The “Other” Greek Life

Introduction• Historically white Greek-lettered organizations are structured and

focused on specific ideals that do not typically include cultural diversity. Large scale philanthropy, alcohol, and social networking are the primary focus of these organizations. They have historically been known for being racist, homophobic, sexist, classist, and ableist.

• In 1906, a new entity of Greek life emerged, one focused on social action, progress, and the empowerment of a people. This new wave is known as the cultural Greek-lettered movement, beginning with the historically black Greek-lettered organizations and moving to the present-day multicultural Greek-lettered organizations. Though they are each different, they all share a founding based on oppressions, lack of power, and lack of resources for particular communities.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is currently composed of nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.

On May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University, in Washington DC, the National Pan-Hellenic Council was formed as a permanent organization with the following charter members: Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternities, and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities. In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities joined the Council. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority joined in 1937 and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity completed the list of member organizations in 1997.

The stated purpose and mission of the organization in 1930 was “Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations.” Early in 1937, the organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois and became known as “The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated.”

- http://www.nphchq.org/about.htm

National Pan-Hellenic Council

Crests and Letters

Alpha Phi Alpha

Est. 1906

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Est. 1908

Omega Psi Phi

Est. 1911

Delta Sigma Theta

Est. 1913

Phi Beta Sigma

Est. 1916

Zeta Phi Beta

Est. 1920

Sigma Gamma Rho

Est. 1922

Iota Phi Theta

Est. 1963

Kappa Alpha Psi

Est. 1911

The founding of historically black fraternities and sororities stems back to the turn of the 20th Century, when African-Americans had little to no access to higher education. Whereas historically white fraternities were created to establish a networking system and a system of political solidarity for white Americans, historically black Greek-lettered organizations were created for social action, support, and the empowerment of African-Americans in a white dominated country.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the most notable entity for historically black Greek-lettered organizations, but there are many other fraternities and sororities with similar missions that are not a part of this national council.

George Ritzer’s McDonaldization Theory is very evident in the Rush process of historically white Greek-lettered organizations, where the process is meant to attain members as efficiently and conveniently as possible, calculating how much money is needed from dues to keep the houses afloat. The 7-day process is a mass production of new members. The NPHC works completely different. The attainment of members is called an Intake process, where interested members must contact that individual organization and fulfill numerous requirements to attain their letters. Members of the organization closely analyze everything about each interested member to ensure that their intentions are not ill and that they will be an asset to the organization. Membership in a historically black Greek-lettered organization claim their organization forever, whereas historically white Greek-lettered organizations usually only claim their organization during their college years.

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In Context

Famous NPHC Members

Jane Addams (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

Maya Angelou (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

Bill Cosby (Omega Psi Phi)

Aretha Franklin (Delta Sigma Theta)

William Johnson (Kappa Alpha Psi)

Michael Jordan (Omega Psi Phi)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Alpha Phi Alpha)

Thurgood Marshall (Alpha Phi Alpha)

Toni Morrison (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

Rosa Parks (Alpha Kappa Alpha)

Emmit Smith (Phi Beta Sigma)

NALFO• The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) is an

umbrella council for 21 Latino Greek-lettered organizations established in 1998. The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education.

• Established in 1998, NALFO, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, set out to become the uniting force for Latin-based fraternities and sororities. Latino organizations had developed in different parts of the United States in their early years, and this created difficulties for the organizations to find information on their peer groups in an effort to come together. As a result, two different umbrella organizations evolved, the Concilio Nacional de Hermandades Latinas, which primarily consisted of fraternities and sororities on the east coast, and NALFO which primarily consisted of fraternities and sororities that originated on the west coast. In the winter of 2001 the two groups merged under the NALFO name and made history in developing one umbrella organization for all Latin-based fraternities and sororities.

• Currently there are 21 Latino/a fraternities and sororities that fall under the NALFO.

– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Latino_Fraternal_Organizations

NALFO Members

Alpha Pi Sigma Alpha Psi Lambda

Chi Upsilon Sigma Gamma Alpha Omega

Gamma Phi Omega Gamma Zeta Alpha

Kappa Delta Chi Lambda Alpha Upsilon

Lambda Pi Chi Lambda Pi Upsilon

Lambda Sigma Upsilon Lambda Theta Alpha

Lambda Theta Nu Lambda Theta Phi

Lambda Upsilon Lambda Omega Phi Beta

Phi Iota Alpha Sigma Iota Alpha

Sigma Lambda Beta Sigma Lambda Gamma

Sigma Lambda Upsilon

NMGCThe National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) is the umbrella council for Multicultural Greek

Letter Organizations. NMGC is comprised of 13 member organizations who meet annually to discuss the development and implementation of the council's mission. Please explore the site to learn more about our coalition and member organizations.

The 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of a multicultural fraternity/sorority movement. It seemed like new fraternities and sororities were popping up everywhere. But, not the typical fraternity and sorority. The end of the twentieth century gave birth to a colorful movement - that of multiculturalism. Newly formed fraternities and sororities were looking to write a new page in the Greek-letter society history books. The message that they announced was the inclusiveness of all cultures, races, religions, and creeds. Realizing the importance of uniting the new faces of Greek Life 13 GLOs came together to create a national multicultural council. The NMGC was conceptualized in 1998 with intentions to unite Greek-letter Fraternities and Sororities under one national entity. The NMGC serves in an advisory capacity to its member organizations. Each member organization is autonomous as a Greek-letter society.

• The goals of the NMGC are as follows:– To provide a forum that allows for the free exchange of ideas, programs, and services

between its constituent fraternities and sororities;– To promote the awareness of multicultural diversity within collegiate institutions, their

surrounding communities, and the greater community-at-large; and – To support and promote the works of its member organizations.

– http://www.nationalmgc.org/

Other Types of Fraternities and Sororities

Some organizations exist without a National Council that pertains to a particular culture or identity:

Asian-American Greek-lettered organizations (over 25):

Pi Delta Psi alpha Kappa Delta Phi

Kappa Phi Lambda Lambda Phi Epsilon

South Asian-American Greek-lettered organizations (over 10):

Delta Phi Omega Beta Chi Theta

Sigma Sigma Rho Alpha Iota Omicron

Multicultural Greek-lettered organizations (over 15):

Theta Nu Xi Psi Sigma Phi

Delta Xi Nu Zeta Sigma Chi

Multiculturalism In ContextThese fraternities and sororities do not have the same historical force that the National Pan-

Hellenic Council has. The earliest organization was Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., which was founded on December 1975. Because of this, members who join are still first-generation members in their organization (where as the NPHC has grandparents who are affiliated). These organizations allow for members who traditionally do fit the mold of other Greek-lettered organizations to find a place in these more progressive organizations.

The Multicultural movement within Greek life is a recent shift in paradigm, as they began in the late 1980s. Many of the previously identified Latino or Asian organizations are making identity shifts and relating to the more progressive multicultural identity, inclusive of everyone. This not only reflects a more globalized and inclusive organization, but it makes sense in the 21st Century where many minority groups share similar experiences of oppression. People are also realizing that identities are intersected, where religious, sexual, ethnic, and class identities all form diverse groups even within a given group of similar cultural backgrounds.

Bourdieu spoke about different forms of capital. The modern multicultural movement in Greek life offers a distinct form of capital that is otherwise not found in more homogenous groups. Cultural capital is attained most, since these groups offer an understanding about numerous cultural norms, behaviors, and beliefs. Social capital is also gained because you attain connections in various social groups, since it is a diverse group of individuals. Overall, these Greek-lettered organizations offer insight to the ever-changing 21st Century.

