MGC fraternity interest group hopes to cultivate Latino leadership among 'hermanos'
November 29, 2012
A fraternal interest group on campus is one step away from becoming Northwestern’s second Latino-based fraternity.
The Interested Gentlemen of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda fraternity, applied for associate member status Oct. 15. The Multicultural Greek Council approved the application on the same day.
LUL differs from Omega Delta Phi, a multicultural service fraternity, although both share an interest in Latino issues.
After seeing a lack of Latino leadership on campus, Sergio Alvarez, one of the group’s six current members, started generating ideas for a Latino-based group last November.
“After my freshman and sophomore year, I really wished there were individuals out there who reached out to me to really sort of push me,” the Bienen senior said. “We take pride in pushing each other and finding opportunities for each other and becoming the best we can be.”
After discussing these opinions with other students who had similar thoughts, Alvarez recruited five other members. Together they researched and evaluated multiple fraternities and organizations that didn’t have NU chapters before they chose LUL. They decided on forming the fraternity because of the prestige of its alumni and its mentorship given to potential members, group member Ricardo Rodriguez said.
“All have gone out of their way to help us,” the Weinberg sophomore said. “Without their help and the advice they’ve given – we call each other ‘hermanos,’ (Spanish for ‘brothers’) by the way – we couldn’t have gotten to where we are now.”
The group reached interest group status from MGC in January.
Some of the group’s current members deactivated from Interfraternity Council chapters to join LUL because they were not satisfied with those chapters’ sense of brotherhood, Rodriguez said.
“The problem we see through IFC is that there’s so many people in one fraternity, and it’s hard to see each and every one of those guys as a brother,” he said. “Whereas these guys were very close to one another and willing to support and help each other out no matter what. That’s one of the key pillars of LUL.”
The interest group created the pseudonym “GOLD,” which stands for, “Generating Opportunities for Leadership Development.” With this name, the group hopes to emphasize that its main goal is to not only develop a brotherhood but also to cultivate Latino leaders in the community.
In order to increase its visibility on campus, the group hosted a week-long series of events that started Monday. The group designed events to reflect issues important to individual members. On Wednesday night at Kresge Hall, the group co-hosted with sorority Delta Sigma Theta a presentation on Belize to show their interest in cultural awareness.
Another member, Ellyn Pena, said he naturally clicked with the interest group and shared their ideas, but the selling point for him was that LUL was established at an Ivy League university.
“They valued academics,” the SESP sophomore said. “The people I’ve met in the organization are very professionally oriented, and they have really good connections, and they’re mentors, even if you don’t ask for it.”
Another Latino-based interest group for Sigma Lambda Beta is also working to become an official chapter. That group, however, has not reached associate member status yet.
“It will be interesting to see how the dynamics would play out in terms of bringing more diversity to MGC and the Greek community overall,” said Allison Hung, vice president of operations for MGC.
Correction: A previous version of this story said LUL could become NU's first Latino-based fraternity. Omega Delta Phi is NU's first Latino-based fraternity, which means LUL would become the second Latino-based fraternity on campus. The Daily regrets the error.
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wow..."Some of the group’s current members deactivated from Interfraternity Council chapters to join LUL because they were not satisfied with those chapters’ sense of brotherhood"
what happens when LUL does not satisfy your sense of brotherhood? i'm surprised a NIC member fraternity (LUL) is actively pursuing/recruiting members of other NIC members! how is this ok!?
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Ace Reply:
November 29th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
To answer your questions^
"What happens when LUL does not satisfy your sense of brotherhood?"
No brotherhood is perfect, but what I can say about LUL is that the brotherhood extends beyond your immediate chapter. I have an amazing brotherhood with the Hermanos at my own chapter as well as an amazing brotherhood with Hermanos from New York, California, Florida and all over the United States. I might not see them all the time, but we communicate when we can and meet up when we can. Having said this, your closest bonds will be with the Hermanos at your respective chapter (considering we keep our numbers very low as well), but you might be surprised to find out some Hermanos have closer bonds with Hermanos from outside chapters! Either way, you're bound to meet your brotherhood needs. I won't go into much detail as our brotherhood is actually something you have to experience first-hand, but you should get the point.
As for your second comment about LUL being a NIC member fraternity (this is how I interpreted it).
