Latino Greek-letter organizations , in theNorth American studentfraternity and sorority system, refer to general or social organizations oriented to students having a special interest inLatino culture and identity. The first known Latino fraternal organization wasAlpha Zeta fraternity, established in 1889 at Cornell University.[ 1]
In 1898, a group of Latin American students atRensselaer Polytechnic Institute organized the Union Hispano Americana (UHA) as a cultural and intellectualsecret society based on the ideology ofPan-Americanism .[ 2] 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 atKean University inUnion Township, New Jersey .[ 3] Rutgers University–New Brunswick in the fall of 1978, Lambda Theta Phi was well on its way to growing the Latino Greek movement.[ 4] 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 gave the Latino community a voice on campus and in the United States.
On the campus ofRutgers University – Livingston campus, Latino Siempre Unidos orLambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. formed on April 5, 1979. Corazones Unidos Siempre orChi 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 theNational Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), an umbrella council of Latino Greek-letter organizations. Six Latino fraternities are affiliated with theNorth American Interfraternity Conference (NIC). FivePuerto Rican fraternities and two sororities compose theConcilio Interfraternitario de Puerto Rico (CIPR, Puerto Rican Interfraternity Council). The fraternities are also members of theConcilio Interfraternitario Puertorriqueño de la Florida (CIPFI, Puerto Rican Interfraternity Council in Florida).
Organization Symbols Founding date Founding location Affiliation Status References Alpha Beta Sigma ΑΒΣ February 1998 State University of New York at Buffalo Independent Inactive [ 6] Alpha Pi Sigma ΑΠΣ March 10, 1990 San Diego State University NALFO Active Alpha Sigma Omega ΑΣΩ April 26, 1997 Syracuse University Independent Active [ 7] [ 8] Chi Upsilon Sigma ΧΥΣ April 29, 1980 Rutgers University NALFO Active Delta Phi Mu ΔΦΜ August 28, 1991 Purdue University Independent Active [ 9] [ 10] Delta Tau Lambda ΔΤΛ April 2, 1994 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Independent Active Eta Gamma Delta ΗΓΔ March 1928 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus CIPR Active Gamma Alpha Omega ΓΑΩ January 25, 1993 Arizona State University Independent Active Gamma Phi Omega ΓΦΩ April 17, 1991 Indiana University NALFO Active Kappa Delta Chi ΚΔΧ April 6, 1987 Texas Tech University NALFO Active Lambda Phi Delta ΛΦΔ November 17, 1988 SUNY Buffalo Independent Inactive [ 11] Lambda Pi Chi ΛΠΧ April 16, 1988 Cornell University NALFO Active Lambda Pi Upsilon ΛΠΥ November 6, 1992 SUNY Geneseo NALFO Active Lambda Theta Alpha ΛΘΑ December 1, 1975 Kean College Independent Active Lambda Theta Nu ΛΘΝ March 11, 1986 California State University, Chico NALFO Active Malika Kambe Umfazi MKU June 16, 1995 SUNY Buffalo Independent Active [ 12] [ a] Mu Alpha Phi ΜΑΦ October 24, 1927 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus CIPR Active Mu Iota Upsilon ΜΙΥ May 2, 1999 State University of New York at Delhi Independent Active [ 13] [ 14] Omega Phi Beta ΩΦΒ March 15, 1989 SUNY Albany NALFO Active Omega Pi Lambda ΩΠΛ March 14, 2023 University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Independent Active [ 15] Phi Beta Mex 1933 College of Mines and Metallurgy of the University of Texas (nowUniversity of Texas at El Paso ) Independent Inactive [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] Phi Chi Delta ΦΧΔ January 27, 1913 Louisiana State University Independent Inactive [ 19] Phi Delta Psi Eta ΦΔΨΗ July 23, 1992 Pennsylvania State University - University Park Independent Inactive [ 20] Phi Lambda Rho ΦΛΡ November 13, 1993 California State University, Stanislaus Independent Active [ 21] Pi Lambda Chi ΠΛΧ March 5, 1994 University of Colorado at Boulder Independent Active [ 22] [ 23] Quetzal QZ Sonoma State University Independent Inactive [ 24] Sigma Alpha Chi ΣΑΧ April 15, 1997 Missouri State University Independent Inactive [ 25] Sigma Delta ΣΔ April 12, 1996 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Independent Inactive [ 26] [ 27] Sigma Delta Lambda ΣΔΛ September 26, 1996 Texas State University–San Marcos Independent Active [ 28] Sigma Iota Alpha ΣΙΑ September 29, 1990 SUNY Albany ,SUNY Stony Brook ,SUNY New Paltz andRensselaer Polytechnic Institute NALFO Active Sigma Lambda Alpha ΣΛΑ October 5, 1992 Texas Woman's University Independent Active Sigma Lambda Upsilon ΣΛΥ December 1, 1987 Binghamton University NALFO Active Sigma Omega Nu ΣΩΝ November 6, 1996 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo NALFO Active Sigma Pi Alpha ΣΠΑ May 2, 1996 University of California, Berkeley Independent Active
