Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated (ΜΣΥ) is a multicultural intercollegiate sorority founded on November 21, 1981 at Rutgers University, New Brunswick and is recognized as the First Multicultural Sorority in the Nation.[2] It is a non-profit Greek-lettered organization for college-educated women that promotes the goals of Academic Achievement, Unity Amongst All Women, and University and Community Service.[3] Mu Sigma Upsilon is a multicultural-based sorority in the United States and a founding member of the National Multicultural Greek Council.

Mu Sigma Upsilon
ΜΣΥ
FoundedNovember 21, 1981; 43 years ago (1981-11-21)
Rutgers University–New Brunswick
TypeCultural Interest
AffiliationNMGC
StatusActive
ScopeNational
MottoMujeres Siempre Unidas
("Women Always United")
Colors  Baby Blue and   White
SymbolAmazon Woman
PublicationThe Amazonian [1]
PhilanthropyNAACP
Chapters66
Members1,578 active
NicknameMSU, MUs, Amazonas, Sophisticated Ladies
HeadquartersP.O. Box 7728
North Bergen, New Jersey 07047
United States
Websitewww.msu1981.org

History

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In the early 1980s, more women from culturally diverse backgrounds were pursuing college degrees. Five women came together and decided to create a support system for these women.[4] Mu Sigma Upsilon was founded on November 21, 1981, at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, as a Social Fellowship. The five Founding Mothers of Mu Sigma Upsilon are:

  • Eve Bracero - Puerto Rican
  • Lillian Sierra - Puerto Rican
  • Karinee Candelario - Puerto Rican
  • Ruth Gonzalez - Puerto Rican
  • Sylvia Vigo - Puerto Rican[5]

In the early 1980s, Mu Sigma Upsilon became the first sorority to be founded with a multicultural, rather than a specific ethnic or cultural, base.[6] Mu Sigma Upsilon became a Greek-lettered organization in the early 1990s.[7] It is the sister organization of Lambda Sigma Upsilon, a Latino-based fraternity.

R.A.C.E is a national event of the sorority. Each chapter runs its version of the event, where campus cultural organizations are invited to perform in costume and provide cultural displays for table-top exhibitions during the event. Members are encouraged to wear national dress about their cultural background or heritage and provide sample delicacies from all parts of the world.[8][9]

Symbols

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The sorority's motto is Mujeres Siempre Unidas or "Women Always United". Its colors are baby blue and white. Its mascot is the Amazon woman. Its nicknames are The Sophisticated Ladies or The MUs (pronounced mews).[10] Its publication is The Amazonian.

Philanthropy

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Every five years, the organization selects a national philanthropy as beneficiary. Through this process, we are able to dedicate ourselves as a national organization to aiding a single charity organization for five years at a time, and continue to assist many more organizations in the future. Previous philanthropies include:

Mu Sigma Upsilon's current philanthropy for 2021-2026 is: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)[11]

Mu Sigma Upsilon Foundation

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The Mu Sigma Upsilon Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization. The mission of the foundation is to provide essential support and financial resources for the educational, leadership, and charitable purposes of the sorority to enrich the lives of members and assist in improving the community in which they serve.[12]

T.I.A.R.A. Interest Group

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T.I.A.R.A. stands for Togetherness, Independence, Academics, Respect and Achievement. The T.I.A.R.A. Group is the official interest group of Mu Sigma Upsilon. Being an active T.I.A.R.A. gives interested ladies the opportunity to get an in-depth look at the sisterhood. They experience first-hand what it would be like to be a sister of MSU through event/meeting planning, programming, fundraising and networking. It also allows for the prospective members to build relationships with one another and Mu Sigma Upsilon sisters.[13]

Chapters

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Undergraduate Chapters

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Mu Sigma Upsilon does not name their chapters by the Greek alphabet, but rather chapters are given culturally significant names.[14] Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in italics.

