Even as a member of a Panhellenic sorority, I have a limited understanding of WSU Multicultural Greek Council and its chapters. This awareness doesn’t sit well with me, and it shouldn’t sit well with any other member of the WSU Greek community.
Gabriel García is the Chapter Secretary and Public Relations Chair for the Omicron Delta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc.
Her chapter recently received the Social Justice Award from the MGC. This culture of social justice is deeply rooted in the García fraternity.
“Our fraternities were focused on activism and creating positive change on campus and outside of our own communities,” he said.
Jamie Kness (she/they) is the new Educator Member, Social Chair, and Public Relations Chair of the Xi Chapter of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc.
“Multicultural Greek life was something I was looking into when I first started studying at WSU, mainly because I was looking for resources related to indigenous people and Native Americans,” she said.
Historically, Black and Latino fraternities were created in response to the lack of resources on college campuses after the civil rights movement in the 1960s, according to the National Multicultural Greek Council.
Multiculturalism is defined as “not only the diversity of membership, but also a concrete commitment to recognizing and celebrating all cultures equally through our programs, public service outreach efforts and community education,” according to Greek National Multicultural Council.
The Greek community we know and see in the media was not founded on diversity and the celebration of cultures. Collegiate secret societies were originally created for upper-class white men and, ultimately, upper-class white women.
Although times have changed and fraternities and sororities are more welcoming to non-white men and women, there is limited room for multicultural and multi-ethnic people in college within these traditional collegiate secret societies.
The Multicultural Fraternal Organization designation was created to include people from multi-ethnic and multi-cultural backgrounds.
“In our fraternity (chapter), most of us are first-generation college students, and this year, all of our members’ parents are Latino immigrants,” García said. “It creates a bond where we can lean on each other if we need help or advice.”
Although a bond can be created regardless of the chapter of the Panhellenic, the Interfraternity or multicultural Greek organizations, those of the MGC chapters might be closer.
“You feel fully welcomed (at MGC) instead of feeling like an outsider in Panhellenic sororities, whether that’s intentional or not,” Kness said.
Multicultural Greek life seems to be a place where people who felt left out can be heard and welcomed. When organizations like these are created, we move closer to creating equity for all.
“I believe our goal on campus is to break the stigma that Latino men can’t go to college and be a positive representation,” García said.
But when it comes to creating that equity, Kness highlighted the obstacles that stand in the way.
“There is a clear class divide when looking at Panhellenic and multicultural sororities with the economic divide between students, especially when it comes to supporting first-generation students for example,” they said.
It is not enough to create space for marginalized groups; we must actively defend these groups.
“I think a lot of it is about encouraging education about different cultures and backgrounds,” Kness said.
This education could be included in mandatory Greek programming opportunities, like those last week where Panhellenic, Interfraternity and MGC highlighted “Uncomfortable conversations with a black man” by Emmanuel Acho.
But our education cannot begin and end in February; it must be an ongoing process that can bring equity to marginalized groups.
Greek multicultural life deserves the spotlight.
Let me introduce you to the 14 multicultural Greek chapters at WSU, and the rich stories that accompany them:
Lambda Theta Alpha The sorority was established in 1975 at Kean University in New Jersey as the nation’s first Latin sorority. With the guiding principles of unity, love and respect, they contribute to their local Palouse Alternatives to Violence philanthropy.
Gamma Alpha Omega The sorority was established in 1993 at Arizona State University, and when the WSU chapter was established, it became the first Latina-based sorority in the Pacific Northwest. These members value honesty, integrity, leadership, scholarship and unity. They contribute to Emeralds causes for education and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Sigma Lambda Gamma The sorority was established at UofI in 1990 based on the principles of morals and ethics, social interaction, academics, community service and cultural awareness. Their philanthropies go toward breast cancer awareness and TRIO programs.
Sigma Lambda Beta The fraternity was also founded at UofI four years earlier, in 1986, based on the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, community service and cultural awareness. They support the Sigma Lambda Beta Education Fund and the Sigma Lambda Beta Omega Fund.
In 1987, two multicultural Greek organizations were founded at Texas Tech University: Omega Delta Phi fraternity and Latina-founded Kappa Delta Chi sorority. Each values unity, honesty, integrity and leadership and is based on the motto “one culture, any race”.
The Omega Delta Phi fraternity supports court-appointed special advocates while the Kappa Delta Chi sorority supports the American Cancer Society.
THE Alpha Psi Lambda The fraternity was established in 1985 at Ohio State University as the first and largest co-ed Latinx fraternity. They base their brotherhood on the principles of family, culture, teaching, service and leadership.
Chi-Sigma Alpha The sorority was established at the University of Washington in 2002 as an Asian interest, not an Asian-exclusive sorority. Their motto – “strength in brotherhood” – follows their principles of character, service and academic excellence. They support the philanthropy of the Make a Wish Foundation.
Alpha Pi Omega The sorority was established at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994 on the principles of education, spirituality, traditionalism and contemporary issues. They support the National Indian Education Education Association.
THE Chi Delta Sigma The sorority was established here at WSU in 2007 as the first and only Asian Pacific Islander interest sorority in the country. Their founding principles include academic excellence, leadership, outreach, diversity and brotherhood. Their philanthropic actions aim to fight breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Gamma Iota Omicron Fraternity Inc. is another chapter founded at WSU in 2006. They value knowledge, courage, respect, heritage, leadership, empathy, La Mujer and sisterhood, and support the American Diabetes Association for philanthropy.
Alpha Nu The sorority was established in 2008 at WSU with the motto: “come as you are.” Their founding pillars included scholarship, unity, leadership, multiculturalism and sisterhood. They support the American Cancer Society as part of their philanthropy.
THE Lambda Phi Epsilon The fraternity was established at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1981. It is the first and only internationally recognized Asian-American interest fraternity at WSU. They value authenticity, courageous leadership, cultural heritage, love and wisdom. They support the National Marrow Donor Program as a philanthropy.
The Hermandad of O eMe Te is based on Mexican Chicano Latino culture and was founded at WSU in 1996. Their name, O eMe Te, represents an Aztec term that their members share among themselves: “Oquichtli Macuilli Tonatiuh a Nahuatl.” They represent the values of culture, wisdom, empowerment and carnalismo, which is the shared bond between members and their community.
