How is the "big 4" defined? Do the chapters within the big 4 ever change, or is it constant? What's the history behind that?

I knew Beta and Phi Gam were up there, but weren't sure of any of the others.

Unfortunately, I don't know any history or facts relating to the big 4 fraternities at UNC. However, I do know several alumni from Carolina. They all say Beta, Deke, Phi Delt and Phi Gam make up the big 4. Sorry I can't eloborate.

The Big Four is DKE, PhiGam, PhiDelt and Beta.. however it really isn't the "Big Four" anymore; most consider Beta to have slipped a little bit. There is no movement into the Big Four. I won't mention which chapter I am an alumnus of so I won't appear to have a bias.

Having said that, from my understanding the Greek scene at UNC is thriving now more than at any point in the past twenty years. There are other fraternities outside of the Big Four, that I would have rushed today but did not consider ten years ago. I can point to a big turning point in UNC Greek life. After the PhiGam disaster of '96 the University forced all houses to have sprinkler systems installed by 2001. Installing the systems in 100 year old houses wasn't easy and so virtually every house was renovated. Many houses were shut down (not the fraternity but the house) for one to two years; many at the same time. From 2000 til about 2004 many houses were struggling, but not so today. Walking through the houses this year (I'm a few years removed but toured several houses) and meeting a lot of brothers I feel safe to say there are currently about 10 (~1/2 of the total) solid houses to consider. Again when I pledged/rushed I only considered two.

But, back on topic... I can think of several UNC fraternities that at one point initiated women. St. Anthony's hall of course is still pretty similar to the picture of the Brown fraternity; they are an outlier on the Greek scene. Also Lambda Chi at one point, I believe had female brothers; I don't know how good that chapter is now but their house is a beautiful carolina blue. Pi Lamb definitely had women (I saw a composite or two in their bathroom containing ladies); from what I've seen and heard they are a good chapter. I believe several of the "golf course" fraternities went this way too: ZBT, Delta Sig and PKP. I think these have all folded/maybe went local.

For those asking about Chi Psi at UNC.. no it's not "Big Four", but it's a very respectable chapter. Beautiful house on the largest piece of property. From what I understand, Chi Psi is the largest private land owner in Chapel Hill (i.e. not the University). But, they do dress like the Wizard of Oz in the composites. It's just their tradition.

You claim to be so familiar with the operations of Greek organizations, yet you've never heard of the movement within some chapters and schools to go co-ed?? That's a pretty significant part of GLO history and still has a LOT to do with why Greek orgs aren't recognized on some campuses.

As far as the "Zete" chapter at Brown goes, I don't see why you'd be embarrassed to associate with them. Given that you've already stated that you judge Greek orgs based on GPA and leadership, I am willing to bet that 100% of their members had better records of GPA and leadership and overall achievement than did the members of your NIU Sigma Nu chapter.

I'm sorry, I'm not normally one to be like this, but you have really rubbed me the wrong way with your judgmental and contradictory comments on this boards. I'm AGHAST.

Funny, that's how I felt about NIU.
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This is a very appropriate composite for the campus atmosphere. The school is right across the street from RI School of Design and the east side of Providence is well, eclectic to say the least. For them to take a picture in a shirt and tie would probably be the equivalent of a joke composite to most people. Most students wear alternative/crunchy/oatmeal type clothing on a regular basis. Nose rings, ear plugs and dreads are not uncommon either-no matter what your race.

I have a bit of an inside track on Chi Psi as my dad is a Carolina Chi Psi. My mother is a Carolina Alpha Delta Pi. Carolina Chi Psi is hands down the stronget Chi Psi chapter nationally.

Chi Psi is arguably, all around, one of the strongest fraternities at UNC. They may not be the most popular as viewed by other campus greeks, but they have tremendous alumni support in terms of both financial and support given. Multiple recent Rhodes Scholars, Phi Beta Kappas and student government presidents. Far, Far more than any other UNC chapter. Giant (approximately 6 acre) property with amazing huge house. Located on W Cameron a little bit away from the other houses on campus.

Beta is the second largest property on the UNC campus. Beautiful house as well. About 4.5 acres of land and located on S Columbia next to big fraternity court. Five houses are located in big fraternity court. The Beta's property is about 3/4 the size of all the land under big fraternity court. Beta has a party barn in the far back corner of their property.

Chi Psi and Beta are, by a fairly significant margin, the largest fraternity properties at Carolina. Some would argue Beta's property could be as valuable than Chi Psi's because it is located directly across the street from campus and is closer to Franklin street.

The remaining fraternity properties at UNC are also very, very nice. However, Chi Psi and Beta stand out way ahead of everyone else because of the sheer size of the land their houses sit on.

This opinion based on my recent visit to Chapel Hill. I walked and looked at every fraternity and sorority house on campus.

i know what alternative and i think i'm clear on the meaning of crunchy, but what is oatmeal clothing?

Uhhh, did you go to Brown? Sounds like you're making a lot of assumptions about a place you didn't attend.

Well, I did, and as a Greek from there, this group is definitely the extreme exception of kids at Brown and not the rule. This group, and one other co-ed, did their composites like this. The other ten fraternities and sororities--mine included--not so much. This group definitely stood out as a group of people who liked to have fun and not take themselves so damned seriously.

I think we all thought these were pretty funny.

Maybe "granola" would be the appropriate cereal equivalent?

well maybe, but i'm allergic to both of those things, so I won't be wearing any cereal clothes...

Attend, no...spend a lot of time there, granted not in current years, yes. I didn't mean for it to sound like the entire Greek community. I just meant for Brown, it didn't seem weird. You have to admit that it's an artsy area. That's what makes Brown unique.

Yup. They all mean the same thing, depending on where you live and the year it is.