With a unique historical background, this sorority stands out and demonstrates perseverance. These are the women of Sigma Phi Omega Sorority Incorporated, and they have a great story to tell.

Sigma Phi Omega started off, not as a sorority, but as a Japanese American group at University of Southern California (USC) in 1949. Because of World War II, during this time, there still existed a lot of discrimination and resentment towards Asians in the United States. Therefore, it was hard to establish an Asian group of women, let alone Japanese women, on campus. But after approached by Chi Alpha Delta sorority from University of California Los Angeles to become a chapter there at USC, the women choose to begin their own organization. Although it was predominantly Japanese American women, the sorority became the third established Asian American sorority in the United States.

The Beta chapter at CSULB was established in 1970, making it the second out of nine existing and active chapters in the region. Their philanthropy is the fight to end domestic violence and host the S.A.F.E week every October in order to bring awareness to the student body. The chapter has over 100 initiated members and approximately 20 active sisters.

The girls also participate in a number of activities on campus as part of their rush events. Some of these include scavenger hunts, ice-cream night, bon fires, game night, and dancing.



photos from: national and Beta chapter website

Resembling the Centaur

So we’ve learned about fraternities, sororities and co-ed fraternities, but what about catering to the gay and bisexual community? Such a Greek organization exists and it is known as Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men.

The organization was founded when three elderly men donated to create an organization for the gay and bisexual community. They wished to have had an organization such as this one during their undergraduate years, but nonetheless, they established the fraternity in October of 1986 and initiated the first group of men in April of 1987.

Since its establishment, the fraternity has grown throughout the nation, from coast to coast, with 27 chapters and seven colonies.

In 1990, the Rho chapter at CSULB was established by gentleman Jack Carroll. Although most Greek organizations only initiate members that attend the university of the chapter they are pledging in, the Delta Lambda Phi fraternity Rho chapter accepts members in the surrounding Long Beach area. Therefore, some of the members of Rho chapter are not all from CSULB.

A few of the chapter’s philanthropies is the Long Beach AIDS foundation and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center on campus. They have also partnered up with other Greek organizations to do community service events or just socialize and create unity with the other Greek organizations a part of the Cultural Greek Council which they belong to.


photos from: Rho chapter website

Pilipino's at the Beach

Zeta Phi Rho’s Alpha chapter and Delta Sigma Chi’s Alpha chapter are not the only founding chapters at CSULB. This Greek organization was also founded here on campus and was established to enhance the Filipino culture. They are known as Kappa Psi Epsilon Sorority.

Kappa Psi Epsilon was founded on March 28 1996, and has then grown to three other campuses in California. Just like Sigma Phi Omega was established based on empowering Japanese American women, Kappa Psi Epsilon was founded to maintain the Philippine cultural heritage. Its mission is to learn and analyze the Philippine history and applying those traditions to the present generation.

The class sizes vary from five to 20 sisters, putting the chapter at over 100 initiated members. The current president is Rosanne Caliboso from Mu class, also from Mu class is Vice President Nicole Biala, secretary is Serena Riray from Nu class and treasurer is Angela Aspuria from Lambda class.

The Alpha chapter works with other groups on campus, such as the Pilipino American Coalition. Saturday December 5 is their 13th annual Pilipino Christmas Festival, “Pasko Sa Aming Bayan” in which the two groups share their culture with the student body on campus. They had a display of live art, and traditional Filipino food for all to taste. Its truly an event of the year.

Asian American Zetas

You may not see them every where, but they exist and they’re on our campus. These are the brothers of Zeta Epsilon Tau, the first Asian American fraternity on campus.

The fraternity was founded in 1971 at the University of Southern California. It later moved its charter to CSULB, making it the one and only established charter/chapter in the nation. They have not expanded to other campuses and have maintained a steady increase in their membership.

In its 38 years of existence, their goals have been striving for academic excellence, community service participation, and creating a strong brotherhood. As a result, the brothers of this fraternity will grow and develop leadership skills, cultural awareness and friendship/brotherhood building.

Their up coming event is Bidnight 2009. This is similar to the auctions that other Greek organizations host in order to raise money for their chapter. The brothers of Zeta Epsilon Tau will be auctioning off 19 of their members from the Alpha Xi pledge class and will take place at the LAX Hilton hotel on Saturday December 5.

A few of this years active officers are Hubert Nhan as president, Chris Luu as vice president, and Wilson Phe as social chair. These three gentlemen organized the Bidnight, so if it turns out successful, they are the ones to congratulate.

photos by: Johnny Ly

Sweet as a teddy bear

Nothing is sweeter than the ladies in red, white and green walking around campus. Their mascot the teddy bear is not only unique, but also sweet as it sports a colored ribbon. These sisters are from the Lambda Sigma Gamma Sorority Incorporated.


Twenty-seven women with one goal founded the sorority on October 24, 1986 at Sacramento State University. Their goal in creating the sorority was to create cultural diversity within a group of women, and to promote the family. They encourage women of all backgrounds to join the sorority.


They established themselves on campus on April 6, 2002 by six women who were seeking an organization that enhanced the idea of multiculturalism. After their establishment, this chapter became the 19th chapter in region and is known as the Tau chapter. Currently they have over 40 initiated members.

The Tau chapter has participated in a number of events throughout the years, such as beach clean up, “make a difference day”, American Heart Walk and Aids walk. They rush every semester and put on fun activities for the interests to partake in. Some of these rush events include bonfires, Dodger games, potlucks, game nights and much more.

So far, there are 21 chapters only in California, making it a regional organization. Even with that many chapters, there are over 1,000 members. And with each member, they practice their motto by being united through sisterhood.

photos from: Lambda Sigma Gamma, Tau chapter webpage on Myspace

"Delta Sigma Chi fo Life"

And who said fraternities were made up only of guys? It is true, for the most part, that fraternities are made up of men and sororities are made up of women, but that’s not the case for this fraternity. They are known as Delta Sigma Chi Co-ed Fraternity.

Just like Zeta Phi Rho fraternity, this fraternity was founded on campus on August 31, 1987. It was established by nine Latino men who desired to have a “lil sister” program in which women affiliated themselves with the fraternity through its resources it provided. On January 28, the brothers of the fraternity wanted to diversify and make grow their chapter, therefore granting the “lil sisters” full membership to the fraternity.

Since its establishment at CSULB, making it the Alpha chapter, four other chapters have been established throughout California. They currently excite in the California State Universities of San Bernardino, Fullerton, and Los Angeles, as well as University of California Riverside.

The Alpha chapter is part of the Cultural Greek Council and is the only co-ed fraternity on campus. Their mascot is the black panther and their colors are red, black and gold. They’ve participated in other Greek organization’s fundraisers, such as Sigma Lambda Gamma’s powder puff tournament, where the women played while the men coached.


video by: member of DSC (youtube)
photos from: DSC groups on Myspace