Nu Sigma Beta Fraternity () is a Puerto Rican fraternity. It was established in October of 1937 at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus, by 11 students from diverse backgrounds. It quickly expanded and 89 years later, there are chapters and zones all over the island and the United States.
History The eleven founding fathers were: (1) Pedro Urbiztondo, from Cataño; (2) Héctor Morell, from Camuy; (3) Baltasar Quiñones, from Aguada ; (4) Juan Pedrosa, from Guaynabo; (5) Santiago Ortiz, from Arroyo ; (6) Carios M. Vidal, from Río Piedras; (7) José Del Valle, from Guaynabo; (8) José A. Luina, from Fajardo; (9) Osvaldo Goyco, from Ponce; (10) Rubén Gaztambide, from Añasco; and (11) Juan A. Carrillo, from Yabucoa.
The fraternity's first board (Alpha Chapter) was composed of:
Chancellor: Carlos M. Vidal Vice-Chancellor: Rubén Gaztambide Arrillaga Secretary: Baltasar Quiñones Treasurer: Juan Pedrosa Board Member: Héctor Morell
These members came together on the Rio Piedras Campus and decided to form their social fraternity based on the principles of appreciation, respect, and tolerance, among other qualities. Believing this, they established a non-profit organization to develop helpful community-oriented citizens, promoting sincere friendship and a sense of brotherhood. Nu Sigma Beta was established with a written constitution.
Shortly after it was established, they celebrated their first initiation ceremony. During this ceremony, seven students joined them. These new members were:
Ramon E. "Pito" Llovet Pedro A. Mattei Luís A. Berríos Japhet Ramírez Ledesma Jesús Mediavilla José Garabis Edwin Cortés García
The fraternity quickly expanded and grew in numbers. By 1939, the fraternity opened its second chapter at the UPR-Mayaguez, formerly known as CAAM. This chapter became known as the Beta chapter and the San Juan chapter became the Alpha chapter. The fraternity has continually grown and expanded to encompass almost all institutions of higher learning within Puerto Rico and some beyond. Today, more than 89 years after its founding, there have been new chapters created in the Dominican Republic and the United States. There are chapters in Florida, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and others; there are also zones in Orlando, Texas, and other states. Recently the fraternity organized the reopening of the Nu chapter at the Universidad Central del Este at San Pedro de Macorís There are also chapters in the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.
The fraternity's need to be organized at a central level, due to its expanding nature, led it to be divided into Zones and chapters. Those still in college are inducted into chapters, while those who are not in college or after the age of 28 are inducted into zones. Chapter members are transferred into zones upon completing their undergraduate and/or graduate studies.
In November 1957 together with Phi Sigma Alpha and Phi Eta Mu they founded a Greek letter umbrella organization Concilio Interfraternitario de Puerto Rico.
Symbols Nu Sigma Beta's colors are white, azur, and gold. Its flower is the gardenia.
Preamble "Animados por el propósito de crear una organización basada en la verdadera nobleza que encierra aquella amistad, inspirada en la lealtad, el compañerismo y para fomentar el desarollo de ciudadanos útiles a la comunidad. Establecemos esta Fraternidad, cuyo futuro confíamos al Todopoderoso."
Toast "Jamás existió en el mundo una hermandad tan franca y tan sincera entre hombres que se aprecian, se respetan, y se toleran hasta que seres conscientes de la hermandad, que Dios quisó que prevaleciera en el mundo, unieron sus destinos en un cariño profundo. Sigamos hoy proyectando nuestro optimismo para que siempre sea la misma. ¡Y demos tan solo un brindis: por el hombre, la hermandad, y la Nu Sigma!"
Internal Governance The fraternity is governed by a presiding or executive committee, composed primarily of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, General Secretary, and General Treasurer. It also has a separate body acting as the legislative and judicial branches, simultaneously. The Supreme Council is presided over by the Executive Secretary. The governing bodies can only take action based on the rules of the fraternity, but the executive decision relies on the General Assembly, which is composed of zone and chapter delegates. The Constitution may only be amended in General Assembly.
Chapters are governed by a body composed of a Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Treasurer, Secretary and two board members.
