Nu Alpha Kappa

Nu Alpha Kappa (ΝΑΚ) is an American collegiate Latino-based fraternity. Nu Alpha Kappa was founded on the campus of California Polytechnic State University in 1988. Nu Alpha Kappa was a charter member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). It is now a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.

History

The fraternity began with fifteen friends at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California who wanted to create a club for Hispanic students at the predominantly Anglo campus. Initially, the group called itself "Naco", after Spanish slang for a person who gets along well with everyone.

This became Nu Alpha Kappa on February 26, 1988. The fraternity was established based on a commitment to "Carnalismo" or brotherhood, the search for knowledge, and the retention and pride of culture. Eleven of the original organizing friends became the fraternity's founders, including:

A second chapter was established at San Jose State University in 1989, followed by a chapter at San Diego State University in 1990. Its first chapter outside of California was chartered at Colorado State University in 1999. However, the majority of its 28 chapters are in California.

The fraternity's national headquarters is in Roseville, California.

Symbols

The name ΝΑΚ was selected to represent the "nac" sound in Xinaco. Xinaco (CHI-Na-Kos), a Nahuatl word used by the Olmecs, describes "an educated, amiable individual whose personality and charisma transcends and enlightens all cultures and social".

The fraternity's colors are red, white, and bronze. Its mascot is XiNAKo. Its motto is "Men of Mind, Men of Culture, Men of Pride."

Philanthropy

Nu Alpha Kappa supports the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and its Hispanic/Latino Stem Cell and Marrow Initiative in California, Colorado, and Nevada. Its other charity is the NAKLand Children's Carnival.

Chapters

Collegiate chapters

Nu Alpha Kappa has established collegiate chapters in California, Nevada, and Colorado. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.

Alumni chapters

The ΝΑΚ National Alumni Association was officially established in 2014. Following is a list of the Nu Alpha Kappa alumni chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are in italics.

Member and chapter misconduct

Nu Alpha Kappa has faced multiple allegations of hazing, misconduct, and policy violations across several of its chapters. In 2015, the University of California, Santa Barbara chapter was shut down following reports of hazing and sexual assault allegations against members of the fraternity. The chapter was among three Greek organizations at UCSB that lost university recognition due to violations of student conduct policies, including allegations of providing alcohol to minors and fostering an unsafe environment within fraternity-sponsored events.

In 2020, the San Diego State University chapter was placed on interim suspension as part of a broader crackdown on Greek organizations following allegations of alcohol-related violations and hazing. The university's investigation later found that members of Nu Alpha Kappa at SDSU were guilty of theft, leading to the chapter's suspension in early 2021.

In 2023, the San José State University chapter was issued a cease and desist order, temporarily halting its operations due to alleged violations of university policies. While details of the allegations were not publicly disclosed, the order was part of a broader review of fraternity and sorority conduct at the university.