Thousands of students try to find their places in a greek organization each semester, but not every student finds an organization that suits them.
Sophomore Keshav Muralitharan said he struggled to find a greek organization to call home last year. After failing to find an Interfraternity Council chapter where he fit, he decided to start his own.
Muralitharan is now the president of Beta Chi Theta, IU's first South Asian fraternity, one of two new fraternities part of the Multicultural Greek Council.
“Initially, I rushed IFC and was just seeing how they were, but then I saw a huge gap and opportunity,” Muralitharan said. “I noticed there was no South Asian fraternity here, but all the other big schools like Rutgers, Penn State, Michigan and even Purdue have one. I thought it would be a good opportunity for Indiana to have one.”
After seeing that other nearby schools have a South Asian fraternity, Muralitharan took this opportunity to start the first South Asian fraternity on campus and has been working this past year with MCGC and Beta Chi Theta national headquarters to start the chapter.
“The hardest part about starting a chapter is the paperwork and logistics,” Muralitharan said. “Every other chapter that is already established doesn’t have to do that, and we have to present why we’re fit for the council and what kind of services we provide and tell what we bring to the council that wasn’t already there.”
Beta Chi Theta currently has four active members, but Muralitharan encourages interested male students of all races to join. Muralitharan said the chapter organizes many South Asian cultural events, but the organization is inclusive for all men.
Along with Beta Chi Theta, Enrique Lopez started Lambda Sigma Upsilon, another new Multicultural Greek Council fraternity.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon is a Latino fraternity that was started by now-president Lopez. Lopez started the organization with IU alumnus Javier Becerra after desiring a chapter that stood out from the rest.
Becerra was a law student last semester who had interest in starting a chapter at IU after founding a chapter as an undergraduate at Georgia College & State University. Becerra is now the National Director of Expansion for Lambda Sigma Upsilon.
“Being a part of Lambda Sigma Upsilon changed my life,” Becerra said. “I thought it was something that could really help students at Indiana University the way it helped me. I was lucky that I was able to help this at IU and set an example for the younger guys, like Enrique.”
Since last year, Lopez has been working to meet requirements to become an official member. Lambda Sigma Upsilon is recognized by national headquarters, but is in the process of being recognized by IU.
Lopez said the biggest challenge of starting a new chapter is balancing learning about greek life, recruiting members and creating a platform.
“You’re exposed to this new environment,” Lopez said. “Other chapters that are already established can just recruit new members, and they know the ins and outs of greek life, but we don’t. I feel like for us we have to fail so we can learn, but I feel that other chapters don’t.”
Lopez said the chapter currently has three active members, which is small for a chapter, but he is hoping the numbers grow soon.
“We’re small, but I have high hopes. Just wait on it,” Lopez said.