We are actually not a member of NIC. Also, the article does not state if those former NIC members were recruited by the interested gentleman. Maybe they heard about the possibility of the first Latino fraternity and wanted to jump on board since they were unhappy with the organization they were a part of already? Or maybe the interested gentleman did directly pursue these guys? What's wrong with that? The fact that the former members actually decided to leave an NIC organization shows in itself that it wasn't for them and LUL can do greater things for them.
I will finish off by saying this: You will probably never witness a member of LUL deactivate themselves to become a member of another fraternity.
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truth Reply:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
In every pledge/new member/intake process one swears an allegiance until death to their Fraternity. NIC(IFC) and NPHC do not accept new members from other Fraternities. Is LUL and NALFO that desperate for membership that they accept Oath breakers?
Does being unhappy with your current organization make it acceptable to quit ones organization and join a new one? SMH.
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forbrotherhood Reply:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
"brotherhood extends beyond your immediate chapter" is not a exclusive quality of LUL. This same comment applies to many national fraternities. Thus it should not be used as an excuse to drop letters.
Lastly just so I'm clear on this, is it ok to quit a frat to join LUL?
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Hello,
I am a part of the La Unidad Latina Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. Interest Group. There are several issues that I have with the patronizing comments that have been posted. As we all know, an article can never fully convey an entire story. I was not interviewed, but I am one of the individuals who deactivated from an IFC chapter to establish this new organization.
However, I am not one to have "scholarly" debates via online platforms. If any of you would like to set up a Norbucks coffee date to discuss this article even further or to answer some of the questions you might have, please send me an e-mail: CarlosMartinez2014@u.northwestern.edu.
I am more than willing to speak to you. This comment also goes for any other "Confused", "Truth", "ForBrotherhood", or "Anonymous" out there.
Best,
Carlos Martínez Jr.
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If someone is willing to drop fraternity letters because that fraternity is not satisfying them....clearly they never earned those letters in the first place. This doesn't just say a lot about what LUL is willing to do, it also says a lot about what ever those other fraternities can't do, or won't do for their members. Any fraternal "brother" should be able to pin-point when a fellow "brother" is not happy, and should be able to fix it. Of course, if that "brother" can't tell......clearly, both parties are questionable here though...
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Aside from the petty greek-letter organizational mores and scandal, I believe there are more fundamental issues with what I have just read. First, I am appalled that any member of this university community would claim that there is a lack of Latino leadership on campus. Not only are there prominent Latino leaders on campus today, there have been numerous HIspanic/Latino, as well as Hispanic/Latina, leaders who have paved the way for us. I am speaking about members of ASG, Interfraternity Council, organizers for the Latina/o Studies Program, the founders of the Latino Alumni of Northwestern, etc. I understand if you desire to contribute another outlet for Latino leadership; I have no qualms with that. However, I will NOT allow you to believe you are reinventing the wheel.
Second, the fact that any potential member for your potential organization is citing an "elite" foundation as the main factor for interest is highly problematic. Organizations like these should serve to deconstruct, not perpetuate, the value of certain universities over others, especially with regards to men of color who are severely underrepresented in higher education. I find it troubling that what is being inferred is the value of Latinos in Ivy League schools over those who are not in top-tier undergraduate institutions. ALL men of color in higher education should be valued, including their organizational involvemenst. Latino fraternities should be empowering our brown brothers and sisters, not reinforcing the elitism of Ivy League schools, especially at a time when educational reform is desperately needed in this country.
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Sunny J. Reyna - Alpha Alpha Chapter Founder; Omega Delta Phi; Northwestern University Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
Great, well-put e-mail!!
The Sunz
Still representing at NU since November 25, 1997
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http://static.fjcdn.com/gifs/KiD_cc043e_1279669.gif
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Omega Delta Phi does more than "share an interest in Latino issues": We've been on campus for 15 years, cultivating Latino and non-Latino leadership, graduating men of color and engaging the Northwestern community and beyond. Consider our work with ETHS Latino students, our annual Silver Rose Banquet in which we award a scholarship to a female Northwestern student, our annual Cesar Chavez Day of Service. If you're going to include us at all in this myopic article, I think we deserve more than that vague graph. The biased tone of this article lends credence to Alvarez's shoddy claim that "there is a lack of Latino leadership on campus"; you might as well have included a photo shoot slideshow of these boys to go along with this great feature.
