Alpha Epsilon Zeta is a professional, South Asian college fraternity

Fraternities and sororities

Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...

. It was founded on February 19, 2003 at the University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...

. It is the only professional fraternity on the west coast that specifically promotes South Asian culture. Although the organization does have an ethnic focus, membership is open to all ethnicities. The founding principles which support Alpha Epsilon Zeta are: professionalism, brotherhood, unity, tradition, culture, and high moral values.

History

AEZ was founded in 2003 at the University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...

 by Sundeep Chanana, Mohit Jain, Himanshu Shah, and Manpreet Gill. All four are alumni of the Haas School of Business

Haas School of Business

The Walter A. Haas School of Business, also known as the Haas School of Business or simply Haas, is one of 14 schools and colleges at the University of California, Berkeley....

 at Cal. The group originally intended to establish a social fraternity at the Berkeley campus, but after exploring some options, it later decided to begin a professional one. It sought to promote and foster what came to be known as the "ideal man philosophy," that is, excelling both professionally and academically. As a result, AEZ became the first South Asian fraternity at UC Berkeley. It initiated its first pledge class in the fall of 2003.

Mission statement

Multi-disciplinary focus

Unlike most other professional fraternities, Alpha Epsilon Zeta does not focus on member development in any one particular field of study. Males of all majors join the organization. AEZ states that its intention is to have each "brother" of the organization share his knowledge of his major with the other members, in order to give each person a well-rounded foundation and to promote brotherhood. However, AEZ requires all members to participate in professional skill development activities, which it deems necessary for any career path. These include presentation skills, interviewing skills, networking skills, and resume constructing.

Logo and coat of arms

Alpha Epsilon Zeta's logo is similar to that of other fraternities in that is an acronym; however, it lacks traditional Greek lettering. Instead, "AEZ" is represented in a pseudo-Sanskrit writing that reinforces the organization's ties to South Asian culture.

The coat of arms

Coat of arms

A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...

 of Alpha Epsilon Zeta contains a number of symbolic objects that are representative of the organization's core values. The specific meaning of these objects is only revealed to pledges

Fraternities and sororities

Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...

during pledgeship and at initiation.