Chapter Charter date and range Institution Location Status Reference
Amazona November 21, 1981 Rutgers University–New Brunswick New Brunswick, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Siksika November 30, 1983 William Paterson University Wayne, New Jersey Active [15]
Conquistadoras April 12, 1989 New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Matriarca November 29, 1990 Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey Active [15]
Aborigena April 17, 1991 Rutgers University-Newark Newark, New Jersey Active [15]
Mosaic April 25, 1991 Kean University Union Township, New Jersey Active [15]
Bellatrix 1991 Memorial [17]
Indigena December 1, 1994 New Jersey City University and Saint Peter's University Jersey City, New Jersey Active [15]
Destinidas April 12, 1995 Bloomfield College Bloomfield, New Jersey Active [15]
Zaona November 18, 1995 Stockton University Pomona, New Jersey Active [15]
Jhansi November 10, 1996 Pennsylvania State University - Main University Park, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Godasiyo November 10, 1996 Penn State Altoona Altoona, Pennsylvania Inactive [15][16]
Palenque November 14, 1998 Bloomsburg University Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Narra November 19, 1998 New York University New York City, New York Inactive [15][16]
Emeritus November 14, 1999 Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Concordia November 14, 1999 University of Connecticut Storrs, Connecticut Active [15]
Abrianeme March 16, 2001 College of New Jersey Ewing Township, New Jersey Active [15]
Devi March 9, 2002 University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Inactive [15][16]
Anansi March 24, 2002 Cornell University Ithaca, New York Inactive [16]
Evadne March 24, 2002 Le Moyne College Syracuse, New York Inactive [15][16]
Haumea March 15, 2003 University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Active [15]
Xurima March 20, 2003 Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Genesis November 1, 2003 Kutztown University Kutztown, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Yazi March 10, 2004 Florida Memorial College Miami, Florida Inactive [15][16]
Orisha March 28, 2004 State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, New York Inactive [15][16]
Quinquatria March 26, 2005 Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Nysa March 26, 2005 SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, New York Active [15]
Vathara May 1, 2005 Johnson & Wales University, Florida Miami, Florida Inactive [15][16]
Lazuline November 12, 2005 Millersville University Millersville, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Celtic November 20, 2005 Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia Inactive [15][16]
Gaia April 1, 2006 Syracuse University Syracuse, New York Inactive [15][16]
Kyathira April 1, 2006 University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University Buffalo, New York Active [16]
Themiskyra April 6, 2006 SUNY Old Westbury Old Westbury, New York Inactive [15][16]
Cheveyo 2006 Lamar University Beaumont, Texas Inactive [16]
Hasinai April 8, 2006 Stephen F. Austin University Nacogdoches, Texas Active [15]
Zotikon April 13, 2006 Hunter College; St. Francis College New York City, New York Active [15]
Dhyani April 15, 2007 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina Active [15]
Janus April 6, 2008 Barry University Miami, Florida Inactive [15][16]
Novastella April 13, 2008 West Chester University West Chester, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Kailasa April 11, 2009 University of Georgia Athens, Georgia Active [15]
Ionia April 11, 2009 East Stroudsburg University East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Freyja April 19, 2009 Rowan University Glassboro, New Jersey Active [15]
Bodhati December 5, 2009 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia Inactive [15][16]
Roma April 17, 2010 George Washington University Washington, D.C. Inactive [15][16]
Rhea April 18, 2010 Penn State Abington Abington Township, Pennsylvania Inactive [15][16]
Boetia April 16, 2011 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia Active [15]
Arikara November 18, 2011 University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska Active [15]
Kumi April 1, 2012 SUNY Oswego Oswego, New York Active [15]
Yemaya April 22, 2012 Lehigh University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Miakardia November 10, 2012 Bucknell University Lewisburg, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Kimimela November 11, 2012 University of South Florida Tampa, Florida Active [15]
Zarya April 6, 2013 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dartmouth, Massachusetts Active [15]
Sekhmet November 2, 2013 Marshall University Huntington, West Virginia Active [15]
Akasa November 23, 2013 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, Colorado Inactive [15][16]
Atitlán 2014 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, Pennsylvania Inactive [15][16]
Samara November 16, 2014 Rutgers University–Camden Camden, New Jersey Active [15]
Úthaulia April 1, 2017 Lycoming College Williamsport, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Wujimu April 7, 2017 DePauw University Greencastle, Indiana Active [15]
Dianaia March 31, 2018 University of Rochester Rochester, New York Inactive [15][16]
Maulana November 10, 2018 SUNY Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, New York Inactive [15][16]
Artemisia November 17, 2018 Felician University Rutherford, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Ọkụ March 30, 2019 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, New Jersey Inactive [15][16]
Horaeziel April 6, 2019 SUNY Cortland Cortland, New York Inactive [15][16]
Arcus April 13, 2019 SUNY Albany Albany, New York Inactive [15][16]
Eden November 16, 2019 Moravian College Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Huitaca April 23, 2021 Lafayette College Easton, Pennsylvania Active [15]
Saqqara April 1, 2023 Binghamton University Binghamton, New York Active [15]

Graduate Chapter (Aretias)

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Mu Sigma Upsilon's Aretias Graduate Chapter provides alumnae members with a system to become mentors and advisers to each other and to undergraduates. The chapter remains actively involved in academic programs at undergraduate chapters and surrounding communities with or without an undergraduate chapter. The Aretias Chapter also offers interested women the opportunity to join the sorority at the Graduate level.[18] Women interested in joining MSU’s Aretias Chapter would have completed an undergraduate program with a minimum 3.0 grade point average, or be actively pursuing a degree of higher education. [19]

Local Aretias Chapters:

  • Aretias North New Jersey
  • Aretias Pennsylvania
  • Aretias New York
  • Aretias New England
  • Aretias Central Florida

See also

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References

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  1. ^ The Amazonian magazine
  2. ^ "Who We Are". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  3. ^ "Who We Are". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 2019-03-07.
  4. ^ "Our History". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority. 4 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Founding Mothers". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority. 4 September 2014.
  6. ^ "Multiculturalism". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  7. ^ "The Inclusive Sorority". The Courant. Retrieved 2003-03-18.
  8. ^ "New Jersey City University sorority will hold "R.A.C.E."". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
  9. ^ "R.A.C.E.<". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority. 4 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Our History". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-02-27.
  11. ^ "National Philanthropy". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  12. ^ "Mu Sigma Upsilon Foundation". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2017-08-19. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
  13. ^ "Join MSU". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  14. ^ "Undergraduate Chapters". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (December 3, 2022) Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed January 24, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Undergraduate Chapters". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  17. ^ "Bellatrix Chapter". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  18. ^ "Aretias (Graduate Chapter)". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  19. ^ "Aretias (Graduate Chapter)". Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
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