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Sunny J. Reyna - Alpha Alpha Chapter Founder; Omega Delta Phi; Northwestern University Reply:
December 3rd, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Well stated, Oliver. Mr. Kwon, please give credit where credit is due. Omega Delta Phi has been establishing leaders and traditions within NU's Latino community, as well as outside the Latino community, for 15+ years now. As a Founder of the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Delta Phi at Northwestern University, I am proud of all past, present, and future accomplishments and awards that my brothers at Northwestern University have attained. Claiming to have leadership and excellence is easy to do, when you've actually never done it at NU. Thank you.
The Sunz
Still representing at NU since November 25, 1997
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Amrit Trewn Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 1:39 am
Oliver, and "The Sunz," this article isn't about your fraternity - get over it. It's about a group of individuals who wish more Latino leaders existed on this campus and seek to increase and improve Latino leadership on this campus. Get wit it, or get lost. Nothing written here puts down your fraternity. The irony, though, is that you insist on trying to criticize this group of individuals in order to defend your fraternity or make your fraternity appear "better" in relation to LUL - how disgusting.
Be supportive of this group of young, aspiring, and inspiring students who wish to improve the social lives of current students and future students. There's no room here for narcissistic haters hating just for the sake of hating. As Sweet Brown said, "Ain't nobody got time for that!" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFEoMO0pc7k)
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Anthony Iglesias Reply:
December 5th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
While I genuinely appreciate another perspective, I believe the gentlemen are trying to highlight some of the injustice of erasing and rewriting history not only with regards to the fraternity but for a number of individuals and organizations on the campus. The irony is assuming that the publicized motives of the interest group are not illusory or not downright lies. So while I agree that these men are young and aspiring, I am not quite sure a majority of students would agree they are inspiring. And while nothing in the article explicitly disparages other organizations on campus, it is clear that they are willing to deny a history of contributions that transcends the Greek-letter community to improve their own image. You know as well as I know that shade may be thrown in the most inconspicuous manners. And as a person of color, I would request we stop engaging contemporary minstrelsy without some critical thought. But again, I think these discussions are necessary, as painful and personal they may be. So thank you, Amrit.
Whatsoever things are true.
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Amrit Trewn Reply:
December 6th, 2012 at 3:16 am
Your assumption, then, is that these individuals are erasing and rewriting histories of Latino leadership on this campus. However, this article only writes on how these individuals want more Latino leaders - and I'm sure we can see the lack of Latino leaders on campus (i.e. this happens: “After my freshman and sophomore year, I really wished there were individuals out there who reached out to me to really sort of push me"). How are they erasing or rewriting history?
Your assumption goes even further, actually, in assuming that these individuals are solely interested in improving their own image. Such an assumption is misguided. More particularly, I argue that:
1) No indication is given here to suggest so - personal feelings are being projected onto your reading of this article.
2) Even so, you cannot separate self interest from conscious actions - all Greek affiliated students utilize the system to improve their social image, these individuals are not unique in that regard.
3) Improving one's social image is not necessarily bad.
As a person of color as well (though, being of color has no relevance in highlighting the problematics of contemporary minstrelsy...), I must point out that Sweet Brown said, "I ain't got time for that." I include that clip because she articulated my feelings well: "I ain't got time for that." For you to call that engaging contemporary minstrelsy is to effectively call her a minstrel - only then would engagement with the video be an engagement with contemporary minstrelsy. My interest in her performance (we're all performers in my world) is not in parallels drawn between her and a minstrel (as your fascination with it is) - my interest is in her blunt, frustrated, distraught statement, "I ain't got time for that."
Thanks for engaging me in discussion. I like being forced to think through these kinds of thoughts.
Oliver Ortega Reply:
December 12th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Apologies for seeing this late in the game, but I think your reply to my comment merits an articulate response, despite my tardiness.
You are correct Amrit: This article isn't about my fraternity. Being a reporter myself, I really appreciate a story that gets the fact straight. Therefore, I sought to highlight shortcomings in the factuality of this one.
The big, headline-changing truth left out of the original version of this article in the paper and online was that Omega Delta Phi was in fact the first Latino fraternity on campus— something any decent cub reporter would have found out with a little research. As you can see, there is a correction at the bottom of the article. It is actually only partially correct, because we are no longer formally Latino-based. Our organization became multicultural a few years ago in order to expand our horizons and the men we serve. But we remain in practice Latino-based, even on this campus, and have sought to serve the needs of this community at Northwestern and beyond. Anyone with knowledge of the multicultural and Latino community would know that, and so I resist being pigeonholed as a group that merely “share an interest in Latino issues.”
