalo Fraternity
Malika Kambe Umfazi MKU June 16, 1995 SUNY Buffalo Sorority
MALIK Fraternity MALIK May 13, 1977 Long Island University Fraternity
Sigma Phi Rho ΣΦΡ November 13, 1979 Wagner College Fraternity
Xi Theta Psi ΞΘΨ March 5, 1995 Utica University Fraternity

Defunct organizations

Fifteen organizations are no longer in existence.

Organization name Symbols Founding date University Type Reference
Alpha Lambda Mu ΑΛΜ 1910 University of Pennsylvania Fraternity
Alpha Zeta AZ January 1, 1890 Cornell University Fraternity [10]
Beta Lambda Delta ΒΛΔ October 13, 1993 Johnson & Wales University Fraternity
Kappa Alpha Rho ΚΑΡ 1991 University of Texas at Austin Sorority
Lambda Sigma Alpha ΛΣΑ 1925 University of Arizona Fraternity
Lambda Tau Delta ΛΤΔ SUNY Buffalo Sorority
L.I.U.N. (Phi Chi Delta) L.I.U.N. February 9, 1909 Louisiana State University Fraternity
Phi Beta Mex 1933 UTEP Fraternity
Phi Chi Delta ΦΧΔ January 27, 1913 Louisiana State University Fraternity [11]
Phi Lambda Alpha ΦΛΑ 1919 University of California, Berkeley Fraternity [a][b]
Phi Lambda Alpha ΦΛΑ 1949 Kansas State University Fraternity
Phi Theta Chi ΦΘΧ February 27, 1992 Binghamton University Sorority
Pi Delta Phi ΠΔΦ 1916 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Fraternity [a]
Psi Alpha Kappa ΨΑΚ October 1, 1900 Lehigh University Fraternity
Psi Sigma Delta ΨΣΔ February 1900 Columbia University Fraternity
Quetzal QZ Sonoma State University Sorority [12]
Sigma Alpha Chi ΣΑΧ April 15, 1997 Missouri State University Sorority
Sigma Delta Alpha ΣΔΑ October 22, 1928 University of Puerto Rico Fraternity [c]
Sigma Iota ΣΙ March 12, 1912 Louisiana State University Fraternity [b]
Sigma Iota Alpha ΣΙΑ 1939 Louisiana State University Sorority
Sigma Lambda Sigma ΣΛΣ October 13, 1993 Johnson & Wales University Sorority
Zeta Phi Gamma ΖΦΓ December 17, 1993 Texas Tech University Sorority

Notes

  1. ^ a b Merged in 1921 to form Phi Lambda Alpha.
  2. ^ a b Merged in 1931 to form Phi Iota Alpha.
  3. ^ Merged in 1934 with the Alpha Boriquen Militant chapter of Phi Iota Alpha to become Phi Sigma Alpha.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Fajardo, Oliver (April 2015). "History of Latino Fraternal Movement and Why it Matters on Campus Today" (PDF).
  2. ^ Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (1952). "Universities and world affairs". Universities and World Affairs. ISSN 0502-6393. OCLC 1515126.
  3. ^ Fajardo, Oliver (2015). "A Brief History of International Latin American Student Fraternities: A Movement That Lasted 86 Years (1889-1975)". Journal of Hispanic Higher Education. 14. doi:10.1177/1538192714548928. S2CID 146728641.
  4. ^ Heidenreich, L. (2006). "Against the grain: Confronting Hispanic service organizations in times of increasing inequalities, 1930 and 2005". Journal of Latinos and Education. 5 (2): 123–137. doi:10.1207/s1532771xjle0502_4. S2CID 144741664.
  5. ^ Muñoz, Susana (January 2009). "Nuestra Historia y Futuro (Our History and Future): Latino/A Fraternities and Sororities". Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in the Hood.
  6. ^ "Delta Sigma Chi Co-ed Fraternity". California State University, Fullerton. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Lambda Kappa Kappa". Archived from the original on 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  8. ^ "History". Sigma Delta Sorority. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  9. ^ "University of Wisconsin-Whitewater". www.uww.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  10. ^ "Alpha Chapter of Alpha Zeta". The Cornell Daily Sun Volume 10. January 1890.
  11. ^ Baird, William Raimond; Alvan E. Duerr (1940). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Menasha, Wisconsin: G. Banta Pub. Co. p. 754.
  12. ^ Spacher, Heather (1996). The History of Quetzal Sorority at Sonoma State University. Rohnert Park, California: Sonoma State University – via Google Books.
Categories