Spring 2011 - Phiota Magazine

PHIOTA! T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F P H I I O T A A L P H A F R A T E R N I T Y, I N C .

Spring 2011

www.phiota.info

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 9322 3rd Avenue Suite 412 Brooklyn, New York 11209

Contents

From The Editor

PHIOTA! * SPRING 2011 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1

PHIOTA NEWS ARTICLES National Management Francisco Lugo Executive Director Jorlui Sillau Director of Human Resources

As the spring semester comes to a close around the country, I would like to congratulate all the brothers graduating this semester. Finishing college is definitely a milestone any brother can appreciate but the message I’d like to leave for those of you still in school is this: Make sure you are pursuing a degree that you have an innate desire in and take that desire, as well as yourself, very seriously. College was a time for fun I know I’ll never have again, but it was also a time where I found out what it was I wanted out of this life. It’s great to be part of the Phiota! Magazine staff, not only because of the potential of this magazine but because I’m doing something I love. I hope everyone enjoys the articles we got for you in this issue and I hope that brothers will come to find this magazine as more of a tool for connection and insight to what’s going on around the country.

Keep reading……

Ramsey R. Rodriguez

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Michael Rivera Director of Operations and Information Services Bernie Rebollar Director of Marketing Rafael Arciga Garcia Director of Member Services Charles Duran Director of Recruitment Noe Favela Director of Treasury

Phiota! Magazine Team Publications Manager Steven L. Garza spaniard@phiota.org Editor Ramsey Rodriguez Azar@phiota.org Designer Mark Melchor Natividad@phiota.org

Phi Iota Alpha Wins NALFO Top Awards Pg. 2

-PHIOTA wins four awards at NALFO banquet -Brother named President of NALFO

PHIOTA Achievements

Pg. 5

CHAPTER AND COLONY NEWS Southwest Province

Pg. 11

Stepping and Strolling; is it really in our roots?

Pg. 15 West Province

Pg. 14

Midwest Province

Pg. 18

Northeast Province

Pg. 25

-Awards given to chapters/colonies

The Start of a ‘New Era’

-By Javier ‘Albizualta’ Cruz -The Story of the ‘NEW ERA’ Phiota hat

-By Ramio ‘Retorico’ Funez -A brother’s opinion on Latino/a Organizations stepping and strolling

Convention Guide

Pg. 7

-Get Ready for Miami -Do’s and Don’ts for Miami

Pg. 19

From the Archives ‘Phiota’s Core Major’ Pg. 28

-By Alberto ‘Demasiado’ Elvira -A history lesson of PHI I A

-UHD Phiotas Taking Over Houston -LSU Building Better Lives -Lamar Colony Wins Big -Texas State on US and Mexico Relations -Alpha Eta Brother Pledges at 43 Years Old

-Epsilon Project UJIMA

-Denison brother wins Highest University Award

-Alpha Gamma’s 10 Year Banquet -Hartford Brothers Talk Human Trafficking -Alpha Zeta’s Midnight Run -Delta and Eta Dominos Tournament

The PHIOTA! is a quarterly professional magazine based on the ideals of the pillars of Fi Iota Alfa. It is the official publication of Phi iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the ldest existing Latino fraternity, established in December 26, 1931 in Troy, New York, with its roots beginning in 1898. All articles express the opinions of the authors, and not the fraternity, unless stated otherwise.

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 9322 3rd Avenue, Suite 412, Brooklyn, New York 11209

Spring 2011

www.phiota.info

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PHI IOTA ALPHA WINS NALFO TOP AWARDS Atlanta, Georgia – Apr. 2011 Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. won the prestigious NALFO Fraternal Organization of the Year Award at NALFO’s annual business meeting. Winners were announced at the NALFO awards banquet this past weekend.

These awards are the culmination of several years of effort and strategic initiatives that our members and leadership have undertaken to strengthen the bonds of fellowship. The Brothers of Phi Iota Alpha humbly accepted these awards. We would like to thank NALFO for recognizing all of our efforts and wish to congratulate all other NALFO award recipients.

The NALFO National Fraternal Organization of the Year is awarded in recognition of an organization that has demonstrated excellence in: • Promoting academic achievement within the organization • Promotion of community service and philanthropic endeavors • Commitment to maintaining the highest integrity among their undergrads, chapters & alumni

Phi Iota Alpha’s Executive Director, Francisco “Pancho” Lugo won two

prestigious NALFO awards at the annual business meeting and gala. Francisco took home the Organizational Leadership Excellence of the Year and Professional of the Year awards.

Francisco holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Communication and a Master of Science in Education in College Student Personnel from the University of Dayton. Francisco currently works as Assistant Director of Student Activities for Student Programs at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The Organizational Leadership Excellence of the Year is awarded in recognition of an alumnus/alumnae who has demonstrated their commitment to their organization and the Latino Greek community through their service in leadership positions in their organization or the Latino Greek community as a whole.

The Professional of the Year is awarded in recognition of established professionals or entrepreneurs who embody the standards of the Latino Greek community through their professional accomplishments and community involvement.

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Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. also won the prestigious NALFO National Philanthropic Organization of the Year Award. The philanthropy award is the culmination of a year’s worth of strategic initiatives designed to improve the fraternity’s charitable efforts. These include providing better service to the brotherhood’s national philanthropic partner UNICEF. By making more of an impact within the communities UNICEF serves, Phi Iota Alpha encourages alumni involvement and reinforces the fraternity’s culture of charity and community service amongst its members. Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. thanks NALFO for recognizing these great strides.

The NALFO National Philanthropic Organization of the Year is awarded in recognition of an organization that has demonstrated excellence in: • Promoting of community service and philanthropic endeavors at the national level • Participation of community service outside of their respective organizations • Proven success of national community service programming • Participation of NALFO philanthropic events

Dr. Juan R. “Varadero” Guardia, Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Adjunct Faculty in the Higher Education Program at the Florida State University has been selected as a Chairman of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.

The new Chairman was selected by national representatives from the 19 NALFO member Latino/a fraternities and sororities at the annual business meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Prior to his election Dr. Guardia had served as NALFO’s Vice Chairman. The current term for NALFO Chair will last for two years; untill 2013.

Dr Guardia expressed his gratitude over Twitter after his election: “I am humbled to be elected as NALFO Chair for the 2011-2013 term. I look forward to working & serving all 19 member organizations.”

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PHIOTA ACHIEVEMENTS Presented to Phi Iota Alpha

Phi Iota Alpha has donated $1,000.00 to Japanese tsunami victims.

Alpha Zeta

Student Leadership Award

Alpha Mu Chapter

Artes Award Greek Relations Excellence Award Leadership Excellence Award Philanthropy Excellence Award Campus Involvement Excellence Award New Member of the Year Award: Jesid Acosta Man of the Year Award: Marco Blanco Chapter President of the Year: Sebastian Leon Highest GPA of All Greek organizations at FSU – Fall 2010 2010 Chapter of the Year

Gamma Chapter

Fraternity of the Year

Lamar University Colony

Outstanding Community Service Outstanding Chapter President Outstanding Executive Officer Outstanding New Member

Louisiana State University Colony

Order of Omega: Sam “Gringuito” Wheelock

Denison University Colony

Distinguished Leadership Award: Steven “Eclipse”

University of Houston Downtown Colony Best New Organization

Georgia Southern University Colony Highest GPA

Send awards and recognitions to awards@phiota.org

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Board of Trustee Nominations

The fraternity is now accepting Board of Trustees (BOT) nominations for the 2011-12 period.

