Greek life on campus sees changes

During East Bay’s homecoming week Winton Anderson took over the position of Greek Life and Cultural Advisor, after five years at California State University, East Bay as an Enrollment and Outreach Counselor.

“I took the position because I have a Greek background and I also desired to expand the Greek life here on CSUEB Campus,” said Anderson, who is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Anderson’s position as Greek Life and Cultural Advisor grants him a great amount of responsibilities and obligations.

“I oversee everything from budget to disciplinary actions, such as sanctions, approving and help setting up programs, assuring students and organizations are staying in compliance of grades,” Anderson said.    Building upon the foundation that former Greek Life Advisor Megan Lebre laid Anderson has five aims for the Greek Life Community: quality, scholarship, leadership development, servitude and “Be OWT.” “Be OWT” is described as simply telling Greeks to represent their organization the best way possible.

Currently there are over 20 active Greek organizations on campus which includes national, local and cultural Greek organizations.

The process for a Greek organization to be recognized on campus is to first get approval from the national organization if they are attempting to join one, then complete various forms such as Recognition and Renewal Forms provided by the SLLP office, and finally have regional support such as alumni and graduate advisors.

In addition they must provide insurance information along with application and fee requirements for individuals who plan on joining the respected organization. This skims the surface of what it takes for an organization to come to campus though and more information can be found in the SLLP office or on their website.

Recent additions to Greek life at CSUEB came in 2014 and included two Latina organizations, Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Lambda Theta Nu, Inc.
“Our sorority was very welcomed by the CSUEB community. Being an interest group for four years really helped us build relationships with other organizations on and off campus. Student Life was very supportive in helping us establish, we could not have done it without their help and encouragement,” said senior Hidalme Giron, a member of Lambda Theta Alpha, Inc. “It was truly an honor to have accomplished our dream.”

A few of the local and regional organizations that were founded on campus that are still currently active are Alpha Kappa Omega fraternity, Kappa Xi sorority, and Sigma Delta Upsilon fraternity. One club that is still in the process of being a recognized organization is the Zeta Omega fraternity.

In regards to how the campus varies from other university’s Anderson said, “Our numbers are the larger part of the difference, because of our diversity we have the opportunity to have a lot of local and unique orgs, which makes CSUEB unique.”

Anderson is working towards doing great things with Greek Life on campus; one proposed event he is aiming to launch is a Greek student and faculty-staff mixer. The purpose of the event is to get all students and faculty/staff network to share stories about Greek Life and introduce fraternity brothers and sorority sisters who had no idea they were a part of the same organization.

An aspect of Greek life on campus that differs from other school’s is a lack of Greek Housing, as CSUEB is primarily considered a commuter school, one of the reasons why there isn’t a Greek Row. One long-term goal Anderson seeks is to have a Greek Suite to hold meetings, socials, events and other Greek Life Activities.

“I would say don’t get excited about what you know Greek life to be, but be excited for where its going to go, its like Greek life the remix,” said Anderson.