Asian-American Cultural Greek Organizations at UCLA

University of California at Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Greek life consists of 66 organizations making up of 3,800 students. Greek organizations have been a vital aspect of the UCLA experience since 1923, and have continued to grow and change over the years. UCLA actually has six governing councils protatining to greek life, one of them being the Asian Greek Council (AGC). This council is made of three chapters; Chi Alpha Delta, Omega Sigma Tau, and Theta Kappa Pi.

UCLA’s Asain Greek Council (headquarters pictured above) encourages its member organizations to embrace their Asian ancestry and explore it. They also aim to promote inclusion and awareness of the ways people of asian descent can be treated in the United States amongst the general student population. The three organizations that make up this council have members that involve themselves in different athletics, philanthropies, social events, and academics. The AGC hosts events regarding the mental health awareness of asian Americans, where they aim to bridge generations through professional resources and storytelling. Let us dive into the organizations that make up this council and what they bring to UCLA and how they interact in their experience as asian-american based organizations.

Theta Kappa Phi

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Theta Kappa Phi was founded in 1959 at UCLA. Born from the aftermath of World War II, Thea Kappa Phi has an amazing origin story. During a time where there was a strong racial prejudice towards Asains, the country finally appealing Asian exclusion laws and segregation laws, Margaret Ohara was being rewarded with a Panhellenic scholarship as her last name was falsely assumed to make her Irish. Upon seeing that Ohara was actually Japanese-American, the Greek panel publicly regretted their decision and barred her from joining any Greek organizations. Ohara was obviously insulted by this obvious act of racial prejudice, and as a result decided to gather other asian female students to create their own sorority. 

Since then, Theta Kappa Phi has continued to grow and flourish, their values focusing on faith, love, and trust. Theta Kappa Phi sisters do bonding events such as family dinners, boba runs, sisterhood retreats, study sessions, and potlucks. Additionally, Theta Kappa Phi gives back to the community through the Revlon Run/Walk for breast cancer awareness, volunteering on campus, and environmental cleanups. 

Omega Sigma Tau

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The Omega Sigma Tau fraternity was established at UCLA in 1966, and was the first and largest Asian-interest fraternity atht he college. This fraternity values itself on brotherhood, confidence

class, excellence, and diversity. Omega Sigma Tau prides itself on its professional networking opportunities, academic support system, and sense of family. Omega Sigma Tau’s philanthropy is the Little Tokyo Recreation Center – Battle Royale, which is a sports and activity center in Downtown LA that hosts a dance competition where the proceeds go to the LA84 Foundation. 

Chi Alpha Delta

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Chi Alpha Delta was established in 1929 at UCLA, Helen M. Laughlin, the Dean of Women at the time, aiding in their organizing. Chi Alpha Delta values friendship, communication, school service, school spirit, and social activity amongst women of Asian descent. During World War II, Chi Alpha Delta was rendered inactive at UCLA due to the racial prejudice and legal discimination occurring against asian people at the time. In 1946 they were reinstated, and since have continued to promote their values. Chi Alpha Delta’s main philanthropy is the Center for Pacific Asian Family, which helps women who are affected by sexual assault or domestic violence. They also do a variety of other service work, such as the LAAIDS Walk and volunteering for children and the elderly.