Nominees will be reviewed and accepted by the BOT before the 2011 National Convention. Official trustee candidates will be presented online to the membership for consideration. Trustees will serve a three (3) year term on the Board. If you are interested in being nominated or would like to nominate a brother, please refer to the information below and complete the attached form and send it to the Executive Director, FranciscoLugo at pancho@phiota.org.

Responsibilities:

“The Board of Trustees shall be composed of at least five and no more than thirteen alumni members of the Fraternity and shall oversee and govern the affairs of the organization.” [Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Policies, v011511 Article VI, Section 3a” “In the exercise of its responsibility and authority, the Board of Trustees determines policy; reviews existing policy; periodically evaluates the National Executive Staff and Management of the organization; approves the mission, role and scope of the organization and each of its major divisions; and provides ultimate accountability to the active members of the organization. Any authority delegated by the Board shall be subject to the ultimate authority of the Board. Chairman of the Board of Trustees shall be able to form committees. An Executive Committee will be formed to represent the Board in meetings with the National Management team. This Executive Committee will at a minimum include the Chairman plus additional Board members required.

“Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Policies, v011511, Article VI, Sections 5b”

Eligibility:

To be eligible to become a Trustee, you must have served as an Executive officer or have served a total of at least 3 years in the position of Regional Director or higher (Governor, Director, former National Executive Board member, i.e. Secretary General, National Secretary) Five years of Professional Experience which may be substituted for years of service to the fraternity at the discretion of the BOT, particularly with the completion of graduate work. A professional and fraternal resume accompanied by an in-depth fraternal cover letter will also be required.

Nomination Process:

Any brother in good standing may nominate himself or any other brother in good standing for a seat on the Board of Trustees (BOT). Complete online form including: Professional and Fraternal Resume, Intent Letter, and Public Statement of Purpose.

BOT Nominee Review: May 1 – May 31st Decision on BOT candidacy from BOT: No later than July 1, 2011, 11:59pm EST

Elections:

“The current Trustees shall report one or more qualified candidates for consideration by the voting members.

“Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Policies, v011511, Article VI, Sections 3a-g”. Active members will elect their desired candidate to the BOT via a secure, electronic voting system. Elections will be held during the week of July 1723.

For more information or questions please contact: Francisco Lugo Executive Director pancho@phiota.org Spring 2011

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The Start of a ‘New Era’ By: Javier “Albizualta” Cruz

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Do you remember that first piece of apparel you bought finishing your process?

I know I do.

All of the hard work it took to reach that point, I just could not wait to get on campus and show the world “I did it.” As I got older, I wore apparel less as a way of showing the world what I had done, and more as way of showing pride for what my fraternity had done for me, and what the letters stood for. Greek apparel, for the most part, is an external representation of the hard work and dedication it took to earn your letters and of the pride and love you have for your organization.

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These three Greek letters are a symbol that can take a regular shirt, hat or jacket and turn them into so much more.

They can act as a bridge between generations, races, languages and cultures. It was with that in mind that brother Giovi “Libra” Ulloa (Sp. 2000 Omicron Chapter at NYU) and I started Sons of 31 Ltd., a Greek apparel company specializing in hats.

Like so many other brothers, the first thing that Giovi and I did when we crossed was go out and buy as much apparel as we could get our hands on.

Some came from online stores, others from Greek Apparel stores, and some we created ourselves. There was, however, one thing that always stood out to us, and that was the lack of design, quality, and uniformity there was with our apparel around the nation. When we started Sons of 31 Ltd., we knew that the corner stone and driving force behind what we wanted to do would be quality and design.

We wanted to approach Greek apparel the way any regular clothing brand would approach a new project; with design at the heart of each piece.

In order to throw our hat in the ring, we knew we would have to do something that caught the eye of all Greek organizations, something that had not been done before.

This is exactly what we have done. After months of negotiations with the executive body of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. and New Era, Sons of 31 Ltd. is very proud to introduce the first ever official Fraternal x New Era Fitted Cap.

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Full circle for RPI grad’s long-lost ring Thoughtful beachcomber returns jewelry lost by RPI grad 50 years ago

Juan Gonzalez wears a large ring with a red stone on his right hand. Cracks and a story line run through it.

Now 83, he still remembers what the ring felt like the first time it slipped off. It was June 1959. Gonzalez was splashing in the waves with his three children in the water behind the Caribe Hilton Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He dove down 5 feet with his snorkel to look for the ring.

His friends ran over to help. They were all bobbing in the water and running their hands through the soft sand.

Nothing.

The class ring Gonzalez had worn since his 1949 graduation from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was gone. Class rings don’t mean as much to today’s college students. But for Gonzalez, 31 at the time, it wasn’t just a sparkling hunk of red garnet, it was like his diploma.

“A class ring at that time, it was a fulfillment of our work as a student,” he said. “The fulfillment of our young ideals.” It was essentially a second wedding ring. It reminded him of the time he was courting his wife.

Back then, he never took the ring off. It wasn’t something he could ever replace.But he never forgot it. He had three more children. A man went to the moon. Gonzalez took over his family’s fertilizer business in Puerto Rico.

The U.S. went to war, three times. Gonzalez became a grandfather, nine times over. And, along the way, there were great technologic advances in the equipment that the average person can use to cultivate a hobby in underwater metal detection.

Bill Dobbretz, a FedEx pilot, invested in it. And in April 2009, he had an unexpected layover in San Juan, a place he didn’t usually land. He rented a room at the Hilton, and waded into the water to his waist. He heard a beep and pulled out of the sea for the first time in half a century what looked like a red stone covered in coral, metal and stone to him. An old man’s youth to Juan Gonzalez, whose name was inscribed inside.

Dobbretz contacted RPI’s alumni relations office, who tracked down Gonzalez. The pilot cleaned the ring himself so it shined again. He sent it, via FedEx, to Gonzalez at his home in Miami.

Dobbretz said he was just grateful for the thanks. Other people he reunited with their lost rings never got back in touch.

Gonzalez’s ring is fragile now, and it has cracks. He only wears it on special occasions, like when he’s back at the school that shaped the course of his life. On Wednesday, Gonzalez wore his ring as he shared his story with RPI’s class of 2012 during the Junior Ring Ceremony where they put on their own rings for the first time.

Be careful with the things you value.

What’s easy to lose, after all, can be hard to find.

Orginally publised by Times Union Reprinted with promission

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O My GOD! PHIOTA’S IN THE HOUSE!

by Carlos ‘Suazo’ Villegas

HOUSTON, TX. Houston is home to countless universities.

Whether it be the University of Houston school system, Texas Southern University, Houston Baptist University, Rice University, or surrounding schools such as Prairie View University, Greek life is not a new ordeal to the city. However, Phiotas are new to Houston, at least when it comes to undergrads. Just like Houston is home to countless universities, Houston is also home to around over fifty alumni brothers of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. The irony in this fact is that just seven months ago, there was no chapter or colony of Phi Iota Alpha established in any of the before mentioned schools. With great strength, integrity, and perseverance of friendship, Houston is now booming with undergraduates and events sponsored by the Oldest Latino Fraternity in Existence. Whether it is mixers with well established organizations, community service events focused towards children seven and younger, or fundraisers to promote the work of UNICEF, the undergraduate members of Phi Iota Alpha have made Houston, TX a home for one of the most prestigious fraternities in the nation.

