PHI SIGMA CHI A Multicultural Fraternity.

By Monique Murray

(Members of PHI SIGMA CHI. Photo courtesy of Edwin Oquendo)

PHI SIGMA CHI is a multicultural fraternity with over ten Undergraduate Chapters. PHI SIGMA CHI has an outlined fraternal constitution, which includes promoting and cultivating education and social relations among students, strengthen- ing the unity of men on and off college campuses, and forming a life- long brotherhood among members. Their website displays current projects, such as addressing homeless- ness, the Beautification Volunteer Program, and Sickle Cell Disease awareness and Multicultural awareness.

I met three PHI SIGMA CHI brothers. I spoke with current Lehman student Edwin Oquendo (brother name: Tiburon) and his fraternity brothers International Stroll Master Big Bull Shaz (former Lehman Stu- dent) and Founder and National Council Vice President Archer Hutchinson, who will transition to Public Relations in November 2023.

When and why did the PHI SIGMA CHI start?

(Archer): We started at City Tech College CUNY, in November 1996. We came together through student activism. Our founders were all student activists working on different issues, such as environ- mental injustice, voter registration, mass transit improvement, and higher education funding. We, as students, understood these topics. We had different vehicles for expressing our interest while at college, but not after college. We wanted to be part of an organization that would help unify students who share similar interests, specifically in making positive community changes. The first thing that came to mind was a fraternity--an organization with lifelong member- ship. We did not want to be just about males, so we encouraged our start of the sorority, Delta Sigma Chi. Both organizations were incorporated simultaneously. We continue to take pride in diversity, equality, and equity. We aimed to raise the awareness of multiculturalism.

Where is the PHI SIGMA CHI- based?

(Archer): New York City, Buffalo, New York, and Pennsylvania.

So, what are the benefits of join- ing a fraternity?

(Tiburon): The benefits of having a fraternity are its resources and abil- ity to connect like-minded students.

Why did you join PHI SIGMA CHI?

(Big Bully Shaz): I joined because I am big on multiculturalism. It also allowed me to showcase my culture and learn about other cultures. Fraternity also helps in net- working. Currently, I am an advisor. I am also a Hip-Hop dance in- structor in an after-school program. My fraternity connects me. My brothers utilized my talent and pro- vided me with information to help me. I have been in the fraternity for almost eight years.

(Tiburon): Right after I graduated from Hostos Community College, I felt that my community needed more help. The Bronx has been the poorest borough for the longest time. And I just felt like. No matter what I do for my community, I am just one person. I joined them be- cause of their multiculturalism. It gives me a gateway to express my culture and to be with my brothers from different races and creeds. I love that I can ask my brother, "What are you doing tonight?’’ And they will invite me over.

Does the fraternity provide men- torship for its brothers?

(Big Bully Shaz): I also have a mentor-brother, Joseph, who attended Lehman College. Joseph graduated a few years ago, and he held a club. It was called the Greek Life Club. He was the President. I appreciate the club. Yet, with a fraternity or sorority, your member- ship is extended beyond a club. This allows you to keep your broth- ers accountable. It allows your brothers to ensure you are at the top of your game and giving back to the community. The PHI SIGMA CHI extends its relationship with its brothers outside a club. Mem- bers can experience all of New York City.

(Archer): The fraternity is a brotherhood that creates opportunities for brothers to excel in their work, provides support to get back up when they fall, and learns from failure and successes. PHI SIGMA CHI is a vehicle for change, which was one of our main reasons for creating the brotherhood. The beginning was to have a place students can turn to on campus to create change. I want students to understand when they join; they can grow and see that the world is larger than New York City. It allows you to think bigger and not be confined to the cycle that we've always gone through.

(Tiburon): Yes, the fraternity also provides mentors. My mentor-brother, Hercules of the Iota chapter, is serving overseas and continues to reach out to me.

Lehman does not have a frater- nity. What do you want students to know about fraternities?

(Tiburon): Correct, Lehman College does not have the funding to start a council. COVID-19 wiped out Greek life. A lot of Greek organizations are trying to rebuild. I am graduating next spring. My mission and goal for Lehman College is to bring something additional to what is offered here. I love that the PHI SIGMA CHI offers community services. For example, PHI SIGMA CHI participated in the AIDS walk. They also partnered with the New York Yankees and conducted a raffle event for the Covenant House.

Attending college and maintaining your grades are essential, but I feel because Lehman College is a commuter college, many students go home once they finish classes. Most do not show up to events. PHI SIGMA CHI coordinates community service projects outside the campus. As a former President, I don't want to shove Greek organizations down on students. I want to educate them. A person can join many different organizations. Lehman is one of the largest schools that [displays] multiculturalism. When I first started college, I did not realize nobody would be on top of me. Nobody was going to tell me to study. How- ever, my fraternity supports me in that aspect.

(Big Bully Shaz): The last thing I want to point out is that when you join a club on a campus right, you're in that club until you graduate. Fraternity occurs during and after college.

Since Lehman does not have a fraternity on campus, how can a student create a similar experience on campus?

(Tiburon): Multicultural Greek life clubs are a fantastic way to start. The mission is to educate and support students to unite with their communities in many ways. If anyone is interested in restarting the Greek Life Club, they should get in touch with Lehman student EWIN.OQUENDO@lc.cuny.edu