Why we are different?
Phi Beta Kappa, the first American college fraternity, was organized on the campus of the College of William and Mary in 1776. Black college fraternities and sororities did not emerge until the early 1900s. With founding dates from 1906-1963, the member Chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) has a deep history and tradition which makes us different than most fraternities and sororities you may encounter.
Aren’t all Greeks the same?
Don’t confuse us with other councils and Greek-letter groups. The Panhellenic Council is a council of predominately white sororities. Interfraternity Council (IFC), a council of predominately white fraternities. National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) is an organization of Fraternities and Sororities of African-American Descent. All NPHC organizations have integrated since the 1940’s, and we have members from various ethic backgrounds.
Life Commitments and Service to others
NPHC organizations encourage life-long commitments and we typically have members who are active for 40, 50, even 60 years or more. Each organization incorporates scholarship and service into their preambles. This focus gives us an unique blend of service and social elements from our chapters to our communities.
Aren’t you a College Greek Organization?
Yes, all members of the NPHC Chapters have attended college. However, each organization has graduate and undergraduate chapters. Once an undergraduate member leaves college they are expected to affiliate with a graduate chapter. This Upstate Pan-Hellenic Council has only Graduate Chapters as members of its council. Many chapters and members act as advisors to local undergraduate chapters in the area.
Why do some NPHC chapters identify themselves with Greek names?
Also, many (not all) chapters signify the chapters with Greek names, thus chapters may be known by Chapter name followed by the Organization name. (i.e. Gamma Gamma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.). Others simply use the graphical location in their names (i.e. Greenville Alumni Chapter ofKappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.). In any case, Chapters are local affiliates of the larger national organization.