PHIOTA TIGER BUILD BEtTER LIVES

By Daniel ‘Chistiano‘ Toro

Greek Week is a community project in which LSU Greek Life partners up with the Baton Rouge chapter of Habitat for Humanity to build two houses in one week at the Rosewood subdivision and this year more than $121,000 was raised and participation record by Greeks was yet again broken.

“I can say that my Greek week experience was very fun and exciting,” brother, Oscar Melendez mentioned.

He describes his experiences: “First, I arrived for my designated shift at 8 a.m. and got on the bus at the TKE/SAE parking lot. Appropriate name tags and correspondent fraternity stickers were handed so the coordinators of Greek week and others participating could identify us. We were asked to lay sod around the newly built houses done by other Greeks earlier in the week.

We got gloves and ‘had at it’ until we were finished. While doing this, we talked with several sorority girls since we were the only men there. After we finished our task, we started painting the houses and caulking the roof. I definitely had fun helping the community and meeting more Greeks. It was a nice friendly environment and it was nice to see us, the LSU Greek community, come together for a common purpose of helping families. We are giving these families a new home and a brand new, safe neighborhood to live in and I know I will be forever proud of what we had accomplished during that week. At the end of the shift, we all came together to inaugurate the newly built houses of the two families. We all said a prayer and blessed the homes and the families that were going to live there. It goes to show that when we all work together we accomplish great things.

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Young Leones, Taking Over The Jungle

By Pedro ‘ Pica Piedra’ Deharo

After only two semesters of showing their presence at Lamar University, the distinguished Dons take home four Greek awards for Chapter President, Outstanding Executive Officer, Outstanding New Member, and, as a colony, received an award for Outstanding Community Service. The Lamar Phiotas have asserted their presence in Lamar Greek Life and they have proved that they are here to stay. Individual recipients of these awards were Luis Lopez for Chapter President, Arturo Ortega for Outstanding Executive Officer, Manuel Mandujano for Outstanding New Member. Congratulations brothers and keep up the solid work.

Texas State On U.S. & Mexico Relations

-by Nathan ‘Chapo’ Salazar

On Mar. 3, 2011, the Dons of Texas State University presented a major event on campus titled “U.S. & Mexico Relations” hosted by Jim Kuykendall, the U.S. consulate of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Mr. Kuykendall gave an impressive presentation with a focus on immigration, politics, drug trafficking, and the economy between the Unites States and Mexico. As a Hispanic

Serving Institution, some of these statistics were surprising to our audience including myself. In economic terms, good relations with the United States have long been critical for Mexico, given that its northern neighbor is its principal trading partner, both for exports and imports. For its part, the United States gives serious consideration to its relations with Mexico because of Mexico’s strategic location on the United States’ southern border as well as the fact that Mexico has the largest oil deposits in Latin America. We constantly hear the saying that “Mexico can’t advance as a nation without the help of United States,” but it’s vice versa that the United States can’t advance as a nation without help of Mexico as Mr. Kuykendall pointed out.

Relations between the countries often have been characterized by conflict. We often see this stereotype as Americans in the ongoing drug war Mexico faces. Drug trafficking is a pressing issue for both Mexico, as a producer and point of entry of the drug trade from South America into the United States drug market, and the United States, as a major consumer.

“The trafficking of drugs would not exist without the enormous and growing market in the United States,” Mr. Kuykendall stated, thus implying that responsibility fall on Mexico’s northern neighbor. Nevertheless, the corruption and crime provoked by the growing drug business in Mexico have led the Mexican government to take domestic antidrug measures as stated by Jim Kuykendall.

The presentation was followed by a 25 minute discussion panel opened to the audience. One thing is for certain; the two countries are going to have to cooperate to fix the ongoing problem of drugs and immigration. A crowd of 100 plus left with the realization that relations between the U.S. & Mexico affects everyone not, just Latinos and Latinas.

One notable figure in the audience was mayor of San Marcos, Daniel Guerrero.

We also had regional support from the Alpha Eta Chapter from UTSA and the University of Texas Colony in. The event was a great success and the Dons of Texas State are making a statement that they are the premiere fraternity on campus.

Southwest Province

Southwest Province

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Ramsey ‘Azar’ Rodriguez

After he puts on a shirt, hat, and tiki sporting the letters of Phi I A, the last words that go through Enrique Martinez’s mind is the fashion faux paux, multi-Greeking.

Enrique, along with two other individuals, became a brother of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity spring 2010 semester but even more intriguing than his nonchalance to this fashion stereotype is the fact that this fraternal neophyte is older than both of his line brothers combined. “I do it so people can see who I am and what I represent,” Enrique said.

Commonly seen as a tacky practice, multi-Greeking is the act of dawning more than one article of clothing or accessory representing one’s Greek letters.

What at first was looked down upon by his chapter brothers has become a positive staple in Enrique’s everyday practices.

Along with two line brothers, the ex-marine crossed into the realm of Phi Iota Alpha as the ace of the line at the age of 43.

Enrique first started college in the spring of 1988 at the age of 19.

Entering his second year in the Marine Corps, Enrique just returned from a one year deployment in Okinawa, Japan when he was reassigned to Camp Pendleton in southern California.

“Being on my own and single was particularly stressful but I also saw it as a way to expand my horizons,” Enrique said. “It was when I started to really develop my personality and 13

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“The best experience I had there was my first Mardi Gras at Fat Tuesday and spending all day on Bourbon Street,” Enrique said, relishing in his memories. “Beside the fun, it was a good life experience because of the culture of the city.”

Being young and in the military, coupled with the lifestyle of New Orleans would soon cause Enrique’s marriage to dissolve. Although divorced, Enrique received several merits for performance in the

service. He would be reassigned again to Camp Pendleton where he would take a two year hiatus from his schooling but, in 1995, he was assigned a recruiting job in south Texas. Working in the Rio Grande Valley would become an eye opener for Enrique who found that he had a talent for introspective communication. “I could communicate effectively with a gamut of people from high school students to cops,” Enrique said. “I could easily make people feel more comfortable talking about personal issues and matters they normally wouldn’t speak on.” While his work hours didn’t allow him to take classes, Enrique would make the conscious decision to change his major to psychology.

In 1999, he was assigned to San Diego, California where he enrolled at National University to pursue his new scholastic endeavor. By this time, Enrique felt that he intellectually outgrew the military, now pursuing a different life journey. He started to establish himself financially and in 2005, retired from the Marines and earned his associates degree. “It was like going from an infant to a child in the new world,” says Enrique. “I was going to miss the comradery but I knew what was left for me was giving back to those who couldn’t give to themselves.” After going through an emotional breakup, Enrique decided to move back to Texas and continued his education at Texas State University in 2008. He would transfer to UTSA in the spring of 2010 and inevitably make his decision to go Greek and pledge Phi Iota Alpha.

Project UJIMA Greek Leadership Conference

By Julian ‘Fiable’ Reyes

On Saturday, Mar. 26, 2011, The Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. participated in a one of a kind event on the University of Southern California (USC) campus. Project UJIMA Greek Leadership Conference was an event hosted by the Phi Chapter of Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Our very own Alpha Epsilon chapter served as a gold level co-sponsor.

