Winter 12 - Phiota Magazine

Winter 2011 Phiota! 1

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 TA A L P H A F R AT E R N I T Y, I N C .

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

www.phiota.info

WINTER 2011

PHIOTA!

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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 oldest existing latino fraternity, establish in December 26, 1931 at Troy, New York, with its roots beginning at 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 www.phiota.info

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P H O T O G R A P H Y

OMARContentsPHIOTA! * WINTER 2011

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4

Cost of Education

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UNICEF Snowflake Ball

Los Guardianes de la Libertad

COVER IMAGE: 80th Anniversary Logo

Do you want to have an image taken by you as the next cover? Submit your image to [email protected]

Southern Province-Thanksgiving Adoption-Salute to Greatness Award-World Cultural Festival

Forgotten Piece of History

Phiotas at the Animo

Domestic Violence

Kappa Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, IncSnowflake Ball with UNICEFBy: Jairo Sanchez-Chavez

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On December 1st, 2011 the Kappa Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. partnered with UNICEF and Pratit international to host the second annual Snowflake Ball in the Goldstein Auditorium inside the Schine Student Center in Syracuse University. The event was a major success, with speakers and performers show-ing perspectives from various parts of the world.

This year, the Kappa Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. made it their mission to raise at least $300, for UNICEF and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on a nationwide scale made it their mission to raise at least $4,000 for UNI-CEF. Both goals were achieved beyond expec-tation as the Kappa Chapter raised $650, and the fraternity nationwide raised $10, 564.87. Such efforts would not have been possible if it were not for all the effort of all the broth-ers nationwide who fundraised for this worthy cause and those who supported us with their generosity.

The ball began with all three organiza-tions introducing themselves and also giving acknowledgement that December 1st is World Aids Day.

Afterwards, Ankit Sethi a representative from Two Degrees, a food company whose mission is to feed 200 million hungry children, through means of their nutrition packs. These nutrition packs are endorsed by World Health Organi-zation and treat chronic and severely malnour-ished children with success rates up to 95%.

Sethi spoke of the efforts being made to treat malnutrition in various countries in East Af-rica, specifically Malawi. In addition, he also showed a video that dictated the struggles of these children suffering from malnutrition, but also displayed the efforts made by Two De-grees in treating this condition through their involvement as well as their nutrition packs. Sethi closed by listing various ways we can help support Two Degrees in their mission, which are all dictated in their website, twode-greesfood.com.

Afterwards, Middle Eastern speaker Mo-hammad spoke from a Middle Eastern per-spective as well as showed a video dictating the struggles faced by children in the Middle East showing the importance of organizations like UNICEF that make it their mission to help these children by any means necessary. After

the first performance of the night the Raices Dance Troupe. Raices Dance Troupe was es-tablished during the fall of 1997 by a group of students who wanted to educate the SU com-munity about the richness and diversity of the Latino culture through music and dance. Since its inception, it has remained as the only Latin dance group on the Syracuse University Cam-pus.

After their stellar performance, Two Bars speaker Kevin Phu came to speak, and next followed a performance by Syracuse Orange Bhangra and Zinda. Syracuse Orange Bhangra is the co-ed Bhangra dance team at SU. Bhangra is a traditional style of dance from the Punjab region of northern India. Zinda is the official Syracuse University competitive Gar-ba-Raas Dance team, dedicated to promoting South Asian culture through their innovative choreography. Both teams put on stellar per-formances to bring in the concluding speaker of the night, Mary Nell Cummings.

Mary Nell Cummings was the keynote speaker of the night from UNICEF headquarters. She spoke of how good our lives are compared to those struggling each day and how it is im-perative that we assist them. She also spoke of her own life-story and how being a part of UNICEF has changed her perspectives and also how working so closely to UNICEF has made her seen with her own eyes the struggles impoverished children go through everyday increases her dedication to UNICEF on a daily basis. She concluded her speech by thanking UNICEF, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Pratit International for all the hard work done by all three organizations in helping with this matter and finished her speech by saying that every little bit of contribution makes a differ-ence.