As a Brother and member of the Latino community, I will not stand by an article (the original version) in our college newspaper that will erase and rewrite history, as Anthony put it. Again, I simply called out the shortcomings of this article, which paints a landscape consistent with Alavarez’s claim that there is a lack of Latino leadership. And not only is the bit on our fraternity negligent, there is also no mention of our two Latina sororities, which for about a decade have been cultivating leadership through Greek life as well. Context is everything.
While I agree that it's great that a new group of men come on campus and share a space Omega Delta Phi has inhabited for 15 years, I must repeat that it’s highly troubling that they cite a lack of leadership on campus as their primary motivation, instead of pointing to a need to increase options or improve what’s already there; ignoring contributions made by our fraternity, by our two Latina sororities, by the Latina/o Studies department, HLSA, Latino professors, by people I have come to know in my 2.5 years here, etc. My opinion is not informed only by this article, but also by my personal encounters and knowledge of these individuals. Alvarez has specifically said he does not respect our fraternity, and so it is with that knowledge that I take his “lack of leadership” comment with its full weight.
“Disgusting” is a strong word for my comment. “Laughable” is appropriate for yours. The pretense of authority and knowledge in your comments, especially with regards to the Latino and multicultural Greek community— how laughable.
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Amrit Trewn Reply:
December 13th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Oliver,
I'll make this short. That factual error was acknowledged and rectified. It also is not at the fault of the members of LUL. The Daily is infamous for bad reporting, what's new there? Send the editors an angry letter - don't direct your anger at these individuals. Demand better reporting. Perhaps, consider writing for them. You, also, are frustrated that individuals on this campus think there is a lack of Latino leadership (which doesn't assume that Latino leaders don't exist - just that there aren't many) - I suggest you embrace LUL and their organizational goal. As for your non-academic, uncritical, unthoughtful personal jabs at me: "fire away, fire away..." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRfuAukYTKg).
Carlos Martínez Reply:
December 13th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Since the use of "lack" has been so controversial, let us take a look at the definition of the word:
lack
noun /lak/
lacks, plural
The state of being without or not having enough of something
Clearly, Sergio meant the latter. Why would anyone discredit the efforts of other members of our community? Sergio, in particular, has been heavily involved with many of the Latino organizations and programs you mentioned. I think we can all agree that there is plenty of room for more male Latino leadership both within the Latino community at Northwestern and throughout the rest of the university. As a Latino and as a member of this community, Oliver, I would have assumed that is something you are in favor of, no?
Moreover, we do not limit ourselves to a strict Latino membership. Anyone is welcome to inquire about and join our interest group. Our goal is to cultivate leadership both on and off campus while promoting our underrepresented cultures. It is not to segregate the Northwestern community. Our group has an explicit interest in Latino culture, not Latino members.
When we decided to found this group, we reached out to your organization to inform you about what we were doing and why we were doing it. We met with your former President, Michael Belmonte, who fully supported our initiative. So why the sudden change of heart?
This is petty. Both of our groups serve as resources within the university, particularly within the minority community. Let's embrace that and drop the drama.
And again, if anyone would like to meet with me personally to learn more about this group and clear up any misconceptions that have come up as a result of this article, feel free to e-mail me:
CarlosMartinez2014@u.northwestern.edu
Wishing all readers a very happy holiday season.
Oy Vey Reply:
December 13th, 2012 at 7:04 pm
That's because there are no real Black and Latino leaders on this campus, only pretentious and overly pedantic bloggers and tumblrs. There aren't many Blacks and Latinos on campus to begin with
Congrats to LUL. Alpha Phi Alpha, the first African American fraternity, was established at NU in 1922 and celebrated 90 years at NU at homecoming. Wishing LUL 90 years as well.
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Once a Pike, Always a Pike right Brother Carlos?
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Apparently not.
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They seem to be doing a lot of work, but why did they have to leave IFC to do it? Doesn't IFC have more members? Wouldn't that work have more of an impact in IFC? I don't feel like they should have felt the need to leave to be able to that great stuff like promote culture. Promoting it within IFC would be very useful and could affect more people that need it more.