Project UJIMA Greek Leadership Conference was open to members of the Southern California Greek Community and provided a forum to discuss issues facing our diverse community, in hopes of bridging the gaps created by a lack of cross-cultural awareness and spatial distances. UJIMA is a Swahili term which translates to “collective work and responsibility.” It is part of a communitarian philosophy that both organizations felt best described what was being promoted through the UJIMA Project.

Greek lettered organizations from various councils and campuses, as well as USC campus organizations, participated in this collective conference. Workshops facilitated the discussion of issues facing LGBT and the Greek community, Stereotypes, Double Standards, Glass Ceilings, and Defining and Developing Leadership. The USC Latina/o Student Assembly demonstrated their support for this event by providing lunch for all conference attendees. Immediately following the conference, Phi Iota Alpha and Omega Phi Beta made the drive to downtown Los Angeles’ Midnight Mission to distribute the personal lunches still available from the event.

The conclusion of this eventful day was the Scratch the Surface II fundraiser party in Santa Monica, Ca. Proceeds raised through the party will benefit the Japan relief efforts through the American Red Cross as well as support the efforts of our national philanthropy’s UNICEF TAP project.

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West Province

Southwest Province

Age is Nothing but a Number

social skills.”

Since most of his friends were from bigger cities, Enrique became more urbanized than anything, adapting a fondness for hip-hop which was just becoming popular at the time. With little guidance he did what he felt was necessary to go to college and pursue a degree. A little over a year later, Enrique would find himself married and reassigned once more to New Orleans in June of 1989. New Orleans would be a roller coaster of emotion for Enrique, adjusting to married life as well as the lifestyle New Orleans had to offer.

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LGLO’s Stepping & Strolling: Is It Really In Our Roots?

By Ramiro ‘Retorico’ Funez

Note: I am a member of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., but the following editorial does not represent the opinions of the fraternity, rather my opinions as a Latino college student.

In the fall of 2009, I began my college career at St. John’s University, a leading Catholic University in Jamaica, New York.

Throughout my first week on campus, fraternities and sororities paraded through almost every social event imaginable, handing out flyers and promoting their upcoming programs. As I observed their behaviorisms upon attending these social events, I began to notice something that I’d never seen before; stepping and strolling.

At the Fall 2009 Greek Organization Fair, I stood in awe as I watched members of various black Greek-lettered organizations strolling to the rhythmic sounds of hip-hop and stepping on the hard concrete floors of the Residence Village.

Subsequently, members of Latino Greeklettered organizations stepped onto the yard and proceeded onto their stepping and strolling routines.

Seeing this really confused me.

After becoming an interest of Phi Iota Alpha, speaking to brothers about stepping/strolling and conducting research on the topic, I discovered a few things.

Firstly, I discovered that stepping originates from percussive dance routines, popularized by black Greek-lettered organizations (Divine Nine)

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and R&B groups of the mid twentieth century, that pays homage to the occurrences experienced by black slaves in the southern United States during the 18th and 19th century. In fact, many academic sources say that stepping originates from the means that slaves in the south would communicate with each other. Many of these sources also mention slave owners forcing their slaves to step as a form of personal entertainment.

Another thing that I discovered was that strolling, historically referred to as “line dancing”, was also practiced and innovated by black Greeklettered orgaanizations that wanted to exhibit remembrance of their roots as slaves of the southern United States. Typically dancing in height order and featuring synchronized dance motions, strolling is symbolic of the way that African slaves in the United States were chained together by their arms and legs in long lines that forced everyone in the link to make the same body movements.

That’s why oftentimes you’ll see black Greeklettered organizations strolling and making movements that resemble the breaking of chains.

After digesting this historical informatizzon, I began to think how remarkable and beautiful it is that these black Greek-lettered organizations embed such a historical context to their performances. It truly has significance and creativity.

At this point, I started to wonder why Latino organizations step and stroll if its roots originate from hegemony imposed on black slaves in the United States during the 18th-19th century, not black slaves in Latin America.

Upon asking members of LGLO’s (Latino Greek-lettered Organizations) that step and stroll, I started to receive a plethora of disingenuous and generic responses that didn’t really match up to my research.

Some of the most common responses were: “It’s in our roots, we all have African heritage,” or “We’re paying homage to our African roots by stepping and strolling,”

These comments made me even more opinionated:

Firstly, stepping and strolling originates from black slavery in the UNITED STATES, not Latin America. So that claim renders itself inaccurate and historically incorrect. Black slaves in Latin America had a completely different culture and complexity than black slaves in the United States. It’s a common misconception to group the culture of black slaves of the United States with black slaves of Latin America.

Second, by LGLO’s using stepping and strolling to represent the culture of Latin America, they are oversimplifying the complexity of the Latino.

Although there was a significant presence of black slaves in countries like the Dominican Republic, Panama, Honduras, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil, the black population of Latin America accounts for less than 15 percent of the total population in Latino countries stretching between Mexico and Argentina.

Now by LGLO’s using these inaccurate and historically incorrect claims that stepping and strolling also has origins in Latin American slavery, members of these organizations are assuming cultural traditions that aren’t even theirs to begin with.

If you’re from a country like Uruguay, Argentina or Chile that has an extremely low percentage of black slaves in its history and you are a member of a LGLO that steps or strolls, you are oversimplifying your cultural complexity to a standard that isn’t originally yours.

It is important to add that most LGLO’s have a mission of uniting Latinos together and focusing on cultural and social awareness. Now my question is, why are these organizations oversimplifying the Latino culture the fallacies of black slaves in Latin America stepping and strolling?

I feel that many of these organizations use this fallacy claim of “stepping and strolling being in our African heritage” as a marketing technique to join the bandwagon of minority organizations that step and stroll.

I mean let’s face it, stepping and strolling is beautiful, creative and definitely popular. Now LGLO’s have capitalized on this and have tweaked

the history of stepping and strolling from black slavery in order to give them reason to participate as well. In respects to business growth and marketing development, this was a smart decision. Now in respects to historical context and knowledge of accurate roots, it’s completely false and disingenuous.

I don’t see members of BGLO’s that are of Haitian background dancing to flamenco or music from Sevilla, claiming roots from Spain, as the island was at one point ruled under the Spanish crown. No. They stick to their own roots, and LGLO’s should stick to their own and not fabricate fictitious historical fallacies that allow them to join the bandwagon of stepping and strolling.

The reality of it is that stepping and strolling is not in the roots of Latin America. It is in the roots of black slaves from the United States.

Now I GUARANTEE that there will be a ton of people remarking this story as untrue or wrong.

However, a lot of LGLO’s are so indoctrinated with this fallacy of stepping and strolling that they will defend it to their death.

I just want to leave readers with this challenge. Before you embrace a particular cultural practice, think about where it comes from and do your research.

Now, I must fend off the people who will comment on this story with hate and irrationality controlled by their indoctrination of false historical context. I’m sure it will be exhausting.

Sources: -Fine, Elizabeth. Soulstepping: African American Step Shows. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 2003.

-Malone, Jacqui. Steppin on the Blues. Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1996.

-Ross, Lawrence Jr. The Divine Nine - The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities.

Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2001. a

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By Mike Paisner

W

hat does it mean to be the first person in the history of your family to go to college? It means accomplishment, moving forward, closing the gap between what could be and what is. Taking it a step further, what does it mean to be the first person in your family to go to professional school? For me it meant realizing a lifelong goal that took me nine years of focus and dedication to achieve.

