Oct 21, 2022
Not Just Another Fraternity: The Nu Alpha Kappa Omicron Chapter at UNR
Jalen Robinson looks into a Latin-based fraternity making sure members graduate, while carrying on proud cultural traditions.
People might groan, ugh, another fraternity? Not so fast. The Nu Alpha Kappa Omicron fraternity located on the University of Nevada, Reno campus is unique in many ways. Being a Latin-based but not exclusive fraternity on campus Nu Alpha Kappa looks to kickstart new connections.
Niko Diaz, a member since 2020, who came to UNR from San Jose, outlines the fraternity’s three pillars, brotherhood, culture, and academics.
“We just build off of each other,” said Diaz. “Being able to get everyone to graduate is essentially the big thing.”
This fraternity is present across California campuses and throughout Colorado and Nevada as well, with many members first-generation college students trying to fulfill their dream of graduating.
“A lot of us are first-generation brothers,” said Diaz, “but we have four or five sets of brothers who have passed on their rituals to their ‘little brother’ which just makes a different connection between each other that you are not alone here.”
Like every fraternity NAK hosts events and essentially has a “rush” format where everyone comes up to your booth and asks about what NAK is. From there, people are brought to events to help connect the members and new members which then leads to a “crossing”.
“We have a crossing event where you become essentially what we call a little bit and you become a big bro,” said Diaz.
Once you have crossed into the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity the brotherhood begins.
“One of the things we are known for is our Machete dance,” said Alan Cortez brotherhood chair of Nu Alpha Kappa. Rooted in sugar cane harvesting, it involves the synchronous tapping of machetes (see video above of another chapter performing the dance).
Even though membership numbers can be lower than other fraternities, to some that can also be an advantage.
“Some of our brothers have met some of our family fathers because we are so low in numbers,” said Anthony Gonzalez, President of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity at the University of Nevada, Reno, “but that’s what makes us special because it is all about social networking.”