I appreciate the offer to meet for coffee, but rest assured I am not trying to assault you personally, Carlos. I am posing these questions for the public to ponder. Latino leadership can happen anywhere - Latino leadership should not be exclusive to Latino fraternities. I think IFC could use more diverse leaders to make us stronger.
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Excellent point, "Why Leave?"
I promised myself that I wouldn't feed the fire, that I wouldn't give in to the trolling that occurs on these online mediums. I told myself that if anyone truly wanted to know more about MY values, MY experiences, and MY decision that they could contact ME personally.
But your question needs to be answered because it is the epitome of the ignorance that exists in this institution and in this country. You are too privileged to understand my perspective. You think it's easy for me to just march right into an organization where I am clearly the minority (1 of 1.5 Latinos) and change an entire culture?!
First and foremost, let me say that the leadership we are trying to cultivate in our members isn't inherent to the Latino community. On the contrary, we want our members to step outside of the bubble and set an example all over campus.
What do I mean? I want our members to be PROUD of the fact that they are Latino and not feel like they have to be limited to the interests of the supreme white culture.
And let me not limit this discussion to race. I would also want our members to be proud of whatever it is they are. As a poor, Latino college student, I didn't feel that way in IFC.
I couldn't play Spanish music at a party. I couldn't talk Spanish without being labeled "Mexican" which I am NOT! I struggled to pay dues. I felt the need to wear Ralph Lauren Polo because that's what everyone else was wearing.
So why did I choose to start another culturally-based organization? I can name hundreds of reasons but the main one is that culturally-based organizations imply that culture is important and it should never be something you should be ashamed of.
Another reason is because of people like you. People who say what you just said.
Why does IFC need to be "stronger"? Why do we all have to join IFC? Why don't white people join LUL? Or ODPhi? Or LTA? Or SLG? Or SYZ? or KPL? or AKA? or DST? or Sigmas? or Alphas? Do you even know what all of those acronyms or nicknames stand for?
If you want more diverse leaders, why don't you go out of your way to get them? Instead of throwing money around and renting extravagant hotels for formals with tons of alcohol... why don't you just go to an Alianza meeting? Or a FMO meeting? I'll tell you why... because you don't care enough.
No worries. You're probably going to come up with a counter-argument instead of truly absorbing what I'm saying.
Again, if you or anyone else wants to set up a Norbucks coffee date, I'm more than willing to meet with you: CarlosMartinez2014@u.northwestern.edu
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Is that why you used to brag about being friends with "Chet Haze?" You're a mess.
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For some more background information to those who may or may not know.
http://www.northwestern.edu/gogreek/community/history/2000-current.html
http://dailynorthwestern.com/2005/02/02/archive-manual/latino-houses-focus-on-cultural-diversity-service/
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I find it interesting that you chose to respond to an educated comment by labeling it's author as ignorant and then proceeded to use stereotypes, misguided cultural values, as well as assumptions of the author's race and socioeconomic status in your response. You not only personally attacked the author, but also showed the "the epitome of ignorance" which is what you claimed to be battling.
I cannot speak to you experiences with the IFC fraternity that you are a member of, however I can say that as a Latino no one has ever made me ashamed of my culture. My identity and sense of pride comes not from what others say, but rather from what it is that I do. If your reason for dropping your letters and joining another fraternity were as trivial as not being able to use your play list at a party or speak to someone in another language then you will probably find your new "brotherhood" lacking as well.
I wish LUL the best in their journey at NU. I am sure that they will provide you ample room to express your limited view of culture, leadership, and sense of worth inside their organization. I however, will continue to support my Omega Delta Phi brothers and alumni at Northwestern because we embrace everyone for their differences and see them as valued attributes rather than markers that set us apart. That is why we have evolved into a multicultural fraternity and continuously serve as leaders on not only Northwestern's campus, but campuses across the nation.
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Amrit Trewn Reply:
December 6th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
1) Not being able play multicultural music or speak to someone in another language is a micro-level example representative of macro-level problem: that you must assimilate into white culture and either disacknowledge your non-white identity or let it be the source of fetishization (i.e. tokenization)
2) No one is asking you to discontinue your support of ODPhi. This organization seeks to make room for more Latino leaders with a specific emphasis on cultivating leaders that are visible outside of the multicultural community. Moving on...
3) Carlos makes some very good points, especially towards the end of his comment. They seem to have been skipped over - I encourage a re-reading without the expectation of personally attacking him afterwards.
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