Lambda Sigma Upsilon
Encyclopedia
Lambda Sigma Upsilon ("L-S-U" or "Upsilons") is a Latino
oriented Greek letter
intercollegiate fraternity
founded on April 5, 1979 at Rutgers University
in New Brunswick, New Jersey
.
The fraternity is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
(NIC) and a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
(NALFO).
As the acts of civil disobedience continued, students began to meet and be acquainted with each other from the protests. Some students were particularly upset with the treatment of Latino student interests and issues. A small group of these students began to meet at the Livingston Student Center and discuss the formation of an organization that would help students meet their goals and provide a family away from home. As the discussion continued, more men began to join the conversation eventually the group reached 20 members. Most of these men had met, at some time or another, during the protests or acts of civil disobedience, and thus shared common interests in the need for taking action to bring about positive change.
This eventually led to a debate within the organization surrounding the idea of changing the designation from "Social Fellowship" to "Fraternity". This debate centered on the idea of giving in to a “Greek” system that the founders of the organization originally sought to avoid. In the fall of 1987 a proposal was submitted by the brothers of Pioneros Chapter to the governing board of Lambda Sigma Upsilon. An organization-wide vote was held to change the designation and was passed, thus changing the official name of the organization to "Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity".
Fraternity
is a Member of the National Greek council North-American Interfraternity Conference(NIC). NIC is a confederation of 73 men's college fraternities with over 5,500 chapters on more than 800 campuses throughout Canada and the United States. The NIC represents over 350,000 collegiate members and four and a half million alumni. Its volunteer leaders and professional staff serve fraternity leaders in university, government, and media relations.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino
Fraternity
is also a Member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
(NALFO). The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education. Currently, NALFO consists of 19 different organizations.
. Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. believes stepping is historically and culturally relevant to Latinos by paying homage to their Indigenous and African ancestry. Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.'s Step teams have competed in various competitions across the nation and won the first ever LatinoStep Summer Step Competition in 2002 and regained the title in 2008. Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. is also the first Latino-based fraternity to compete against the traditional Greek-lettered African American organization, the Divine Nine
.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. has placed first in the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. LatinoStep Silk Summer Strolling Competition and other nationwide stroll competitions.
From early on in the history of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Inc., machetes have been incorporated in their step performances as they have special meaning and purpose to the fraternity. Although Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.'s cultural identity symbol is the Taino
, it has a consistent tradition of embracing and honoring indigenous peoples
across the Americas and Africa such as the Aztecs, Zulu, Iriquois, Inca, Mohegan
,and Mayans. The organization is commonly known as the most cultural Latino fraternity.
Another tradition commonly used by the organization is unique amongst fraternities. Although strictly non-violent, revolutionary symbols and imagery are commonly used within the organization’s members. It is common for member to speak of the organization as a movement and use symbolism of the Brown Berets
, the Young Lords
, and the Black Panthers parties of the 1960’s such as the raised closed fist
often used by these organizations to symbolize solidarity and struggle.
Although, Lambda Sigma Upsilon holds H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. as its main philanthropy, many chapters take on chapter philanthropies in addition, and the organization also continues to participate in many volunteer and community service work geared specifically towards under-served communities. Some examples of the programs with which Lambda Sigma upsilon Latino Fraternity has participated are:
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
oriented Greek letter
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
intercollegiate fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
founded on April 5, 1979 at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
in New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
.
The fraternity is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
(NIC) and a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for 19 Latino Greek Letter Organizations established in 1998...
(NALFO).
History
The concept of forming Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. began in 1978. During the period of the mid to late 1970s protests and acts of civil disobedience became commonplace as students asserted their disappointment with Rutgers University, professors' tenure, national issues, and Latino student rights. The protest became so fervent they began closing down institutions and buildings, specifically the Livingston Library as well as Rutgers mens basketball games.As the acts of civil disobedience continued, students began to meet and be acquainted with each other from the protests. Some students were particularly upset with the treatment of Latino student interests and issues. A small group of these students began to meet at the Livingston Student Center and discuss the formation of an organization that would help students meet their goals and provide a family away from home. As the discussion continued, more men began to join the conversation eventually the group reached 20 members. Most of these men had met, at some time or another, during the protests or acts of civil disobedience, and thus shared common interests in the need for taking action to bring about positive change.
