The University of Idaho Argonaut

While spending a summer in Texas selling books door to door, Jose Barajas found himself standing face to face with a brother.
Although he knew they were not related by blood, Barajas said he felt a strong family connection. Had he not been passing through, Barajas said this complete stranger would have invited him in and graciously given him a place to stay for the night.

It is not uncommon to see this type of hospitality among fraternity brothers, especially those from a number of multicultural brotherhoods like the one with which Barajas pledged, Omega Delta Phi.

“We’re not mainstream,” he said. “We don’t see it like that.”
The fraternity doesn’t live together in a house, Barajas said, but bonds between him and his pledge mates are strong. And with chapters popping up around the U.S., their network is growing.

Omega Delta Phi is one of several multicultural fraternity and sorority chapters at the University of Idaho. All six will meet up during the Multicultural Greek Council’s fall barbecue tomorrow to give interested students the opportunity to learn more
and sign up.

The MGC was created to unite multicultural Greek life while focusing on community service, academic success and cultural values.
Like other multicultural groups, philanthropies like cleaning parks, helping the elderly and hosting blood drives are regular events for Barajas said members of Omega Delta Phi.

“It’s the best thing I’ve done in my life,” he said. “It gave me a chance to get out of my shell and interact with other people on campus.”
Members of the Delta Eta Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. will also be attending the barbecue. The academic-based sorority was established in New Jersey in 1975 as the first sorority designed to unite Latina women in their quest for higher education.

The sorority has a strong focus on activism within the community, cultural and political awareness and empowerment, said Amy Hernandez, a founding sister of the chapter.
The Delta Eta Chapter participates in many philanthropic activities relating to women’s issues. Last year the chapter wrote a grant that fully funded the Embellish Brazier project, which brought local artists together to create their own bra designs. All proceeds of the project were donated to Gritman Medical Center to help women in need of health screenings.

Hernandez said the chapter is not limited to activities that cater specifically to women. The chapter also works with Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse and the UI’s counseling center. Hernandez said the chapter regularly welcomes guest speakers to discuss issues regardless of race or gender.

“We have a clear understanding that certain issues can happen to men,” she said. “We really like to just work with anything that will let us communicate with people.”
During the barbecue, each member of the council will have a chance to speak about their specific fraternity or sorority, mission statement and how to pledge.
Victor Mazo, vice president and founder of Lambda Theta Phi, said the barbecue will be beneficial to his fraternity because most students aren’t aware that organizations like Lambda Theta Phi exist.

Currently, the fraternity has only two members. As vice president, treasurer and secretary of the fraternity, Mazo said the hours of involvement can be taxing. However, seven students are currently active within the chapter’s interest group, and are hopeful to pledge.

To become a member, interested students must first work with the chapter’s interest group conducting various community service projects. Once those projects are complete, members of the interest group can pledge.
Like most of the organizations within the MGC, Lambda Theta Phi does not recruit based on race.
“We’re very diverse and that is what I love about it,” Mazo said.