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Latino Fraternity Joins GU Greek Groups

Online Exclusive

Hoya Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Updated: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 02:04

Six students became the first-ever pledge line of the Georgetown colony of the Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Sunday, inaugurating the Latino fraternity’s presence on campus.

Founding member Alberto Morales (NHS ’12), who has been working with Phi Iota Alpha representatives since last August to establish Georgetown’s colony, said that the fraternity will bring to Latino students institutional support that the university does not provide.

“The reason that I decided to bring this specific chapter is because I personally saw some of my friends drop out of Georgetown and struggle a lot, and I couldn’t understand why,” Morales said. “We want to use [PIA] as a powerhouse to find innovative ways to unite the Latino community and all of Georgetown.”

Phi Iota Alpha strives to develop leadership and unite the Latino community, a mission the Georgetown colony aims to extend to people of all races and backgrounds. Despite Phi Iota Alpha’s Latino origins, Morales emphasized the importance of opening the fraternity to all students at Georgetown.

“Although this can be very successful, if we only welcome Latinos, then we are doing exactly what other clubs do,” Morales said.

Drawn to the fraternity because of its focus on personal improvement, new pledge Antony López (COL ’14) is excited to serve as an example for other students.

Martin Rincon (COL ’15), another brother, particularly enjoyed the pledging process. “You … build a friendship that’s really strong,” he said.

Because the university traditionally does not support Greek organizations, the group will not seek or receive funding or recognition from the Student Activities Council, instead looking to Greek organization councils for funding.

“This is a grassroots movement because it is an independent project,” Morales said. “We hope that Georgetown can fund us one day, because we believe this will add value to the community.”

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9 comments

SoObvious
Thu Apr 26 2012 21:32
@bienvenidos..."As a head of one of the Latino orgs on campus, I welcome all new Latino orgs! (new Greeks and even the new Mexican club and Hilltop Tacos!" aka Tony Lopez

OBVIOUSLY, PIA has resorted to having their own members mask as anonymous supporters in order to appear like they have a following. Its cute, but desperate

Anonymous
Thu Apr 26 2012 01:30
"As a Non-Greek, I am already annoyed by PIA's claims of helping the Latino community by providing "institutional support" and "innovative ways to unite the Latino community" at Georgetown. As individuals they have not shown any hints of such actions. Their senior ran MEChA to the ground last spring as Co-Chair, forcing SAC to take away MEChA's benefits."

Thank you for finally speaking the truth. Alberto Morales's responses are completely insincere and false. I genuinely hope the members returning in the fall work hard to have a strong presence on campus, not in numbers, but through action; That is how they will earn respect and support from the Latino community on campus. Good luck to them.

Bienvenidos
Wed Apr 25 2012 16:08
As a head of one of the Latino orgs on campus, I welcome all new Latino orgs! (new Greeks and even the new Mexican club and Hilltop Tacos!) As stated before, "as long as you keep working to improve minority retention at Georgetown you know you are doing the right thing".
I hope the Latino community continues to support each other! Haters who think that new orgs or even certain campus leaders are hurting Georgetown are obviously not involved enough in the community to see the contributions from all organizations!
Confused
Wed Apr 25 2012 11:17
How the heck did they book Gaston? I thought only certain clubs could do that? Nice
Ice
Wed Apr 25 2012 11:15
SKATE SKATE SKATE #NoRespect
Luke
Wed Apr 25 2012 10:44
Great article. I look forward to seeing great things from the Georgetown Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha. It is wonderful to finally have a truly professional Latino Fraternity on campus. I see from the above post you are already a threat to some people on campus, but you will always have negative people out there but as long as you keep working to improve minority retention at Georgetown you know you are doing the right thing.
Anonymous
Wed Apr 25 2012 07:33
.....someone got dropped....
LOL
Wed Apr 25 2012 01:59
Cool Story Bro! Don't get me started on LUL.
Anonymous
Tue Apr 24 2012 16:47
After reading the article, it has become apparent that the this new group is in for a few shockers. In order for a Greek organization to establish a chapter, its respective education institution must recognize it. Since Georgetown does not recognize Greek life, PIA at Georgetown is floating in limbo. Technically, it does not even exist. Obviously, Alberto does not know his facts when he says "I decided to bring this specific chapter." He is already calling his group a chapter when they are barely a colony. Older members should have educated him, but obviously they failed.

Again, PIA proved their ignorance. Saying that PIA "will look" to get funds from the "Greek organization councils", made me laugh. What Greek council? According to current Student Life guidelines, Greek orgs are exclusive and do not adhere to the mission of Georgetown. Since Georgetown does not recognize multi-cultural Greeks, no Greek council exists. Other Greek organizations already function at Georgetown. I highly doubt another org with funny hand signs will change the system.

As a Non-Greek, I am already annoyed by PIA's claims of helping the Latino community by providing "institutional support" and "innovative ways to unite the Latino community" at Georgetown. As individuals they have not shown any hints of such actions. Their senior ran MEChA to the ground last spring as Co-Chair, forcing SAC to take away MEChA's benefits. One of their sophomores popped out of thin air and has not been involved in any Latino club on campus, while the other excludes others with his "Chicano" radical journey. As I am Catholic, may God be with their 3 freshmen, because they have no idea what they are doing or what they got themselves in to.

Call me a hater but I am annoyed by Greek organizations claiming to be the "saviors" of the community. All I am saying is that they better live up to all their talk because they already look like fools and they've only just begun.





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