Thursday, November 26, 2009

One Ring, One Brotherhood


Not many organizations on our campus can pride themselves of being the founding chapter of their organization. But this does not apply to the distinguished gentlemen of Zeta Phi Rho Fraternity Inc.

The fraternity was founded at CSULB on August 15, 1995, making it the Alpha chapter. Fourteen gentlemen came together to establish a brotherhood that now exists in eight other schools. From Santa Barbara to Riverside, these brothers manage to grow their chapters in numbers and in unity with each other despite long distances. Although they do not classify themselves to be an Asian American based fraternity, the members of the organization are predominantly Asian American.


Something that is not seen in other Greek organizations, but these brothers take pride in, is the adopting of non-Greek members (female) to be honorary members of their organization. This is what they call Zeta sis rush, in which they rush girls who sign up for the process and choose who they will make their zeta sis.

A few events the chapter had at school this semester is their philanthropy event called “Smoke Out at the Beach”. At this event they inform smokers and non-smokers the hazards of smoking and hope to change people’s attitudes through the presentation. They also fundraise and currently had their Howling auction event.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Miss Independent



Although small and existing only in California, the Misses from Chi Delta Theta Asian American interest sorority have increased within their chapters. They are one of the few Asian sororities on campus who, along with the previously mentioned Greek organizations, make up the Cultural Greek Council.

The sorority was founded at the University of California Santa Barbara on October 13, 1989 by Miss Alison Suto- Stripling and Miss Joanne Yamaoka. They established themselves as promoting academic, community service, cultural awareness, social activity and sisterhood. Since there are only five chapters existing within California, these sisters have created a close bond whether from University of California Davis to CSULB.

The Delta Chapter here on campus just rushed their Mu class this fall. The chapter has roughly 140 sisters and over 30 active members. A unique activity that is considered community service is their “bawdie” program. This is a night where the chapter invites both guys and girls college students to participate and interact with the sisters. It usually consists of games free of charge, as well as food. Earlier this year they had a bowling night, pool party and a coming out show.

There are various positions open, giving the girls an opportunity to hold a chair position and be active in the chapter. Since there are a lot of sisters, at some point before graduating, each sister is able to contribute to their chapter by holding a position.


photos from: Chi Delta Theta Delta chapter website

Sunday, November 22, 2009

"Go Gammas Go Gammas Go"

“Ladies, there are many… but women, there are few” a phrase well known in this Latina-based sorority. The women of distinction in this organization wear the shocking pink and majestic purple colors. They are called gammas and are known to be sisters of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Incorporated.


When the sorority was founded at the University of Iowa on April 9, 1990, they became the largest and fastest growing Latina-based multi-cultural sorority in the nation. The five founding mothers formed the sorority with desires to empower women of all cultural backgrounds through academics, community service, cultural awareness, social interactions and morals and ethics. There are roughly 95 chapters in the United States, 13 in California.

When establishing themselves on campus on April 11, 2003, these women wanted to show how actions speak louder than words, hence the chapter’s name; the Truly Beautiful, talk about it, be about it Tau Beta chapter. Nine women founded the chapter on campus, and have seen it grow to the 58 members it currently has.


Just like other organizations have signature outreach events, Sigma Lambda Gamma Tau Beta chapter hosts an annual powder puff tournament to raise money for one of their three philanthropies. They donate money to the Miller’s Children Hospital Long Beach every year to help alleviate the cost of treatment for children who suffer from Spina Bifida. They also donate, through fundraising, to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

“Culture is pride, pride is success”



photos by: members of Sigma Lambda Gamma

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Stallions at the Pyramid

The only other Latino-based fraternity on campus is hard to miss as they walk around sporting their white and purple colors. These men are members of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Incorporated, exemplifying strength of a white stallion mustang.

The organization was founded at the University of Iowa, Iowa city, Iowa on April 4, 1986 by 18 men. Although it is a Latino-based Greek organization, it is one of the few multi-cultural fraternities in the nation, and the only multi-cultural fraternity on campus. They were established to uphold the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, cultural awareness, and community service. The fraternity also upholds two philanthropies which they dedicate their time, effort and money into. These philanthropies are the Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day and the Collegiate Leadership Development Program.

Sigma Lambda Beta galloped their way to CSULB by establishing an interest group in 2000. After the seven founders put in hard work to become an entity on campus, CSULB recognized the Kappa Beta chapter on January 1, 2001. Since its establishment, the chapter now has 65 members.

From coast to coast, betas are known for their stepping and strolling. As the Southern California stroll team competes every year in various stroll off competitions, they always seem to make it to the final round. They have obtained first place three years straight, and kappa beta is proud to say they have always had a brother be a part of the team every time.

Watch out for their moves…


video from: youtube

Monday, November 16, 2009

Lovely Lambda Ladies

If anyone of you were curious to know which was the first Latina-based sorority to establish itself on campus… I would tell you it is the lovely ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha, Beta Delta chapter. In fact, the Beta Delta chapter was not only the first Latina-based sorority on campus; it was the first chapter in its organization to make its way to the West coast. Officially recognized as a chapter in April of 1998, the ladies that hold the principles of unity, love and respect, take pride in being the chapter that opened the expansion to the West side.

One of the organizations the Beta Delta chapter works with and supports some of their events on campus is the Women’s Resource Center located in LA5. The chapter has helped promote breast cancer awareness by volunteering at the center and have individually volunteered their time in certain projects.

Currently, there are roughly 50 members in the chapter, and although the active members are few, they have worked hard to accomplish and uphold their principles. The organization as a whole is known for saluting, and every so often you will see these ladies perform their salute at Greek events on campus. So keep an eye out for the ladies in burgundy and grey.


video from: youtube