^ This group defines itself as Afro-Latino. Organization Symbols Founding date Founding location Affiliation Status References Alpha Beta Chi ΑΒΧ 1941 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus CIPR,CIPFI Active [ 29] Alpha Zeta ΑΖ January 1, 1890 Cornell University Independent Inactive [ 30] Delta Pi Rho ΔΠΡ December 9, 2004 Purdue University Independent Active [ 31] [ 32] Gamma Iota Omicron ΓΙΟ February 7, 2006 Washington State University Independent Active [ 33] [ 34] Gamma Zeta Alpha ΓΖΑ December 3, 1987 California State University, Chico NALFO Active La Hermandad de o eMe Te OMT January 21, 1996 Washington State University Independent Active [ 35] [ 36] [ a] Lambda Alpha Upsilon ΛΑΥ December 10, 1985 SUNY Buffalo NALFO Active Lambda Kappa Kappa ΛΚΚ December 13, 1994 Texas Wesleyan University Independent Inactive [ 37] Lambda Sigma Alpha ΛΣΑ 1926 University of Arizona Independent Inactive [ 38] Lambda Sigma Upsilon (Chapters ) ΛΣΥ April 5, 1979 Rutgers University - New Brunswick NALFO ,NIC Active Lambda Theta Phi (Chapters ) ΛΘΦ December 1, 1975 Kean College NIC Active Lambda Upsilon Lambda (Chapters ) ΛΥΛ February 19, 1982 Cornell University NALFO Active L.I.U.N. (Phi Chi Delta) February 9, 1909 Louisiana State University Independent Inactive [ 39] Nu Alpha Kappa ΝΑΚ February 26, 1988 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo NIC Active Nu Sigma Beta ΝΣΒ October 1937 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus CIPR,CIPFI Active Omega Delta Phi (Chapters ) ΩΔΦ November 25, 1987 Texas Tech University NIC Active Phi Delta Gamma ΦΔΓ April 25, 1942 University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez CIPR,CIPFI Active Phi Eta Mu ΦΗΜ 1923 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus CIPR,CIPFI Active Phi Iota Alpha (Chapters ) ΦΙΑ December 26, 1931 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NALFO , NIC Active Phi Lambda Alpha ΦΛΑ 1919 University of California, Berkeley Independent Inactive [ b] [ c] Phi Sigma Alpha ΦΣΑ October 22, 1928 University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus CIPR,CIPFI Active Pi Delta Phi ΠΔΦ 1916 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Independent Inactive [ b] Psi Alpha Kappa ΨΑΚ October 1, 1900 Lehigh University Independent Inactive Sigma Delta Alpha ΣΔΑ May 5, 1992 San Jose State University Independent Active Sigma Delta Alpha (PR) ΣΔΑ October 22, 1928 University of Puerto Rico Independent Inactive [ d] Sigma Iota ΣΙ March 12, 1912 Louisiana State University Independent Inactive [ c] Sigma Iota Alpha (fraternity) ΣΙΑ April 1939 Louisiana State University Independent Inactive [ e] Sigma Lambda Beta (Chapters ) ΣΛΒ April 4, 1986 University of Iowa NIC Active Sigma Phi Rho ΣΦΡ November 13, 1979 Wagner College Independent Active [ f] Xi Theta Psi ΞΘΨ March 5, 1995 Utica University Independent Active [ 40] [ f]
^ The fraternity's name is in Aztec letters, rather than Greek. ^a b Merged in 1921 to form Phi Lambda Alpha. ^a b Merged in 1931 to form Phi Iota Alpha. ^ Merged in 1934 with the Alpha Boriquen Militant chapter of Phi Iota Alpha to become Phi Sigma Alpha. ^ Founded by two disaffiliated members of Phi Iota Alpha and 18 others in April 1939. Merged with Phi Sigma Alpha on September 10, 1939, to become one of two administrative zones of the Sigma Fraternity. It then went on to rename itself as Phi Sigma Beta and then eventually renamed itself once more to just be Phi Sigma Alpha ^a b This is a Afro-Latino fraternity. ^a b Fajardo, Oliver (April 2015)."History of Latino Fraternal Movement and Why it Matters on Campus Today" (PDF) . ^ Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (1952). "Universities and world affairs".Universities and World Affairs .ISSN 0502-6393 .OCLC 1515126 . ^ 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 . ^ 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 . ^ Muñoz, Susana (January 2009)."Nuestra Historia y Futuro (Our History and Future): Latino/A Fraternities and Sororities" .Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in the Hood . ^ "Home" .Alpha Beta Sigma Sorority, Incorporated . RetrievedOctober 3, 2024 .^ "About Us" .Alpha Sigma Omega . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Home - Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, Inc" .University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Delta Phi Mu Sorority, Inc" .Purdue University . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Home" .Delta Phi Mu . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Lambda Phi Delta" .SUNY Potsdam College Archives & Special Collections Digital Collections . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Our Herstory" .Malika Kambe Umfazi Sorority Inc . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Mu Iota Upsilon Sorority Incorporated | Bronco Direct" .SUNY Delhi . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "History" .Mu Iota Upsilon . RetrievedOctober 16, 2024 .^ "University of Wisconsin-Whitewater" .www.uww.edu . RetrievedFebruary 6, 2024 .^ "Fraternities and Sororities" .UTEP Encyclopedia . RetrievedOctober 8, 2024 .^ "Phi Beta Mex 'Frat' Organized at Mines" .El Paso Times . April 3, 1936. p. 4. RetrievedOctober 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.^ "Fraternity Given Mines Recognition" .El Paso Herald-Post . April 2, 1936. p. 7. RetrievedOctober 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.^ Baird, William Raimond; Alvan E. Duerr (1940).Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities Menasha, Wisconsin : G. Banta Pub. Co. p. 754. ^ "Phi Delta Psi Eta Hispanic Fraternity, Inc" .Latino Caucus Pennsylvania State University . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Phi Lambda Rho Sorority, Inc - Home" .Phi Lambda Rho . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "About" .Pi Lambda Chi . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Pi Lambda Chi Latina Sorority, Inc. | Fraternity & Sorority Life" .University of Colorado at Boulder . January 26, 2021. RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ Spacher, Heather (1996).The History of Quetzal Sorority at Sonoma State University ^ Cordia, Jessica (October 10, 2006). "Monthlong Celebration to Culminate with Biannual Fashion Show".The Standard . p. 4 – via Missouri State University Digital Collections. ^ "History" . Sigma Delta Sorority. Archived fromthe original on April 15, 2015. RetrievedApril 3, 2014 .^ "Sigma Delta Sorority" .Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . RetrievedOctober 20, 2024 .^ "Sigma Delta Lambda" .Texas State University–San Marcos . May 24, 2024. RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Historia: Fraternidad Alpha Beta Chi" .Alpha Beta Chi Puerto Rico . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Alpha Chapter of Alpha Zeta".The Cornell Daily Sun Volume 10 . January 1890. ^ "Delta Pi Rho Fraternity Inc. Alpha Chapter" .Purdue University . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "History" .Delta Pi Rho Fraternity Inc . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Gamma Iota Omicron Fraternity Inc" .Washington State University . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Gamma Iota Omicron Official Site" .Gamma Iota Omicron . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 .^ "Home" .OQUICHTIL MACUILLI TONATIUH (OMT) . RetrievedOctober 10, 2024 .^ "La Hermandad de o eMe Te" .Washington State University . RetrievedOctober 10, 2024 .^ "Lambda Kappa Kappa" . Archived fromthe original on April 7, 2017. RetrievedApril 7, 2017 .^ Star, Margaret L. Maxwell For the Arizona Daily (October 23, 2015)."A century of Greek life at UA homecoming" .Arizona Daily Star . RetrievedOctober 21, 2024 . ^ Gallegos, Antonio Estevan (April 23, 2018)."Waves of Latinx Greek Life: A Subculture at Umich – ¡PRESENTE!" . RetrievedJuly 10, 2024 . ^ "History" .Xi Theta Psi . RetrievedOctober 16, 2024 .^ "Delta Sigma Chi Co-ed Fraternity" . California State University, Fullerton. RetrievedApril 3, 2014 .