Formation
In the spring of 1979, after speaking for a number of weeks, these 20 students suggested that the group form their own brotherhood, a Latino Social Fellowship. These men decided that a Social Fellowship would best provide a support, focus, and family for the Latino community on college and university campuses. These men began to meet on a regular basis, holding their final meeting in Tillett Hall at Rutgers University, Livingston Campus on April 5, 1979, at which time Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Social Fellowship, Inc. was established. The official motto of the fellowship was "Latinos Siempre Unidos" (Latinos Always United), thus the acronym "LSU". They effectively became the catalyst for change, and a vehicle for pertinent conversation regarding relevant issues between student and the university administration at Rutgers UniversityFounding Fathers
The twenty founders of Lambda Sigma Upsilon are:- Jorge Ball
- Felix Cabral
- Jose DeLeon
- Jorge Dutel
- Raphael Equavil
- Frankie Gonzalez
- Luis Gonzalez
- Nelson Gonzalez
- Cesar LeDuc
- Eduterio "Junior" Maldonado
- Julio Maldonado
- Angel Melendez
- Nelson Molina
- Waldo Morin
- Roberto Muniz
- Alberto Rivera
- Miguel Rivera
- Osvaldo Rodriguez
- Jose Sabater
- Raul Torres
Goals
The 20 founders of LSU were men who believed that underrepresented groups, particularly ethnic minorities, at colleges and universities were not getting the attention or services needed to advance their academic successes. They created Lambda Sigma Upsilon to act as a support group for these groups, as well as to provide a family away from home. The founders developed four Goals that would embody the purpose of Lambda Sigma Upsilon. These goals are:- Academic excellence
- Cultural awareness and diversity
- Brotherhood
- Being role models to the community
Fellowship to Fraternity
After the establishment of the Pioneros Chapter at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the brothers of this chapter saw certain difficulties in sustaining the chapter due to the organization's designation as a social fellowship. Not being designated “fraternity” disallowed them from participating in certain events as well as creating and hosting some of their own events and programs with the support of their institutions. They also saw great difficulty in their ability to promote the organization as many special rights were given to only “Greek” organizations.This eventually led to a debate within the organization surrounding the idea of changing the designation from "Social Fellowship" to "Fraternity". This debate centered on the idea of giving in to a “Greek” system that the founders of the organization originally sought to avoid. In the fall of 1987 a proposal was submitted by the brothers of Pioneros Chapter to the governing board of Lambda Sigma Upsilon. An organization-wide vote was held to change the designation and was passed, thus changing the official name of the organization to "Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity".
Affiliations
Lambda Sigma Upsilon LatinoLatino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
Fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
is a Member of the National Greek council North-American Interfraternity Conference(NIC). NIC is a confederation of 73 men's college fraternities with over 5,500 chapters on more than 800 campuses throughout Canada and the United States. The NIC represents over 350,000 collegiate members and four and a half million alumni. Its volunteer leaders and professional staff serve fraternity leaders in university, government, and media relations.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
Fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
is also a Member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for 19 Latino Greek Letter Organizations established in 1998...
(NALFO). The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education. Currently, NALFO consists of 19 different organizations.
Traditions
Since 1979, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. has been the first Latino fraternity to embrace the tradition of steppingStepping
Stepping may refer to:* Walking, one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals* Stepping, Sønderjylland- Computing :* Stepping level, an aspect of microprocessor version designation* Stepping , a method of debugging- Dance :...
. Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. believes stepping is historically and culturally relevant to Latinos by paying homage to their Indigenous and African ancestry. Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.'s Step teams have competed in various competitions across the nation and won the first ever LatinoStep Summer Step Competition in 2002 and regained the title in 2008. Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. is also the first Latino-based fraternity to compete against the traditional Greek-lettered African American organization, the Divine Nine
National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. The nine NPHC organizations are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Divine Nine"...
.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. has placed first in the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. LatinoStep Silk Summer Strolling Competition and other nationwide stroll competitions.