Getting into dental school was not an easy challenge. As a matter of fact, it was the most challenging obstacle in my life. Being a Latino I had to realize the average amount of Latino men applying versus those getting accepted was the lowest of all ethnic groups.

Even looking at the most diverse dental schools the number of Latino students usually was less than ten out of one hundred fifty. I knew I had a niche to fill, I was going to become a dentist that caters to the underserved Latino population.

So what does it take to even qualify to get into dental school?

You have to maintain stellar grades, achieve a competitive score on the Dental Admissions Test (aka DAT), create a resume that would qualify you for saint hood and possess the ability to be good with your hands (My line name means I’m good with my hands if you were wondering). Sounds simple enough, good grades, plenty of community service, another BS standardized exam, and having hobby that requires hand dexterity, such as building model cars. But here is the catch, you are competing for 130 or so seats on average with an applicant pool of over 5000 people. Statistically, your chances are low just looking at raw numbers. In addition to the low acceptance rate, applicants with family in the dental field have, and I wish I wasn’t exaggerating, ten times the chances that any other applicant has simply because they have dentists in the family. But wait, remember that Latino’s make up the smallest demographic of dental students which gave me a good chance in hell.

How, on this earth did I make it into dental school with adversity that was all against me? I worked hard. When I was 15 years old I toured dental schools close to my house and talked to admissions deans about what I needed to do. I took up guitar building to better my hand skills. In college I never wasted a minute. I never went to football games, always went to office hours, always kept my work organized, and never let anything distract me from what I wanted to achieve in life. I shadowed dentists for two years to get experience in a dental office. I traveled to Nicaragua to work with local dentists serving the underserved. And I kept my grades up only missing the dean’s list a handful of times. I even scored above the national av-

erage on my DAT. The first time I applied to dental school I was turned down at every institution.

Having all of your dreams of success robbed from you with the phrase “application denied” was a cold reminder of reality. The reality that I needed to step up my game even further to beat the statistic.

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Being the first person to ever attempt college in my family let alone a Doctorate degree tells you how much I knew about the process. So I got help from a college counselor that I had to fund myself. She taught me the “game”.

The game is what professional schools play with their applicants to weed out people that don’t either understand what they are getting into or just don’t understand that every aspect of your life from freshman English to facebook is looked at with a fine tooth comb. I changed my personal statement to reflect why I wanted to be a dentist, which was the most important part. Dental schools don’t want to have to ask you “Why dentistry”, although they will, because they want you to answer that in your personal statement. Always apply right when the cycle opens. I made the mistake of applying the first time four months after the cycle opened. Do not let anybody tell you to go into an interview cold, with the expectation that the interviewer wants to see a completely candid side of you. The person in that room is going to ask you extremely specific questions about your life, your goals, the school in specific, the location and the person you are and want to be in about fifteen minutes. Stuttering, fumbling, incoherence, and answering the questions in a way that they don’t like could mean the difference between going to school and waiting another year, spending another 5000$ on the application cycle and putting yourself through enough stress to run a small country.

Fast forward to my second time around when I dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s. I wrote and rewrote my personal statement so many times I have a folder dedicated to the drafts alone. My personal statement was so go http:// www.denison.edu/leadershipawards/2011/flores.jpg od it was featured on my counselor’s website. I kept pristine documentation of every school that sent me a secondary application. Every schools wanted something different and a different time in a different way. I would write out hundreds of possible interview questions and answer them according to the school. When I walked into my interviews there was literally nothing that could have surprised me.

I interviewed at three schools and I made it into three schools. The dream has become a reality and if you think for one moment that you can’t do something in your life based on a statistic, think again, open your eyes wider, stretch your time farther, cut out the fat in your life and get it done. Excuses are tools of the incompetent used to build monuments to nothing, put down the bricks and pick up the books.

Brother Earns Highest Award at Denison University Source: http://www.denison.edu/leadershipawards/2011/

In

a ceremony held on April 11 in the Welsh Hills Room of Burton D. Morgan Center, Denison’s new Vice President of Student Affairs Laurel Kennedy presented the university’s 2011 Distinguished Leadership Award to 24 deserving seniors.

The honor is awarded annually to graduating seniors recognizing their extraordinary commitment to excellence, leadership and dedication to Denison and surrounding communities. About this year’s event, Dr. Kennedy said, “For many years, I have sat in the audience and watched as these awards were presented. This year, I get to make the presentations myself, and I am deeply moved by this opportunity, having read the impressive dossiers of the students who are seated before me.”

Kennedy added, “While we hope that students are changed by their experiences while at Denison, we can say that we have been changed as a college by your presence. You have moved us forward in important and visible ways, and we will never go back. For that more than anything, we acknowledge you today.”

Midwest Province

How I Got to Dental School

Steve Flores

B.A. Economics; Hyde Park, Mass.

Posse Foundation Full Tuition Leadership Scholarship; Edwards Scholarship; Mary C. McMackin Scholarship; Distinguished Leadership Award; Office of Campus and Residential Life - Head Resident, Resident Assistant; Office of Admissions - Transportation Coordinator Intern; La Fuerza Latina – President, Treasurer; Denison Men’s Club Volleyball – President; Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc, Denison University Colony - Founder, President; Multicultural Recruitment and Scholarship Committee – Student Representative; Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee – Student Representative; Assistant Director of Residential Life Search Committee Member; Big Brother/Big Sisters Lunch Break Program - Big Brother Volunteer; Gospel Choir; Club Tennis; Zumba Club

Presentation Remarks: Steve, you are president of Phi Iota Alpha, La Fuerza Latina and the Men’s Volleyball Club. You are a Big Brother, a member of the Gospel Choir, and your recently were featured leading a Zumba class for Big Red’s Big Day. You have been an RA and an HR and you have worked for Admissions. Sometimes a list as varied at that suggests breadth without depth. But you are a deep guy. As Kim Showman writes, you have been an agent of change at Denison: bright, motivated, talented, mature. Toni King wrote, “Steve becomes involved for the long haul rather than the big splash. Shavely Peralta writes that you believe in the power of community. Your own comments attest that you know yourself well, because you talk about the importance of the interpersonal--of connecting at a human level, of eliciting a smile not by being a jokester or keeping it light, but by going to the heart and learning about others’ aspirations, and then seeing how we can achieve those collectively. La Fuerza has changed dramatically in the last few years, and Phi Iota Alpha didn’t exist when you arrived four years ago. It has been with quiet persistence, attention to small details, and a spirit of kindness that you have pressed for changes. Each alone has been subtle, but the totality is remarkable. Steve, we are better for your contributions to the college, and we are better for knowing you. Thank you.

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Agenda Thursday July 21, 2011 12:00 pm - 05:00 pm 01:00 pm - 05:00 pm 05:00 pm - 07:00 pm 10:00 pm Friday July 22, 2011 08:00 am - 05:00 pm 09:00 am - 12:00 pm 12:00 pm - 02:00 pm 01:00 pm - 05:00 pm

03:00 pm - 03:50 pm

Covention on the Beach Miami 7/21 - 7/24

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to Phi Iota Alpha’s 79th Anniversary Convention and Banquet. During our 79 years of existence our brotherhood has become the most distinguished Latino organization in the country.

