of starting the fraternity. Cereceres, seeing how a male organization with a similar fraternal structure could be beneficial, began searching for others that would share in his vision. After getting together six other men they began to have weekly meetings. These meetings consisted of informal discussions about what they were going to do as a group. At the time not everyone was on board with starting a Fraternal organization because of the negative stigma that surrounded Fraternities. However, after many lengthy meetings the group decided that they could change that stigma through positive actions. They decided to focus on graduation and service as the main goals of their new organization. On November 25, 1987, the group was officially recognized as a Fraternity and granted Charter status from Texas Tech University. In 1988 Omega Delta Phi initiated its first class with 12 new members that would later be known as the Charter Class. Early history Much of Omega Delta Phi's early history dealt with finding an identity. It was at this time that many of the first traditions of the fraternity were born. The Crest, as well as the sacraments, and motifs were adopted during this time. It was also at this time that the practice of consumption of any alcohol while wearing Omega Delta Phi paraphernalia was forbidden. An identity issue that arose was whether or not the organization would identify itself as a social or service organization. In the end the organization identified itself as a "service/social" organization. During this early history, word has spread about Omega Delta Phi to another man named Jaime Mendez. Mendez seeing the potential in the organization started his own chapter of Omega Delta Phi at the University of Texas at El Paso. The chapter was founded without the consent of the original Texas Tech Chapter. After some minor controversy, the chapters reconciled their differences and set up an expansion strategy that spread across the country. Chapters and colonies Philanthropy Court-appointed special advocates In 2009, Omega Delta Phi became the second Greek Letter Organization to officially partner with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA is a national organization that supports court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children. While you must be 21 years of age to become a court-appointed advocate for a child in need, each undergraduate entity partners with their local CASA office to assist the philanthropic organization. The members of Omega Delta