In the early 1980s, more women from culturally diverse backgrounds were pursuing college degrees. Five women came together and decided to create a support system for these women.[3] Mu Sigma Upsilon was founded on November 21, 1981, atRutgers University–New Brunswick, as a social fellowship. The five founding mothers of Mu Sigma Upsilon are Eve Bracero, Lillian Sierra, Karinee Candelario, Ruth Gonzalez, and Sylvia Vigo.[4]
In the early 1980s, Mu Sigma Upsilon became the first sorority to be founded with a multicultural, rather than a specific ethnic or cultural, base.[5] Mu Sigma Upsilon became a Greek-lettered organization in the early 1990s.[6]
R.A.C.E is a national event of the sorority. Each chapter runs its version of the event, where campus cultural organizations are invited to perform in costume and provide cultural displays for table-top exhibitions during the event. Members are encouraged to wear national dress about their cultural background or heritage and provide sample delicacies from all parts of the world.[7][8]
The sorority's motto isMujeres Siempre Unidas or "Women Always United". Its colors are baby blue and white. Its mascot is theAmazon woman. Its nicknames are The Sophisticated Ladies or The MUs (pronounced mews).[9] Its publication isThe Amazonian.
Every five years, the organization selects a national philanthropy as beneficiary. Through this process, we are able to dedicate ourselves as a national organization to aiding a single charity organization for five years at a time, and continue to assist many more organizations in the future. Previous philanthropies include:
The Mu Sigma Upsilon Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. The mission of the foundation is to provide essential support and financial resources for the educational, leadership, and charitable purposes of the sorority to enrich the lives of members and assist in improving the community in which they serve.[11]
T.I.A.R.A. stands forTogetherness, Independence, Academics, Respect and Achievement. The T.I.A.R.A. Group is the official interest group of Mu Sigma Upsilon. Being an active T.I.A.R.A. gives interested ladies the opportunity to get an in-depth look at the sisterhood. They experience first-hand what it would be like to be a sister of MSU through event/meeting planning, programming, fundraising and networking. It also allows for the prospective members to build relationships with one another and Mu Sigma Upsilon sisters.[12]
Mu Sigma Upsilon does not name their chapters by the Greek alphabet, but rather chapters are given culturally significant names.[13] Active chapters are indicated inbold. Inactive chapters are indicated initalics.
Mu Sigma Upsilon's Aretias Graduate Chapter provides alumnae members with a system to become mentors and advisers to each other and to undergraduates. The chapter remains actively involved in academic programs at undergraduate chapters and surrounding communities with or without an undergraduate chapter. The Aretias Chapter also offers interested women the opportunity to join the sorority at the Graduate level.[17] Women interested in joining MSU’s Aretias Chapter would have completed an undergraduate program with a minimum 3.0 grade point average, or be actively pursuing a degree of higher education.[18]