Our brotherhood has grown to include a plethora of prominent and accomplished, educators, politicians, businessmen, and four former presidents of Latin American Countries. We have committed ourselves toward the empowerment of the Latino community by providing intensive social and cultural programs and activities geared toward the appreciation, promotion and preservation of Latin American culture.

Aside from taking care of business, there will also be plenty of FamIliA time since we have extended the length of convention to accommodate just that. These events will take full advantage of the venues and resources available to us in Miami.

Our brothers in Florida have been working very hard to make this convention one of the most exciting and Registration memorable conventions to date, so you do not want to Brother Registration miss out. I look forward to Regular Registration -3/1 - 4/30: $150 (Semper Leal: $125) greeting all of you in Miami.

Late Registration -5/1 - 6/30: $175 (Semper Leal: $150) Fraternally, Francisco M. Lugo, M.Ed. Executive Director

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Last Minute Registration - July $200

(Semper Leal: $175)

(Includes networking reception, ticket to the convention lunch and banquet, convention gifts, and some social activities.)

Convention Guest Convention Banquet Ticket: $50 per guest Convention Lunch & Banquet Ticket: $80 per guest Greek Organizations TablesTable of eight (8): $500 per table

Registration Open Board Meeting Lunch Greek Paraphernalia Vendor/s

04:00 pm - 04:50 pm

Open BOT Meeting: Increasing Undergradu ate Participation in Fraternity Business.

Open BOT Meeting: What Responsibility does FIA have in Promoting Latino Rights in the US?

05:00 pm - 06:00 pm 07:00 pm - 08:30 pm 08:30 pm - 10:30 pm 11:00 pm

Town Hall Meeting Alumni Reception Dinner Social Event

Distinguished Brothers and Guests,

Registration Open Golf Outing Dinner Social Event

Saturday July 23, 2011 08:00 am - 12:00 pm Check in 08:00 am - 05:00 pm Area Tour 08:00 am - 05:00 pm Greek Para Vendor 09:00 am - 09:25 am Welcome Session 09:25 am - 10:30 am Symbolism Review 09:30 am - 11:30 am Alumni Association/

Chapter Meeting 12:00 pm - 01:30 pm Lunch (Provided) 01:40 pm ‑ 02:30 pm General Session 02:40 pm ‑ 03:30 pm (2) Concurrent Sessions 03:50 pm ‑ 04:40 pm (2) Concurrent Sessions 07:00 pm - 10:00 pm Awards Dinner Banquet 11:00 pm National Convention Party Sunday July 24, 2011 12:00 pm - 05:00 pm nament

Spring 2011

BBQ & Soccer Tour-

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Entertainment-Local Attractions Top Picks from the Miami Visitor’s Guide • South Be ach / Art Deco District • Coconut Grove • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens • Jungle Island • Wings Over Miami Air Museum • Coral Castle • Vene tian Pool

Local Tour Ser vices • Duck Tours Miami • Miami Cultural Tours • Miami Je t Tours • Miami Cit y Tour

Local Acti vities • Biking trail (0.5 mile(s) • Je t-skiing (0.5 mile(s)) • Jogging/fitness trail (0.5 mile(s)) • Miniature golf • Scuba di ving • Snorkeling (0.5 mile(s) • Squash (1.5 mile(s)) • Tennis (3.5 mile(s) • Volleyball • Water-skiing • Golf Outing

Want to be part of a group?

Contact Giovanni Abril

by June 15.

Thursday, July 21, 2011 Golf outing Contact Giovanni Abril by June 15.

Convention Hotel This ye ar ’s Convention will be held at the Miami Marriot t Biscayne Bay. Right across the Bay f rom Miami Be ach! With f ree Me tromover acce ss to Downtown Miami and the Be ach right across the bay the Miami Marriot t is at the center of all things Miami.

A block of rooms have been re ser ved f rom Thursday night July 21th through Sunday night July 24th at a discounted rate of $99.00 per night.

Miami Marriot t Biscayne Bay 1633 North Bayshore Dri ve

Marlins vs. Mets Game Want to go to the game?

Contact Giovanni Abril by June 15.

Miami Seaquarium Adult $35.95 + tax / Child(Ages 3-9) $25.95 + tax 21

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Miami, Florida 33132 USA Re ser vations

Do’s and Donts For Miami Convention Don’t Do

1. wear socks and sandles 2. wear tennis Shoes to the beach 3. wear speedos 4. take off your shirt unless you got a tan.

5. get caught staring it’s creepy 6. be surpise about price 7. act like your from jersey shore, unless your from jersey shore

1. bring enough money 2. enjoy the night life 3. start working out 4. be responsbile 5. eat Cuban food 6. register online 7. go to the beach

Average We ather Miami,FL, July 21-24 Thrusday, July 21

Friday, July 22

Saturday, July 23

Sunday, July 24

Hi 91oF

Hi 91oF

Hi 91oF

Hi 91oF

Lo 77oF

Lo 77oF

Lo 77oF

Lo 77oF

Ple ase make your re ser vations e arly!

Call Marriot t Re ser vations directly at 1 (800) 228-9290 (305) 374-3900

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Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Visa® Platinum Rewards Card

The Situation

We’re excited to announce a brand new way that you can support Phi Iota Alpha!

When you apply for and use the new Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Visa® Platinum Rewards Card, our issuing bank (UMB) will make a $50 donation to the fraternity. Then for the life of the program, Phi Iota Alpha will receive a portion of every dollar that every cardholder charges! This great new card has no annual fee and a competitively low interest rate making it a smart choice for showing your Phi Iota Alpha pride.

Enjoy enhanced Visa Platinum benefits and rewards – earn bonus points for FREE airline tickets, merchandise, cash-back and more at participating merchants. No Annual Fee. Low Introductory APR on purchases and no balance transfer fees for 6 months. Enhanced Visa Platinum benefits, including 24/7 Emergency Customer Service, 100% Fraud Protection, Auto Rental and Travel Accident Insurance and much more. See our FAQ for more information.

All the benefits of a platinum Visa card will be yours, along with the satisfaction of showing your support of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity’s mission every time you use your card.

$

-Every day 4,100 children die of water-related diseases.

-Nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Almost half of them are children.

-Just $1 raised through the UNICEF Tap Project can provide a child with safe water for 40 days.

1

PHIOTA BELIEVES IN ZERO No child without water $4,000 is the goal Unicef@phiota.org

$1554.31 of $4,000

This program is only open to U.S. residents 18 and over.

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Spring 2011

40 Days PHIOTA!

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Alpha Gamma 10 Year Banquet

BY RAMIRO S. FUNEZ

The Alpha Gamma Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held a banquet in December celebrating a ten year presence at St. John’s University and Queens College.

Several brothers from the Long Island and Metro region of the Northeastern Province attended the event.

Some of the chapters that were present included Theta,

Beta, Zeta, Psi and Alpha Zeta.

Throughout the night, brothers from St. John’s and Queens College shared their experiences with the fraternity. The main speaker and co-founder of the chapter, Roberto Saavedra, gave a speech that dialogued his passion for the fraternal organization and also touched based on issues affecting Latin America.

Along with providing anecdotes, brothers also received awards of recognition for their contributions to Alpha Gamma.

The event was held in the ballroom of the D’ Angelo Center at St. John’s University.

