When prospective brothers stroll down fraternity row during rush week, they may not see all of their fraternal options just by looking at the houses.
Phi Iota Alpha, a historically Latino-American fraternity, does not participate in spring and fall rush week, nor does it have a house on fraternity row. Often, much of its recruitment comes from members’ involvement with other University students and the Baton Rouge community.
Many may recognize Phi Iota Alpha as the fraternity with the large tailgate that blasts Spanish music on the Parade Ground before football games in the fall. While Phi Iota Alpha President Vidal Villela said tailgating is used for recruitment, students can also see members volunteering in the community.
Along with community involvement, Phi Iota Alpha works all year long for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. By hosting events like Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and Dancing with Phiotas for UNICEF, the brothers are able to fundraise for their philanthropy cause. Phi Iota Alpha also hosts recruitment parties, with one coming up this weekend.
In 1931, Phi Lambda Fraternity, founded at the University of California at Berkeley, and Sigma Iota Fraternity merged to form the Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity. Thus, Phi Iota Alpha became the University’s first Latino fraternity and held the distinction of being the Alpha chapter for the new national organization.
Later, the University’s chapter disbanded and was re-organized in the spring of 2010, which then made the University chapter the Alpha Alpha chapter.
Despite not partaking in the usual recruitment processes, members of Phi Iota Alpha like Villela and Jason Avelar said they get the Greek experience just like brothers of any other fraternity.
“We’re very active with our Greek events like Songfest and Greek Week, as well as having a very active tailgating presence during football season,” Villela said.
He and Avelar both said the fraternity is a close-knit group of brothers.
“I love the sense of brotherhood in my chapter. In the event of an emergency, I could pull a random name from the chapter roster, and I know that person would be there for me at any time,” Villela said.
Avelar did encounter an emergency when he found out he would have to take summer courses to stay on track with his degree.
“I didn’t have the money to pay for it,” Avelar said. “So the brothers came together and gave me the funds to pay for the classes. Everyone here has each other’s back, and that’s just one example.”