Gamma Zeta Alpha
Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is an American fraternity that emphasizes Latino culture and the success of Latino males in higher education. It was founded on December 3, 1987 at California State University, Chico in Chico, California.
Following its founding principles, the fraternity encourages and creates programs that assist disadvantaged and low-income communities. Its goals are to promote scholarship for Latinos in higher education while instilling a sense of pride in Latino heritage.
History
In 1987, fifteen men came together to found what would later become Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc.Expansion
Since its founding, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has expanded to include chapters at schools throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado. Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strives to ensure the potential for growth for all of its chapters once they are established. By teaching prospective members organizational knowledge and valuable skill sets to run a successful chapter, Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. sets a foundation that promotes the success of its chapters within the university and surrounding communities.NALFO
Established in 1998, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for 21 Latino Greek letter organizations across the United States. The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education.Symbols
The fraternity's colors are silver, black, and white. Its motto is "Cultivating Leaders, Strengthening Communities." Its pillars are academic excellence, community service, and brotherhood.Membership
Although Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is Latino by tradition, membership in the fraternity is open to all college males and includes members from various ethnicities including Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, White, European, and others.To begin the membership education process of Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc., every prospective member must fulfill the following requirements:
- be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at a four-year college or university.
- have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
Member misconduct allegations
Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has faced allegations of misconduct, particularly concerning sexual misconduct and policy violations. In July 2020, the fraternity acknowledged recent allegations against its members and issued a public statement emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance on sexual misconduct.In October 2020, the San Diego State University chapter of Gamma Zeta Alpha was implicated in organizing an in-person social gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic, violating university policies. University staff received reports of the planned gathering, leading chapter leadership to instruct members to cancel the event. However, fraternity members from different households convened at an off-campus apartment before proceeding to another location, contravening public health guidelines and university directives.
These incidents have prompted Gamma Zeta Alpha to try to implement structural changes within the organization. In response to misconduct allegations, certain members of the Board of Directors and Committee Members stepped down from their leadership roles at the request of the Executive Officers.