On behalf of the Kappa Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha, Fraternity Inc. we would like to thank UNICEF, Pratit International, and all the chap-ter nationwide for helping in this event. With-out all you, the success of this event would not have been possible.


By: Jesus Coronado This year the Alpha Xi Chapter at The University of Texas at Austin hosted an event that sought to commemorate Latino veterans in our community who have served in the United States Military.

This evening consisted of a dinner prepared by chapter brothers, awards ceremony, and a special presentation by keynote speaker: Ernesto Nieto, founder of the National Hispanic Institute.

Honorable veneration was given to veterans who participated in the Vietnam War, Korean War, and WW II. All invited guests experienced an emotional commemoration as we honored one of our own brothers, Enrique Martinez from the Alpha Eta Chapter at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

The idea for this event was originally developed by the Gamma line back in Spring 2009 and finally became a reality this November.

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Now an established tradition at the University of Texas at Austin, the Alpha Xi chapter seeks to program future events such as this one for years to come. Keep an eye out as we seek to make a difference in our community!

Los Guardianes de La Libertad: Commemorating Latino Veterans in the US Military


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Rafael Arciga Garcia, Director of Member-ship Services for Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc and a founder for the Alpha Lambda chapter at the University of Arkansas was among the 2012 Salute to Greatness Award recipients. Bro. Rafael, was selected to receive the Ernestine White-Gibson Individual Achievement Award in recognition of an individual who has given to his community though service, leadership and commitment.

The awards are sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. planning com-mittee and the ceremony will take place at the 16th Annual Recommitment banquet on Janu-ary 16th, 2012 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Bro. Rafael Arciga Garcia also serves as the Arkansas state Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and currently works for the University of Arkansas office of Admissions and office of Diversity as

Phiota receives: 2012 Salute to Greatness Award

Every year the Alpha Xi Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. at The University of Texas at Austin hosted hosts an annual thanks-giving dinner for a family that does not have the funds or resources to have such dinner dur-ing the holidays.

Past dinners have been hosted for families with single mothers, parents who have lost their jobs, and for families that don’t know about the tradition of Thanksgiving. Since Christmas is around the corner, gifts are also given to each family member that attends.

This year the Alpha Xi Chapter hosted a din-ner, fully cooked by brothers, to two families that live in Austin area. One family consisted of a teenager who recently lost his mother in the past year and the other family included a single mother of five children.

As professional Latino men, we tend to use this event as a method to provide mentorship and guidance to the children. We try to mo-tivate them and show them the positive out-

comes of graduating high school and attending college. We had the opportunity to meet four individual teenagers, each with their own per-sonal problems that involved school, conduct, and law issues.

All of these individuals definitely have the opportunity to succeed in life all they need is the guidance and motivation to be steered in the right direction. We spoke about different career possibilities and are now in the process of shadowing several individuals who work in their desired profession.

This event certainly works to remind us about being thankful for the things that we have in life and as a remembrance that it’s never to late to continue to pursue a career. We look forward to programming several events that benefit the community.

Phiotas adopt a Family for Thanksgiving Dinner

an admissions counselor. The mission of the Northwest Arkansas Mar-tin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee is to continue to advance and promote the dream, life, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which emphasizes love and action.

For more information on the NWA Martin Luther King Jr planning committee visit:http://www.nwamlk.org/

Southern Province

On October 8th, 2011 the Alpha Lambda chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. along with the city of Lowell, Arkansas hosted the first ever World Cultures Festival in Lowell. The event was a vibrant multicultural festival. The festival’s goal was to encourage understanding, appreciation and respect as well as to embrace the cultural diversity of the Northwest Arkansas’ community. The festival was a fun-filled day of activities, traditional music, dances, food from across the globe. Among the different co-sponsors and participants were La Z Spanish radio station, La Prensa Libre Spanish newspaper, La Mas Mexicana Spanish radio station, Univision Arkansas, the Zumba Ladies, Torres Tours, Latinas In Action, the Gamma chapter of Gamma Eta, the city of Lowell, Hmong singers, Flor Morena, Alejandro Fonseca, the Raices Latinas Ballet Folklorico and the University of Arkansas.

