A multicultural organization is on the verge of becoming a sorority on campus.

Made up of about 15 members, the Recognized Student Organization is known as Esperanza.

“We decided to name the organization Esperanza because it means hope in English and we really hope to make it part of Greek Life,” said Crystal Perez, junior English major and public relations chair of Esperanza.

Before finalizing the RSO into the Greek community, members of Esperanza have to go through a series of processes.

For instance, they select members, complete paperwork, maintain a 2.5 GPA, pay an individual fee of $65 and a group fee of $125.

The deadline for all submitted information is June 1 and nationals will decide if Esperanza will become a chapter or colony.

In order to start a chapter, an RSO must be approved and have 15 women involved, while colonies have 10 women.

“We’re just trying to bring more options to the minority population,” Perez said. “We’re trying to bring more diversity to campus because, let’s face it, the numbers are just not there.”

The organization first came about when some of the members were informed of the multicultural sorority Sigma Lambda Gamma.

It was founded on the campus of Sacramento State University in 1986. Sigma Lambda Gamma was formed by a group of minority students because they felt the Greek community did not meet the needs of their ethnic backgrounds. Sigma Lambda Gamma was an organization that women believed in and could feel comfortable being apart of, while bringing diversity to campus, Perez said.

“Inner-city kids may not be thinking outside the box, but this is something that can relate to them,” she said. “When you bring a kid here and they don’t think college is for them but then they find out they grew up in the same neighborhood or went to the same high school as some of the members and it gets them interested.”

Although the group has only experienced minor problems with communication, everyone has been working hard to accomplish their goal.

However, the group had an extended meeting discussing leadership roles and how to progress the organization.

Another struggle is setting up events that will have a large attendance capacity, said Katherine Contreras, a junior elementary education major and historian of Esperanza.

“We progress a lot more when we work together, a lot more gets accomplished,”

Contreras said.

Although the organization was founded by Latinas, everyone is invited to join.

“When joining a sorority you have to find your fit,” Perez said. “It’s like a pair of pants. You find that one and you have to buy it.”

With the RSO quickly progressing, plans for next year include a beauty pageant, talent show and Halloween party.

“The campus isn’t that culturally diverse,” said Marcella Cadena, a freshman elementary education major and treasurer of Esperanza. “I am Latina and it’s something I really wanted to see on campus.”

Even though the Greek community has given Esperanza support, they realize that some students may have a negative image of the organization.

“It’s something different,” Cadena said. “A lot of people don’t like to take different into consideration.”

Cadena said the organization has been extremely beneficial because it has helped her make new friends with a common interest.