The NPHC 21st Century and Beyond.
 

Actually this is a spin-off of another topic I was having with alumni involving HBCU's and our future in the 21st century and beyond, so I would like to talk on the NPHC Greek life aspect of it. (Not trying to not include NIC and NPC, but I don't know much about your orgs inner workings and don't even want to attempt that, but if it does fit you all as well please feel free to join in)

Do you believe in this day and age, particularly with the rise of productive citizens in the community without Bachelors Degrees that the doors should be opened to allow alumni membership to those that have either excelled in their field or those who may only two year degrees?


I remember 10 years ago when I was fresh out of college this was actually brought up as topic of conversation concerning allowing community college students the ability to intake in the Collegiate city-wide chapter. Of course I was dead set against it. Now that I actually have some life experience (LOL) my mind has sort of changed on that. Just want to hear your opinions, pros, cons, personal stories, ideas in general.

Would it feel like we were watering down our respective orgs, by lowering our expectations? Are we limiting ourselves by not tapping into the potential of those that either aren't or feel their career path does not include a four year degree?

Just a query.

No. In this day and age, people have access to college more than ever before. It's enough that some honorary members (for the orgs that still allow honoraries) don't have college degrees.

I also pray that we never allow collegiates from online schools like University of Phoenix even if they had some classes in a classroom; and never allow alumnae/alumni/graduate members with an online bachelors degree from online schools like University of Phoenix. That's not to be confused with colleges and universities that have online courses, hybrid course, and online degree components.

We aren't limiting ourselves by not considering those without 4 year degrees and we aren't starving for members.

Let's be honest; we weren't ever meant to be all-inclusive. And none of us are hurting for members. So I don't think it would be a matter of watering down, or limiting ourselves. We are what our Founders envisioned us to be (minus the crazy stuff.)

Having a Bachelor's degree is no big deal these days so I don't see a need for us to require anything less. As for SGRho, I really don't see this ever changing, especially since we started out as a teacher's sorority, encouraging those with 2 year Normal school educations to pursue their bachelor's and master's degrees in education from day 1 and promote higher education. As for extending membership to those productive members in the community who are top in their field/efforts (with or without a degree), that's what we use honorary membership for (and keep in mind that honorary members can be very active; some of ours are even part of alumnae chapters). As for those with no degree (however successful in other ways) or just a 2 year degree, that's what our affiliate organization, the Philos are for.

/swerve

I had no idea SGRho began as a teacher's sorority. No idea how I missed that over the years, but I just wanted to say I thought it was cool!

/swerve

:) SGRho rocks. I guess the Philos who wish to be SGRhos must go through the proper channels to do so.

Yes, from 1922-1925, teachers and aspiring teachers only were eligible to pursue membership in Sigma Gamma Rho.

Philos who want to be SGRhos must first obtain their bachelor degrees and this does happen. Some Philos are inspired by SGRhos to go back to school since they work closely with members or always planned to further their education. Once a Philo obtains her bachelor's degree, she is no longer eligible for Philo membership and can pursue membership in Sigma Gamma Rho although it is not guaranteed that she will become a member (they usually do though).

On the other hand, many Philos are happy being Philos and have no desire to become SGRhos or further their education. The younger ones usually want to go back to school at some point. Potential Philos cannot be enrolled in a 4 year degree program or possess a Bachelor's degree (that would make her eligible to pursue membership in SGRho) at the time of her induction. I am the Philo Advisor for my chapter and my mommy just became one in March. YAY!

We're cool as long as you don't call me a Rho. Where are you from? (we don't play that in the Northeast and internally we don't play that much at all in the sorority).:) Sigma or SGRho is preferred please. To my seasoned sorors "dems fightin' words" (just got back from boule).

Wow, that's a pretty strong statement. I can see not chartering chapters at non-traditional universities, although there are some NPHC orgs that have done so, but not accepting bachelor's degrees from U of Phoenix. That's strict. Would you like to see this as official, on the website posted for everyone to see, or more unofficial - like an applicant can try, but when his/her transcript is reviewed, rejection is imminent?

I could be wrong, but I believe I saw that some NPHC orgs have chapters at DeVry. What's your opinion on this? In my experience, the non-traditional university and community college have a lot in common.

I have to agree. I didn't peep that before. What's up with that DrPhil? I don't even think we can do anything about that anyway nor should we want to. A degree is a degree if it's measured by the same standards. In fact, I have found that some online degree programs (I'm talking about the programs, not the schools) have accreditation that some "on the ground" school programs do not. If the on-line school/program is accredited by one of the regional accreditation bodies in the U.S. (as U. of Phoenix and many other online schools and programs are), the degree is no different from that issued by an "on the ground" school no matter how one personally feels about it. I would think that our ogs definitely have some members (inducted via alumnae chapters) with bachelor's degrees they achieved entirely online. Also, remember that many "on the ground" schools are now offering full degree programs online and this is only going to become more popular in the future. I have taken classes online and I found them to be, in some ways, more involved than "on the ground" classes, since I had to log in and interact with my classmates more than twice a week and write constantly because this is the major form of communication of course. Sounds like some still don't respect the online degree but this is changing. When you don't have to drive back and forth to class, break your neck to arrive on time from work, can work more easily around your schedule, and can spend that extra time with your kids and taking care of a household, the online degree option becomes more appealing although not a cake walk by any means. In fact, if you don't like to write a lot, the online degree will probably not be a great option for you. You will definitely improve your writing and comprehension skills since how well you communicate with your professor and classmates is a great contributor to your success.