World Cultures Festival


The Cost of Education


Today’s Lesson:-Benito Juárez-Simon Bolivar-José Martí-Bernado O’higgins-José de San Martín

By: Reymundo Gamino

With the recent budget cuts going on throughout higher learning institutions students have lost countless programs and facilities. Here at University of California San Diego (UCSD) students have been dealt a huge blow by these budget cuts. Over the last year, the school has closed three main library facilities: the Medical Center Library (April 2011); the Center for Library & Instructional Computing Services (CLICS) (June 2011); and the International Relations & Pacific Studies (IR/PS) Library (July 2011).

Cutting funding towards our schools libraries should be the last option that should be implemented when looking to save money. Libraries serve as safe havens for students in search of a quiet and peaceful environment to study in. Located about a hundred yards away from Revelle, UCSD’s oldest college (UCSD is divided into 6 different colleges), CLICS was an icon for high-academic achievement. With its closure Revelle students are left without a convenient close-by place to study and are forced to traverse a long distance to get to the nearest library. Moat students resort to studying in their rooms which are inadequate places at best for anyone trying to seek wisdom and knowledge. I have personally faced this problem and have found it really troublesome to find a good place to study. CLICS was my “to go” place to study. It had it all: computers, books, study rooms and presentation rooms.

With tuitions fees being raised every year it doesn’t make sense why all of these libraries are being shut down. It would make sense that our dollars be used to better our library facilities as well as other programs. We, the students, are paying top dollar to attend a school of higher learning that should do its best to provide us an environment that promotes learning. In order to create a more academic environment the campus administration has to understand that closing libraries is the last thing that should be on their lists to go when managing the budget. The libraries are the way in which we accomplish our mission here as students.

As of a couple days ago all three libraries have remained closed and see no signs of opening. In recent news students began to camp out of CLICS starting finals week in an effort to open the facility. CLICS used to remain open twenty four seven during the week of finals. Students were able to force themselves in and able to temporarily convince administration to keep it open for the remainder of finals week. In the end this can serve as hope for our diminishing libraries throughout campus.



On December 3, 2011 The California State University Long Beach Colony of Phi Iota Alpha participated in the 8th annual Animo: Young Men’s Conference. The conference provided the young men with mentorship, motivational speakers, live entertainment, empowering activities geared to inspire young Latinos.

When first hearing about this event, the colony decided to jump on the idea of men-toring and volunteering at Animo. Most of the young men who attended were from La Puente High School, Afterschool Homework House program in Azusa, children of migrant farm workers, and an at risk boarding school for young men.

With over 150 young men present on the day of the conference financial assistance was neededed. With the sponsorship of Walt Disney, ABC 7, California State University Fullerton, and Family success by design the conference was free of charge to all attendees.

The conference had some celebrity speakers like Tattoo from 92.3 K-Day radio station, Jesse Flores lead singer of Vudu Café, and ABC 7 news reporter Sid Garcia.

One of the guest speaker was Martin Garcia, a brother from Alpha Kappa Chapter, whom flew from Pennsylvania to attend the confer-ence. He has been participating in the confer-ence for 4 years and counting. Martin Garcia first attended the conference while he was

enrolled at La Puente High School. Now he returned to the conference as and undergrad at Villanova University. He spoke to the young men and showed them that achieving a col-lege degree is possible.

The Colony was also in attendance at the conference. Their intentions were to show the young men support and possibly become their role models.

The colony believes that young Latinos need a sense of direction and this was an opportu-nity to help guide them. They did not only give back to the community but they help out their fellow Latino men. Animo!

Phiotas at the Animo:Young Men’s Conference


By: Jordan Owens

As the day’s fly by and winter approaches at a rapid pace, The Brother Of Phi Iota Alpha have been hard at work. The brothers of the Umass Amherst chapter pride themselves on their campus involvement, and making it their prerogative in spreading awareness on relevant issue.

With the help of the sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, and the Every Woman's Center on Monday, October 24, The Alpha Iota Chapter brothers successfully hosted their second an-nual Domestic violence event. For the event a film titled “Enough” Staring Jennifer Lopez was played, follow by an in depth discussion on domestic violence in the world today.