From early on in the history of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity Inc., machetes have been incorporated in their step performances as they have special meaning and purpose to the fraternity. Although Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.'s cultural identity symbol is the Taino
Taíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
, it has a consistent tradition of embracing and honoring indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
across the Americas and Africa such as the Aztecs, Zulu, Iriquois, Inca, Mohegan
Mohegan
The Mohegan tribe is an Algonquian-speaking tribe that lives in the eastern upper Thames River valley of Connecticut. Mohegan translates to "People of the Wolf". At the time of European contact, the Mohegan and Pequot were one people, historically living in the lower Connecticut region...
,and Mayans. The organization is commonly known as the most cultural Latino fraternity.
Another tradition commonly used by the organization is unique amongst fraternities. Although strictly non-violent, revolutionary symbols and imagery are commonly used within the organization’s members. It is common for member to speak of the organization as a movement and use symbolism of the Brown Berets
Brown Berets
The Brown Berets is a Chicano nationalist activist group of young Mexican Americans that emerged during the Chicano Movement in the late 1960s and remains active to the present day. The group was seen as part of the Third Movement for Liberation. The Brown Berets focus on community organizing...
, the Young Lords
Young Lords
The Young Lords, later Young Lords Organization and in New York , Young Lords Party, was a Puerto Rican nationalist group in several United States cities, notably New York City and Chicago.-Founding:...
, and the Black Panthers parties of the 1960’s such as the raised closed fist
Fist
Fist may refer to:* In falconry, the hand covered by a heavy glove as in boxing, on which the hawk perches* Fisting, the act of the inserting fingers or the whole hand in a vagina or rectum for sexual pleasure...
often used by these organizations to symbolize solidarity and struggle.
Facts
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity was noted for being a “catalyst for change, and a vehicle for pertinent conversation regarding relevant issues between student and the university administration” in the book Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity was founded by students for students.
- In 1979 Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity became the first Latino Organization to step.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity is a member of NALFO.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity is a member of NICNIC- Banking and insurance companies:* National Insurance Company Limited, India.* National Insurance Company, Pakistan.* National Insurance Corporation, Kenya.* National Insurance Corporation, Tanzania.* National Insurance Corporation, Uganda....
. - In 2002, LSU was established at Florida Memorial UniversityFlorida Memorial UniversityFlorida Memorial University is a private coeducational four-year university in Miami Gardens, Florida. One of the 39 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund, and a historically Black, Baptist-related institution which is ranked second in Florida and ninth in the United States for...
, making it the first Latino Fraternity to be established at a private historically black university. - Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity was the first Latino organization to ever step against the Divine Nine.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity is said to be the most Diverse Latino Fraternity in the Nation.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity was the first organization to use cultural names and meanings to identify their chapters.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity was originally founded as a Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Latino Social Fellowship.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity have been labeled the "Kings of Stroll" as they have won the only nationally recognized National Stroll Tournament "Silk & Smooth" in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010. It should be noted they did not participate in 2008
Membership
Membership is open to all males enrolled at a college or university with or without an existing chapter of Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. Although a Latino fraternity, the word "Latino" is largely used to keep in sync with tradition. It is important to note Lambda Sigma Upsilon does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, parental status, or political affiliation.Philanthropy
After the passing of one of their founding fathers, Alberto Rivera in June 1989, due to H.I.V. / A.I.D.S. complications, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity has selected H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. research and awareness as its primary philanthropy. The Fraternity participates nation-wide in the donation of funds, cause walks, and informational programs towards the goal of curing, and creating a vaccination for, the disease. Lambda Sigma Upsilon has worked with the following H.I.V. / A.I.D.S. related organizations- NJ Hyacinth foundation
- AmFar-Leading National institution on AIDS research
- AIDS WALK NY
- Aid for AIDS International
Although, Lambda Sigma Upsilon holds H.I.V. /A.I.D.S. as its main philanthropy, many chapters take on chapter philanthropies in addition, and the organization also continues to participate in many volunteer and community service work geared specifically towards under-served communities. Some examples of the programs with which Lambda Sigma upsilon Latino Fraternity has participated are:
- Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC)
- Neighborhood Relations Clean up
- Adopt-A-Highway
- Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis
- Children's Wish Foundation
- Soup Kitchen: Elijah's Promise
- Family Shelter
- LSU Meals on Wheels
- Hurricane Mitch and Georges Relief Fund
- Positive Latino Association (PLA)
- American Red Cross