Latina sorority seeks new members

For nearly a decade, the women of Gamma Phi Omega have been establishing their base and striving to continue tradition started by six alumni. Gamma Phi Omega officially became a chapter at IU Jan. 22, 1992 and is the campus' first Hispanic sorority.\nToday the women of Gamma Phi Omega are continuing and striving to uphold their traditions.\n"When forming Gamma Phi Omega, a lot of principles were in mind," explained Samantha Soto, a junior and sorority member. "The previous girls felt that the greek system needed to expand into the Latina culture and provide more opportunities for Latina women. I feel that it is important that those girls made the initiative to do something for our culture." \nTo keep the sorority running smoothly and strongly, the previous active members formulated four major goals -- academic excellence, cultural awareness, community service and sisterhood -- which members must learn, perfect and exercise regularly. \n"Each goal we take into great consideration, in our actions as a student and as an organization," said junior Stephanie Santiago. \nEster Medina, a junior, said she strongly believes that "academics come first." \nIn following the "academic excellence" goal, the organization holds mandatory study tables once a week. All members must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or above. Although Gamma Phi Omega does not own a unified housing project where all members reside, chapter meetings are held weekly at the Latino Cultural Center (La Casa), 715 E. 7th St., to discuss events, goals and other pertinent issues. \nCultural awareness, another of the four goals, provides programs for individuals to become involved in the organization. The chapter interacts with the African-American Greek chapters and other campus minority groups, to provide an open atmosphere where everybody is welcome and accepted. \n"We want them to learn more about us, as well as us learn about them," Medina said. \nSome of Gamma Phi Omega's other accomplishments include completing 13.5 hours of community service per semester. Last year, the members built cages and fences for animals in the Bloomington Animal Shelter, collected clothing and canned goods for charity donations and organized a mentor program at Bloomington High School North. \nAlthough the sorority does not participate in formal rush, the sisters are continually seeking interested members. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, members will hold a cultural dinner at 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at La Casa. The dinner costs $3 or $4 at the door and is open to the public. \n"We participate in many events, hold events and try to get more and more people involved," Santiago said.\nGamma Phi Omega is also establishing chapters on other campuses including: the University of Illinois at Chicago, DePaul, DePauw, Aurora, Ball State, Loyola and Northern Illinois. Future prospects include renting or leasing a house designated solely for Gamma Phi Omega members, which will be passed down from chapter to chapter. Other goals consist of recruiting, encouraging and expressing the four Gamma Phi Omega goals.\nFor more information about Gamma Phi Omega call La Casa at 855-1740.