Phiotas and Delta Sigma Theta Bring Human Trafficking Home to Hartford Students BY: Bladimir “Tierra del Fuego” Ysabel and Jose “Bayaney” Soto

Brothers from the University of Hartford Colony teamed up with the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to discuss human trafficking and the effects it can bring to society. Our brothers, along with the sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, gave a presentation on the history, current issues and prevention of human trafficking. Although many people are aware of the issues with human trafficking throughout the world, many were surprised to hear of cases of human trafficking within the Hartford community, bringing the severity of the issue home for the students.

The students were then split up into groups in order to discuss facts about human trafficking. The discussions were very involved, with students coming up with ways to prevent those statistics from happening any further.

The event ended with an open floor discussion, where everyone spoke about their views on the matter. Some people went as far as sharing stories about their own exposure to human trafficking.

Overall, the event had a huge turnout with more than 40 students attending. Many of the minority Greek organizations were in attendance, which shows the growing unity amongst minority Greeks on campus, something seldom seen up to this point.

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Alpha Zeta’s Midnight Run BY: DAVID PINEDA

The midnight runs here at St. Thomas Aquinas College are a great experience for students to do community service, as well as gain an acute understanding of the homeless. Being a senior here at STAC, I have participated in these events for a couple of years and I must say; each experience has been a humbling one.

The experience started around 6 p.m. with everyone who signed up to participate uniting in the cafeteria. There, the faculty members explained to the students that we should try to gain something from our experience along with going over safety precautions. Next, we started making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and put them in brown bags with apples. Afterwards, we prepared lunch bags that we loaded up into mini vans that we’d be traveling in. One minivan was full of clothes to hand out like socks, underwear, long and short sleeve shirts, shoes, jackets,and covers. The second minivan was holding all the food which included the lunch bags, large jugs of warm soup, and utilities. After we loaded up the minivan with the food, our next stop from the school cafeteria was in Dobs Ferry, Westchester.

There, we stopped by a shelter and replenished the minivan full of clothes.

The midnight runs actually take part in downtown Manhattan, where the faculty has a list of addresses which are called ‘hotspots’ where homeless people are most likely to be found. An example of a hotspot is 34th street by Madison Square Garden. There are at least 10 different locations that we had to stop around there. The midnight run officially comes to an end when all of the food and clothes are given out.

This was a great experience because the students actually have to come out of the minivan and look for homeless people around the area. This part in particular was kind of scary for me because the whole idea of approaching a homeless person does not sound too safe. Actually, we weren’t allowed to get too close to some since there are homeless people that may be on drugs, or may want to try to rob you. Even after the experience I had with the midnight runs, I still get nervous when approaching a homeless person. Some do not want to be helped and just want to be left alone while others really do want help. The ones that do come to the minivan come for specific things, the most popular things being underwear and socks.

We weren’t allowed to give out more than two pairs to each person, because of all the stops we had to make. Sometimes when a homeless person does not get what they want they become more aggressive, commanding, and annoyed. Some are very calm and respective. One homeless person that I met was actually a doctor in Nicaragua, and when he came to the United States they told him that he did not have the same educational experience. One of my chapter brothers actually met a person who graduated from Stony Brook, and wanted to start his own business, and had all his money and important information in a storage unit that burned down. Apart from that incident, we also met a brother from Kappa Alpha Psi, who just kept saying he was a Nupe. This community service event is an inspiring and enlightening experience that made me remember how grateful I am to have my family and a home to go to. The Alpha Zeta Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha of Fraternity, Inc. here at St. Thomas Aquinas College always encourage students to participate in this charity event at least one time during their college experience.

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Northeast Province

Northeast Province

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Northeast Province

Capicu Dominoes Tournament By: Daniel “Dante” Cuomo Philip “Pating” Hollnsteiner Christopher “Impecable” Vargas

In celebration of Dominican Independence Day, the Alpha, Delta and Eta Chapters of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held a Capicu Dominoes Tournament at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the State University of New York at Albany, and at Union College respectively.

On Feb. 18, the Alpha Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held their annual Dominoes Tournament in the Union Building at the campus center. The venue consisted of rice, black beans, and Latin style roasted chicken. Thirty people showed up to support the tournament which awarded a grand prize of $100 Best Buy gift certificate. The tournament was exciting to the end with the winning team coming back from a deficit of 100 points to win.

On Feb. 28, brothers from the Alpha and Delta Chapters of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosted a Dominoes Tournament in conjunction with the Alpha Chapter of la Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. at the State University of New York at Albany. The event started with a quick history lesson about the Dominican Republic’s independence and the game of dominoes. After the short lecture, the brothers asked some questions to the audience about the history of the Dominican Republic, and those that answered correctly received a free plate of food. The event continued with friendly games of Dominoes among the attendees, while Dominican food was being sold.

The proceeds made from food were all directed towards sponsoring a child in the Dominican Republic. The attendees were made up almost entirely of students from the school, along with some administration.

On Mar. 4, the Eta Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. held their first ever Capicu Dominoes Tournament at the Reamer Campus Center in Union College. Half of the proceeds from registration and any additional donations were directly geared towards our national fundraiser, the UNICEF Tap Project.

Brothers from the chapter tabled all week long, having a total of eight teams (two people per team) to compete in the Dominoes tournament. Registration for the event was $8.00 per team, with the winning team earning a cash prize of $40.00. Over forty people came to support at the event listening to a variety of music including bachata, salsa and meringue. During breaks, people danced in the campus center.

The final match became intense as all the women in the crowd began to root for the all-female team while everyone else rooted for the opposing team which consisted of one male and one female.

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From The Archives

Phiota’s Core Major

By Alberto ‘Demasiado’ Aelvira

One question I get asked often is “How did Phi Iota Alpha grow from coast to coast at a time when there wasn’t even TV?”

It’s a very good question. In an age where the mass media was radio, and TV had yet to be invented how did Latino men find each other to form Phi Iota Alpha chapters? How could a fraternity grow from Massachusetts to California when all you had was a telephone? No Facebook, No Twtter.

How do you grow a fraternity with just Ma Bell and the mailman?

Well to answer this question let’s look at some commonalities. RPI, LSU, Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, MIT, Indiana Tech…

What do they have all in common? The answer is that they all have large engineering departments. Engineering was the glue that made Phi Iota Alpha what it was.

In the late 19th and early 20th century Latin American students coming to the United States to study came to study engineering. They didn’t come to learn English Lit, or Art History. They came to learn the skills to build roads, bridges, buildings, and even the Panama Canal. The industrial revolution came later to Latin American than the rest of the world. Therefore the need was great for skilled talent to build that Latin America of tomorrow. Certain universities like RPI have a Latin American engineering tradition stretching back more that 160 years.

That common engineering major became the means of introduction of Latinos studying in the US to become acquainted with one another. From there it was a short leap to be interested in becoming interested

in starting a chapter of Phi Iota Alpha. It was from this bond that chapters in got established from California & Colorado all the way to New York & Massachusetts.

That tradition exists to this day. Phi Iota Alpha still retains a major presence at some of the top engineering schools in the United States. Brothers of Phi Iota Alpha are always a major presence in the leadership of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE.) SHPE conventions at times resemble mini-Phiota conventions.

Of the overall membership fully 10% are either engineering majors or have graduated with a degree in engineering. That is significantly higher rate that the national average. In the US only 6% of college undergraduates plan to study engineering, and the less than 1% actually obtain an engineering degree.

