by Nancy Sep£lveda
Daily Lobo
Greek life at UNM doesn't end on Sigma Chi Road.
"A lot of people don't realize there's an entire group of multicultural Greeks, who don't have campus houses, don't participate in rush week and are very community-oriented," said Erica Gallegos, a member of the Lambda Theta Alpha Latin sorority.
The Multicultural Greek Council, one of three Greek governing boards at UNM, has 10 chapters.
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"We represent a diversity of backgrounds, including Latino, Native American and multiethnic sororities and fraternities," said Jolonzo Goldtooth, council president.
The council exposes its members to ethnic and religious traditions, said Christina Lovato, president of the Theta Nu Xi multicultural sorority.
"We appreciate and embrace each other's differences," she said. "It's a nice alternative to all the intolerance you see today."
Multicultural chapters bring a different perspective to the Greek life experience, said Jon Gayer, a Greek Life adviser.
"Because they're culturally based, they bring that sense of cultural awareness to UNM," he said.
Minority fraternities and sororities do community work to serve minority populations, Gallegos said.
"My organization focuses a lot of its community service on Latino causes," she said.
Many council chapters also incorporate traditions unique to their cultures, Gallegos said.
"Different groups practice stepping, saluting, strolling, chanting and using different calls and hand symbols," she said.
One challenge that multicultural Greeks face is low numbers, Gayer said.
Many multicultural Greek members are first-generation college students whose families have been exposed to only Hollywood's version of Greek life, he said.
"MGC groups are looking to a recruiting base whose families don't understand what fraternities and sororities are," he said. "They may look at them, in some cases, as a gang."
Dealing with the national boards of MGC chapters can also be a hurdle, Gayer said.
"Their requirements for membership seem more stringent than traditional sororities and fraternities," he said.
Gallegos said her organization has a longer intake process than traditional sororities.
"We absolutely do not rush," she said.
Rushing is the process most Greek organizations use to recruit and initiate members.
Recruitment takes place year-round. Prospective members join an interest group before going through an orientation process.
"This allows potential members to really learn what our sisterhood is about before they commit to it," Gallegos said.
Not having a chapter house affects recruitment, she said.
"Some people are looking to live in a house on campus, in that kind of traditional Greek atmosphere," Gallegos said.
But not having a house is a benefit, too, she said.
"We don't worry about the expenses and liabilities that come with a house," she said. "Plus, our time together is special. We have to really focus on getting things done, not brushing our teeth."
Multicultural groups must fulfill the same requirements - such as community service and grades - as all sororities and fraternities, even if they have fewer members, Gayer said.
"There are no special allowances because of their size," he said. "Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the chapter."
Being part of a small group can be difficult, Lovato said.
"I have to show I'm as capable as chapters with more members," she said. "I stretch myself really thin."
Even with low numbers, multicultural groups often exceed expectations, Goldtooth said.
"It makes you a stronger organization when you do accomplish big things with fewer people," he said. "It creates more pride in what we do."
Multicultural and
ethnic Greek
organizations
Alpha Phi Alpha: Historically African-American fraternity - Timothy Green IV, president
Alpha Pi Omega: American-Indian sorority - Gwen Palmer,
president
Beta Sigma Epsilon: American-Indian fraternity - Neil Dodge,
president
Delta Psi Rho: Multicultural sorority - Nedra Iwerks, president
Delta Sigma Theta: Historically African-American sorority - Brandale Mills, president
Lambda Theta Alpha: Latin sorority - Erica Gallegos, president
Lambda Theta Phi: Latin fraternity - Peter
Estrada, president
Omega Delta Phi: Latin fraternity - John Branch, president
Omega Psi Phi: Historically African-American fraternity - Kellyn Ward, president
Theta Nu Xi: Multicultural sorority - Christina Lovato, president