Domestic violence occurs in every culture, country and age group. It affects people from all socioeconomic, educational and religious backgrounds and takes place in same sex as well as heterosexual relationships. Even those who do not directly witness it, such as chil-dren, can be affected.

As Umass students filled the Every Womens Center, the room quickly became a safe zone, in which students were given the chance to express their feelings on the issue. Many stu-dents spoke in detail on the subject, some from personal experience or just stories they have heard.

In addition to the discussion the Every Wom-en’s Center took it a step further by providing Domestic Violence hotline numbers, and ways to help someone in such an ordeal.

We have to realize that we can in fact change the world in which we live in, simple things like discussing with your peers, and hearing others views can help a tremendous amount.

All in all, the domestic violence event went exceptionally well, and was just one more step in the fight to end domestic violence. Domes-tic violence should not happen to anybody. But unfortunately it does, and when it does remember, there is help.

Domestic Violence Awareness


One idea for a classroom assignment quickly developed into an opportunity for students to learn more about a piece of history that seemed to be forgotten.

On November 5, 2011—Students, community members and professors filled room 105 of Al-kek Library of Texas State University Thurs-day night for the presentation and screening of the film Harvest of Loneliness: The Bracero Program, which focused on the history of the Bracero program.

The Bracero program, which ran from 1942 through 1964, allowed Mexican natives to participate in temporary agriculture work in the United States. These men took over the jobs of workers who left to fight in World War II, helping the United States prosper during its time of need. More than 4.5 million men were legally contracted to work, travelling to and from Mexico during crop seasons.

The film event was a collaboration between the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha, Omicron Chapter of Kappa Delta Chi Soror-ity, Inc., Sigma Delta Lambda Sorority, Texas League of United Latin American Citizens and

Bilingual Education Student Organization.

Nathan Salazar, criminal justice senior, said he wanted people to know the importance of the Bracero history, the people affected by the program and how it still affects the Latino community today.

“I feel like that part of history is forgotten and is not really taught well because there isn’t a lot of knowledge on it,” Salazar said. Gloria Velasquez, senior lecturer of modern languages, presented a lecture on the history of the Bracero program to start off the event. Velasquez, whose father was a Bracero work-er, had personal experience with the Bracero program.

Velasquez said Bracero workers were looking for a better life. She discussed the negative as-pects of the Bracero program – the abuse and neglect the workers suffered as they tried to improve the lives of their families and them-selves.

Velasquez said the owners of ranches where the Braceros worked inspected people to deter-mine if they were worthy of even participating


in the program. Upon the arrival to the United States the Braceros were taken to a center where they were searched for vegetables, weapons, marijuana or similar contraband by the Department of Agriculture.

“Can you imagine arriving to the border or where you’re going to be processed and people asking you to take off your clothes because they were going to spray you with insecti-cide?” Velasquez said. “That’s worse than prison.”

Following the lecture, the film Harvest of Loneliness: The Bracero Program was screened, giving attendees insight to the per-sonal stories of the men in the program.

Jose Ruperto DeLeon, San Antonio resident, presented his story of time in the Bracero pro-gram after the film, DeLeon said he could not complain about the places he worked. He only wished there had not been a lack of food.

DeLeon began working as a Bracero at the age of 22 in 1995, picking cotton in Barrancas. He said during the times he was inspected to become a Bracero, it was common to see men

using lollipop sticks off the ground to create callouses on their hands.

During his third or fourth time of being con-tracted, DeLeon arrived in Piedras Negras, Coahuila. He was referred by a friend there to labor for a man who gave his workers better opportunity compared to other ranch owners. Men would pick cotton from sunrise to sunset, often not being able to sleep comfortably at night.

Deisy DeLeon, international studies senior, is the grand-daughter of Jose DeLeon.She uses the stories her grandfather tells her as a motivation to inform other students on the importance of Bracero history. DeLeon said her grandfather tells her he wants to see his grandchildren be successful and not repeating what he did when he was younger.

“My grandfather and my father always tell me, ‘Mija, you don’t want to be like us, working out in the fields or out in the sun. I really want you to finish school and put your studies be-fore everything,’” DeLeon said.

Forgotten Piece of History



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