As an outsider, I would think that would be part of it. In broader terms, I would guess it has to do with the very different natures of the NIC and the NPC. It seems to me that the NIC exists mainly to advocate for the interests of its members, to engage in PR for the fraternity system in general and to provide educational programming for its members. So far as I know, it doesn't engage much in any regulations as to how member organizations will operate (for example, regarding rush or expansion). Through things like Unanimous Agreements, on the other hand, the NPC seems to be more involved in deciding as a group how its member fraternities/sororities will operate and cooperate. Does that seem on target?


FWIW, here's an earlier thread on this subject: Future NPC sororities. Sometning tells me there's at least one other thread on this as well.

The NPHC orgs consider ourselves to be service organizations first and foremost, with a social aspect.

As far as the rush concept, I can only speculate that it has more to do with historical reasons versus anything technical like quotas, totals and having a house.

Also, I think that the idea of NPHC sororities joining the NPC would be rejected. For the NPHC, it is not just joining a sorority per se, it is seen as becoming part of a legacy in an org that has very strong family traditions, and in some cases, expectations. I think the nature and structure of the NPHC sororities is so ingrained and is such a major part in AfAm society, that I don't see it changing or even wanting to change.

This is just my opinion, and any other NPHCer can correct me, or weigh in if they want to.

This can also be very NPC.

Wouldn't this be true of the four NPHC fraternities that are also members of the NIC, though? Or is there a difference between NPHC fraternities and NPHC sororities in this respect?

Based on the way you described the NIC, they don't seem to have as rigid a structure as the NPC, so for the NPHC fraternities that are part of the NIC it may not be a "big deal" to be a member. Meaning, being a member of the NIC will not hinder or change any aspect of being a member of the NPHC.

On the other hand, the NPC has very specific rules about their member organizations to the point where I would think it may have a strong hindrance and change to how the NPHC sororities would function. And, like I said, just the fact that I don't think many older (read monied ;)) NPHC members will want to embrace the NPC.

Yeah, I know. I just did not know how else to describe it. :o

I don't think they would either. The Unanimous Agreements of the NPC would probably change quite a few things for NPHC organizations should they choose to join. City wide chapters would not be allowed under NPC guidelines, I'm pretty sure. The format of recruitment is soooo different, and the UAs were set up to prevent the larger organizations from outpacing the smaller organizations with less resources. Unfortunately, this does make for a lot of restrictions. It works for us, but I don't see that all the rules would be attractive to organizations who have been very successful under their own power for 100 years or so.

Yes!!

Gotcha. Thanks.

I agree with MysticCat, sigmadiva, and AOIIAngel.

I really don't see NPHC orgs joining NPC; the more likely scenario is a group not currently with a council. Off the top of my head, Theta Nu Xi and Alpha Omega Epsilon both meet the criteria. Others meet the size requirements, but have citywide chapters.

From the MOI:

Requirements for Membership
A women’s fraternity must have been established in its national character for
a minimum of 13 years; all of its collegiate chapters must be established in
senior colleges and universities authorized to confer bachelor degrees and
recognized by the appropriate regional association of colleges and
universities; and it must have at least 14 chapters, of which the latest
established is at least two years old.

First, not all NPHC chapters are city-wide. A few are, but most are on "traditional" college campuses. For SGR in particular, there was a push a few years ago to permanently close our city-wide chapters.

Second, based on the criteria above, NPHC sororities could meet the NPC requirements.

The issue is that would the NPHC sororities want to join the NPC, and that answer more than likely would be no. We would have to make some changes to how we do things and I don't see us doing that. At all. Ever. No how. No way.

I don't see why another sorority would want to join NPC. What does NPC have to offer them?

Frankly, I doubt that the NPC would want to accept the NPHC groups either.

This could get ugly quickly.