# 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:
* Antonio Arreola
* Marin Arreola
* Nicolas Arreola
* Ernesto Garcia
* Moises Herrera
* Jesse Martinez
* Hector Mendoza
* Joel Romero
* Alberto Salazar
* Antonio Valenzuela
* Ramiro Ramos
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.
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status |
| Founding | February 26, 1988 | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, California | Active |
| Alpha | February 16, 1989 | San Jose State University | San Jose, California | Active |
| Beta | February 10, 1990 | San Diego State University | San Diego, California | Active |
| Gamma | June 20, 1992 | Sonoma State University | Rohnert Park, California | Active |
| Delta | November 22, 1992 | California State University, Stanislaus | Turlock, California | Active |
| Epsilon | November 22, 1992 | California State University, Fresno | Fresno, California | Active |
| Zeta | November 22, 1992 – 201x ? | University of California, Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, California | Inactive |
| Eta | September 18, 1993 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, California | Active |
| Theta | September 5, 1995 | California State University, Chico | Chico, California | Active |
| Iota | July 26, 1996 | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento, California | Active |
| Kappa | November 30, 1997 | University of California, Davis | Davis, California | Active |
| Lambda | December 21, 1997 | University of California, San Diego | La Jolla, California | Active |
| Mu | April 10, 1999 | Colorado State University | Fort Collins, Colorado | Active |
| Nu | November 12, 2000 | University of California, Riverside | Riverside, California | Active |
| Xi | February 28, 2004 | California State University, Monterey Bay | Seaside, California | Active |
| Omicron | April 17, 2004 | University of Nevada, Reno | Reno, Nevada | Active |
| Pi | April 2, 2005 | California State University, Northridge | Northridge, California | Active |
| Rho | April 30, 2005 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California | Active |
| Sigma | April 21, 2007 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, Colorado | Active |
| Tau | May 18, 2008 – 20xx ? | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Pomona, California | Inactive |
| Upsilon | May 23, 2009 – 20xx ? | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Paradise, Nevada | Active |
| Phi | November 12, 2011 – 2015 | National Hispanic University | San Jose, California | Inactive |
| Chi | May 26, 2012 | California State University, San Marcos | San Marcos, California | Active |
| Psi | August 17, 2012 | University of California, Irvine | Irvine, California | Active |
| Omega | | | | Memorial |
| Alpha Alpha | December 6, 2014 – 20xx ? | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | Inactive |
| Alpha Beta | December 14, 2014 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, California | Active |
| Alpha Gamma | May 6, 2017 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, Colorado | Active |
| Alpha Delta | October 20, 2018 – 202x ? | University of San Diego | San Diego, California | Inactive |
* ↑ The university closed the chapter for “risk management violations in conjunction with sexual harassment/sexual assault.”
* ↑ The chapter went inactive when the university closed in August 2015.

### 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.
| Chapter | Institution | Status |
| Fresno State Alumni Association | California State University, Fresno | Active |
| UCSD ΝΑΚ Alumni Association | University of California, San Diego | Active |
| NAK Riverside Alumni Association | University of California, Riverside | Active |
| Iota Chapter | California State University, Sacramento | Active |
| Kappa Chapter | University of California, Davis | Active |
| Beta Chapter – ALAS | San Diego State University | Active |
| Tau Chapter Alumni Association | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Active |
| San Jose State Alpha Alumni Association | San Jose State University | Active |
| Delta Chapter Alumni Association | California State University, Stanislaus | Active |
| Gamma Chapter | Sonoma State University | Active |

## 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.