Spotlight: Omega Delta PhiThe purpose of this Brotherhood, a Service/Social fraternity dedicated to the needs and concerns of the

community, is and shall be to promote and maintain the traditional values of Unity, Honesty, Integrity, and Leadership. This Brotherhood was founded in order to provide, ANY man, a diverse fraternal experience which coincides with a higher education.

Our motto of "Cresit Eundo - It grows as it goes" is reflective of the ever evolving world. Omega Delta Phi does not rely on the past to identify with the present and future. We realize that our future is controlled by the actions we do today. Elevating our standards and constant improvement are goals that every brother of Omega Delta Phi is instilled from their inception.

"One culture, any race." This paradigm accurately describes Omega Delta Phi's philosophy of inclusion. While proud to be a fraternity founded primarily by Latinos at Texas Tech University, Omega Delta Phi has always found itself in the position of appealing the people of many races and backgrounds. The question that begs to be asked is, "Why is this true?" It is that you will find that our ideals are universal. While other organizations focus on what they have been Omega Delta Phi focuses on what it is becoming. Race is a limiting concept that forces people of a nationality and/or color into preconceived roles and expectations. However, any man will tell you that people of the same nationality can be different as night and day in their beliefs and ideals. A culture, however, is defined by a set of shared ideals, traditions, and values.

The men of Omega Delta Phi are founded on the concept that in order to truly grow as an individual, one must experience views which can challenge preconceived perceptions to foster growth and enlightenment. "One Culture, any race." This is a completely new way of looking at ourselves and the world we live in. "One culture, any race." A challenge to the closed minded to look beyond what they believe to be true and realize the truth is largely dependent on one's perspective. "One culture, any race." A philosophy that suggests the coexistence of various races can be a win-win situation if we are willing to learn from one another. "One culture, any race" is an ideal for a new millennium and a new fraternity.

- www.omegadeltaphi.com

Omega Delta Phi Facts

• Founding Date: November 25, 1987• 36 Chapters and 11 colonies• Sacraments: Unity, Honesty, Integrity, and

Leadership• National Motto: Crescit Eundo - “It Grows as it Goes”• Ideal: “One Culture, Any Race”• Colors: Scarlet and Silver

– Black as a supporting color

• Mascot: The Silver Knight• Goals:

– To graduate our brothers

– To serve the community and promote higher education

– To excel academically, athletically and socially

How ODPhi is Different

1)  Service First: The organization focuses on giving back to the community

through hands-on community service and involvement.

2)  Multiculturalism: Members are dedicated to learning and educating the

community about diverse cultures and identities to broaden people’s understanding of others.

3)  Progress: ODPhi focuses on growth, development, improvement, altruism,

and involvement.

• 4) Reaching Out: The organization seeks to provide “ANY man” a fraternal

experience.

• 5) Branching Out: Members purposely become involved in communities

that are not their own in efforts to both learn about other groups and teach about their own.

Greek Lettered Organization Videos

Pi Delta Psi Recruitment Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-rXliWVI7c

Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated at UF:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknffahLVo0

Sigma Gamma Rho Founders Dedication:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bquHu4JRYI

Omega Delta Phi Recruitment Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiAWdZKf8sk

These Greek-lettered organizations have a unique purpose. They are focused around culture. They were founded to create a space for historically oppressed people and ideas to have a voice and be successful in higher education. They provide academic support, a venue for hands on community service (rather than check-writing philanthropy), and an activist opportunity to create positive social change in their campuses and communities.

They also do something unique. They educate about culture as well. Many members join not knowing much about their own culture or other groups’ cultures. Their norms, values, and beliefs change after becoming a member. They acquire more capital, go against traditional power structures like the historically white Greek-lettered organizations, and instill in its members an ideology of progress and social action. Though there are certainly negative aspects to these organizations that most of tem are battling, they are overall positive organizations that are pioneers in educating their campus about the social construction of culture and its effect in the 21st Century.

Conclusion