Zones are governed by a body composed of Director, Sub-Director, Treasurer, Secretary and two board members.
Philanthropy The fraternity is dedicated to the creation of outstanding citizens in their community. As a result, the fraternity has many community-based programs, such as drug prevention campaigns, charity sports tournaments, and blood drives for local hospitals and the American Red Cross. Members are active in their communities, participating in environmental campaigns like SCUBA Dogs. Nu Sigma Beta also holds an annual golf tournament benefiting Instituto Santa Ana y el Colegio Caliope and her organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, Hogar Niñito Jesus, United Way, and The Salvation Army.
Chapters
Collegiate chapters These are the collegiate chapters of the Nu Sigma Beta fraternity.
ChapterEstablishedInstitutionLocationStatusAlphaUniversity of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras CampusRio Piedras, Puerto RicoActiveBeta (RUM)University of Puerto Rico at MayaguezMayaguez, Puerto RicoActiveGamma Interamerican University of Puerto RicoSan German, Puerto RicoActiveDelta (PUCPR)Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto RicoActiveEpsilon Villanova University and PennsylvaniaVillanova, PennsylvaniaInactiveZeta–1967George Washington UniversityWashington D.CInactiveOmegaUniversity of MiamiCoral Gables, FloridaInactive, ReissuedKappaUniversity of Puerto Rico School of MedicineSan Juan, Puerto RicoInactive, ReissuedOmicron Study Center of the Inter-American University in AreciboArecibo, Puerto RicoInactive, ReissuedChi–1967University of Puerto Rico School of LawRío Piedras, Puerto RicoInactive, ReissuedOmega–1972Inter-American University of Hato ReyHato Rey, Puerto RicoInactive, ReissuedNu–1986Universidad Central del Este San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican RepublicInactive, ReissuedOmega–1980Loyola University and Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LouisianaInactive, ReissuedKappa University of Puerto Rico at CayeyCayey, Puerto RicoActiveOmegaUniversity of Puerto Rico at Humacao Humacao, Puerto RicoActiveOmicrón 1958University of Puerto Rico at AreciboArecibo, Puerto RicoActiveChi Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FloridaActive
Alumni chapters These are the Zones or alumni chapters of the Nu Sigma Beta fraternity.
ChapterCharter date and rangeLocationStatusZona AlumniMayaguez, Puerto RicoActiveZona AreciboArecibo, Puerto RicoActiveZona Betances1992Mayaguez, Puerto RicoActiveZona Borikén2019Dorado, Puerto RicoActiveZona CayeyCayey, Puerto RicoActiveZona CentroCaguas, Puerto RicoActiveZona GuajatacaIsabela, Puerto RicoActiveZona HumacaoHumacao, Puerto RicoActiveZona KofresiQuebradillas, Puerto RicoActiveZona LajasLajas, Puerto RicoActiveZona MiamiMiami, FloridaActiveZona OrlandoOrlando, FloridaActiveZona PoncePonce, Puerto RicoActiveZona San FelipeSan Juan, Puerto RicoActiveZona San JuanSan Juan, Puerto RicoActiveZona San PatricioSan Juan, Puerto RicoActiveZona SeñorialPonce, Puerto RicoActiveZona YaucoYauco, Puerto RicoActive
Notable members
René Marqués - influential and renowned Puerto Rican short story writer, journalist, poet and playwright Ramon Torres - member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Rubén Berríos – three-time senator, lawyer, and president of the Puerto Rican Independence Party Luis Alfredo Colon Velanuez – senator 1944 to 1968, municipal judge of Lares 1943 to 1944 Rafael Cordero Santiago – mayor of Ponce 1989 to 2004 José Esteves – journalist with Telemundo Canal 2 Pedro Ruben Gaztambide Arrillaga – former mayor of Río Piedras and member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico William "Willito" Miranda Torres – mayor of Caguas, Puerto Rico Jorge Pierluisi Diaz – former Secretary of Housing of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia – 14th Governor of Puerto Rico and the Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico in the United States House of Representatives Efraín Rivera Pérez – former member of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico
See also List of social fraternities and sororities
References
External links
Nu Beta Sigma Convention 2018-2019 (in Spanish)