Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Nickname: Phi-A or Phiotas
Founded Nationally: December 26, 1931 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Charter Date at SJU: April 1, 2000
Chapter: Alpha Gamma
Colors: Red, White, Navy Blue, & Gold
Membership Requirements: Must have a 2.5 GPA and a minimum of 12 credits.
National Site:http://www.phiota.org

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s roots were implanted at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 1898. A group of students inspired by the work of five great Latin American leaders called "The Five Pillars," founded a secret organization for Latino Americans, "La Union Hispano Americana" (UHA). This was the first association of Latin American students ever founded in the United States.

The year 1931 became the most significant date in the history of the fraternal organization for Latino Americans. On December 26, 1931, Phi Lambda Alpha and Sigma Iota, after several years of negotiations became Phi Iota Alpha. In 1932, to expand the richness of their cause, the fraternity developed "La Union Latino Americana" dividing America into twenty-one zones, (each being represented by a Greek letter) and the U.S. became number twenty-one, represented by "La Fraternidad."

 From the breakout of World War II to 1952, Phi Iota Alpha's brothers declined drastically due to the reduction in enrollment of Latino Americans in universities in the United States. By 1968, the only active undergraduate chapter of the fraternity existed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and by 1973, closed its doors along with ten other fraternities nationwide. During this period, the brothers of Phi Iota Alpha continued to strive to achieve the goals of the fraternity without the benefit of undergraduate chapters.

 Since the rebirth in 1984 the brotherhood has expanded throughout the Northeast, Southern and Central United States. The goal of the fraternity is to promote Latino awareness and the Latino culture in efforts to achieve an ideological principal of Pan-Americanism (the political and economical unification of Latin America).

 Today, the brothers at St. John's are working hard to create professional men and leaders in today's world.  They can be found in positions of New Student Orientation Leader, Alpha Mentors, Resident Assistants, and McNair Scholars.