Engineering is a discipline that has served Phi Iota Alpha well for almost 100 years. It could also serve you too. In you are undecided take a look into engineering. In 2005 the American Society of Civil Engineers put out a report assessing the state of America’s bridges, dams, waterways, roads, schools, etc. Of the fifteen categories rated the highest grade was a C+ Ten of the fifteen were rated D or lower. Given today’s uncertain economic times, it’s a good idea to consider a career where the supply of work is apparently inexhaustible, and the possibility of outsourcing is negligible.

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The A in ΦIA stands for Amistad not Alienation.

Ramsey R Rodriguez

It’s one of the first thing we are taught when we’re put on line. It’s an aspect of our fraternity that, for many brothers, is the reason for their decision to pledge. It’s what many view as our most notable quality.

When I decided to pledge Phi Iota Alpha in the fall of 2005, it wasn’t the secrecy or the symbolism that drew me into the fraternity. It wasn’t the fact that this fraternity seemed different from any other organization on campus, including other Latino orgs. And it certainly wasn’t the professionalism.

What convinced me beyond any other factor was seeing how these guys related and got along so well. Despite pledging as a dot, I still formed bonds with my chapter brothers much like line brothers would develop while on line.

When pitching the fraternity to a potential candidate, I go straight for the brotherhood aspect of our organization. “I look at these guys as I would my real brothers,” I tell people.

It’s an easy marketing tool because it’s so true.

After I crossed, there was no distinction between older brothers and neos, beyond having to endure the ceaseless and often brash teases and jokes that all brothers must listen to as a rite of passage. No matter what line you may have crossed in, we were all brothers essentially striving towards some form of professionalism whether it be found in a degree or career or family. We all respected each other despite our differences.

The stories brothers would tell of their times on line was always my favorite subject when we would get together. Brothers would top each

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other with extreme or embellished accounts of different stages of the process or trade funny moments that would randomly take place while they were being pledged. Ribs of how easy we have it, reminiscent of war heroes and grandfathers sitting on a porch proclaiming how we young folks don’t know how good we got it. No one ever saw a brother in terms of degree or level.

I’ve been around long enough to see this fraternity transition into different pledging procedures and though I may not always agree with some of the decisions made concerning this topic, I always keep faith enough that what is being taught keeps true to the knowledge that was bestowed on me when I pledged in 05.

The information and philosophical meaning behind what we learn when pledging is the most significant. No matter what method a brother chooses to instill in their candidate’s educational process, the worth of that brother should be seen through their retention of the knowledge, not their physical ability or stubbornness for letters.

There is no way I could compare my process to the founders who pledged Alpha Eta in 2001, just as those founders can in no way compare themselves to brothers who pledged in 1984 and so on. The time frame and intensity (whether brought on physically or mentally) of your process, at the end of it all, pales to the connecting factor of fraternal wisdom.

We all are still striving for professionalism.

We are all still fighting for a cause. But what’s most important; we are all still brothers.

PHIOTA HAS GONE MOBILE Don’t know what time that fraternity event is?

Need to look up a brother’s phone number?

Not near a computer? Well now you can find out on your web enabled cellphone or iPod Touch with Phiota.mobile From our mobile site you can look up the directory, or check on upcoming events.

More coming soon!

Just go to: http://www.phiota.info/m/

Brotherhood...

There’s an App. for that.

Iphone App.

How to Get It

Blackberry users: Go to http://www.phiota. info/m/. Use the Application Loader in your BlackBerry Desktop Manager to install.

Download it from iTunes Today Spring 2011

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My Biggest Reward is a Donation Ramsey R Rodriguez

Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been afraid of needles. Particularly, injection needles extracting blood or putting some chemical compound into of my arm. Even after my donation, the thought of donating blood gives me the creeps and a slight head ache.

This past March, I signed myself up for the National Marrow Donor Program through the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center; an utter contradiction to my, still existing, phobia. With two very close relatives who have passed away from Leukemia and Cancer, I took this as an opportunity to give someone else a fighting chance.

When I first walked up to the registration table I still held a few reservations. The first reassuring factor of donating marrow was the fact that a cotton swab is used to initially test for a potential match, not a blood donation. The coordinator assured me even further that it could years to be called and even in some cases, I could never be matched with a recipient. Mid November, I received a voice mail from the Blood and Tissue Center explaining how I’m a potential match for an eleven year old boy with Leukemia.

As I listened to the woman’s voice give a return number and extension with a tone of enthusiasm, a slight wave of shock pulsed through my veins as I dialed the number. The next few minutes seemed to pass by in a haze as I made my appointment for the following week. I would have to go a Blood and Tissue Center to donate a few samples for them to send out for testing.

A word to the wise: when you donate blood, make sure you are hydrated. My first attempt to donate a blood sample ended in failure due to my lapse in this obvious piece of common knowledge. The samples would be checked to see if I was the best match for this young boy to receive marrow from. For confidentiality purposes the doctor’s won’t release our personal information for a year, giving the recipient time to fully recover from the procedure.

To find a match for bone marrow is much more complicated than a blood donation. A donor and recipient must practically be genetically identical if a transfer of marrow is to occur. Doctors look for a donor who matches their patient’s tissue type, specifically their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue type. HLAs are proteins found on most cells in your body. Your immune system uses these markers to recognize which cells belong in your body and which do not. The closer the match between the recipient’s HLA mark-

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ers and mine, the better.

Two weeks before Christmas, I received confirmation that I was the best possible match. By this time, I was getting used to the fact that I would have to give samples and be subjected to needle pokes here and there. The initial shock had long worn off and I found myself becoming excited at the notion of helping to save a seemingly stranger’s life. The Monday before Christmas, I went to the Methodist Hospital for a physical examination to make sure I was healthy enough for a donation. I also spoke with a doctor who explained the procedure and all possible scenarios and effects that he assured me were rare in occurrence.

They would be extracting marrow from my back hip bone and I was to be put under anesthesia throughout the surgery. The fact that I was going to be asleep while the procedure was going on eased my tensions as well. I received another call on Jan. 4 from the Blood and Tissue Center verifying my clean bill of health and was scheduled for donation on Jan. 18 at 7:00 a.m. The recipient would go into chemo therapy a week before.

The morning of the marrow extraction, I filled out paper work, went through pre-op, and was given a general anesthetic. I can remember the nurse telling me to start counting backwards from 100 when they started wheeling me into the O.R. 100, 99, 98, 9 ……

The pain I felt after the procedure was a little more than what I expected but still not as excruciating as most of my friend’s believed. For the most part when I would tell someone I was going through the process of donating marrow, the initial reaction I received was much like if I had put their hands in a fire. A scrunched up face with a hiss between their teeth and even an occasional why? A lot of people supported me but thought I was a little crazy to undergo something like this for someone I don’t even know. I tell them I see it as more of an opportunity to do the right thing than anything. If put into a similar situation, I pray somebody out who can donate, will.

I spent the first couple of days recuperating at a fraternity brother’s apartment, reading on my stomach and waddling around like a pregnant lady whenever I needed to get up. I couldn’t bend down or sideways an inch so getting up consisted of me rolling over on the bed until I reached the edge. The fun part was getting off. A few days and a bottle of pain pills later and I was moving around, practically back to my old self. I’m left now with a curiosity and hope that this eleven year old is somewhere, alive and recuperating on the way to a full recovery and that one day I’ll get a chance to meet him face to face.

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Spring 2011

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Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. Est. 1931

The Oldest Latino Fraternity in Existence