Also just to add my two cents, University of Phoenix does have a campus in some cities.

Also since a day has passed it seems my theory that I would hear more from the sororities of the NPHC than fraternities has been unfortunately proven correctly.

^^^ I didn't see this thread until now, and it's not like there are many NPHC fraters on this site who are worth a damn. :)

At any rate.....for my org....

1) I like things the way they are.

2) I am in favor of honorary membership for men who are 65+ who have excelled significantly in their careers without a Bachelor's but with an interest in the work of the fraternity. (Lou Gosset Jr. would be such a person) However, we do not currently have honorary membership.

3) Men with less education than a Bachelor's have always been eligible for Freemasonry and other similar service-based organizations, so I don't think they are missing out.

4) I would like to see Alpha at less schools. Not every brick and mortar school with an Alpha chapter needs to have one. I'm sorry, I have been called elitist for that sentiment, but I'll be dat.

I can one up that and expand it outside of GC. That's the reason I made the comment. I've always noticed when having conversations like this especially when dealing with traditions (especially in the black community) our women step up.


But that's another topic for another day.

GOOD.

I hope you're wrong.

I know all about Univ of Phoenix (and Strayer, et al) and its campuses. My original comments stand 100% and with zero exceptions.

That seems unlikely. DeVry doesn't really have the structure to support a Greek system. I suppose it's possible that undergraduates at DeVry could be involved in some sort of city-wide situation.

Yeah, these schools aren't structured for NPHC (or other GLOs) and neither are community colleges and technical schools. I imagine that poster was just trying to be the great equalizer. :)

Truth. When I was the national expansion director for my organization, we certainly had interested women who attended these schools, but it was simply not possible.

These two are in a class all by themselves so I don't think it's fair to judge other online schools/programs against them.

Here is how these schools typically rank for general bachelor degree (or equivalent) programs:

1. Strayer
2. Univ of Pheonix
3. ECPI and Devry
4. The rest of them

But, that has nothing to do with what I was talking about. LOL.

Sigma Gamma Rho at Devry Kansas City Campus


Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Alpha Psi at Devry Atlanta Campus


I have no way of knowing if these are city-wide chapters that allow Devry students to join. However, Devry lists them on their website.

I doubt that those are actual chapters for the aforementioned reasons.

ETA: I must make an addendum to my very first post since NPHC orgs do accept people from these nontraditional degree programs. :D I shall say that I don't agree with this and my opinion only matters when it comes to Delta. Great.

Yeah the DeVry chapter for PBS does exist.

Rho Alpha - chartered in 1987.

I'm sure that may have been controversial at the time. Don't know can only speculate.

@DrPhil, your opinion also matters to me because it brings up very differing points of views for consideration. Anybody that gets bent out of shape over that needs to blame me for creating the topic.

True, we do rock, for this and other reasons. I really like that we offer an option for non-college-educated women to participate in sisterhood and service. Everyone can be great because everyone can serve, right? It's very clear though, that membership (in SGRho) has its privileges, so if you want it, you know how to pursue it. Higher education isn't a priority for everyone, but know that re: SGRho membership for women who feel that way isn't a priority for us.

Right - i feel like when you make a choice to attend a non-traditional university or community college (including online programs like University of Phoenix, or those schools like Everest and Anthem - what are those called? Trade school, like Devry, TCI or Apex?), you give up (some) rights to traditional aspects of college. What, you want to live in a dorm too? Sign up for a meal plan? By attending these types of schools, to me, says you are willingly sacrificing access to privileges like joining a GLO.

If you decide, however, that you'd like to further your education onto a 4 year traditional college/university, do that for the sake of furthering education, not because XYZ is there.

and to Sen, yeah... love expansion and all, but there are some schools Sigma doesn't need to be. That's not a jab at particular schools, but at the culture the school fosters. Ideally, its survival of the fittest: we're all on our campuses as guests, and in confidence that we can excel as chapters and organizations at these respective schools. I think its realistic to say that Sigma isn't the best fit for every institution. I'd even venture to say that we all have chapters that don't do so hot and need some TLC in being bigger, better and stronger, otherwise should get the boot.

Wow. I didn't realize how mainstream for-profit colleges were.

There's also a Sigma Gamma Rho chapter at Strayer University. According to this list, it's the Nu Pi chapter.

Alpha Kappa Alpha has a joint Strayer and Marymount University chapter, Sigma Alpha chapter.

Thanks for the info. There are probably Sigmas who still disagree with that decision and choose to ignore (or honestly forget) Rho Alpha's existence.

There will always be changes that people disagree with. Our organizations have to keep up with the times and that includes the perceived good and the perceived bad.

I agree with tld221. :)

If the quality of education is comparable, why do you not want to see membership extended to those who got degrees at non traditional institutions?

i know (of) that chapter. I just thought Strayer was some random small, private liberal arts school out in West Bubble. *shrug*

The same can be said of those that are inducted into our alumnae chapters after graduating from undergrad. Why shouldn't someone who achieved their Bachelor's degree online from an accredited institution and program not be able to pursue membership in our organizations on the the alumnae level (and this probably already occurs)? I am only speaking about alumnae membership. And again, I don't think we can do anything about this rightfully since these persons have achieved their Bachelor's degree, online or otherwise.

And on a different note, did you go to Boule?

If i understand you correctly, I never said (or meant to insinuate) that women pursuing membership on the alumnae level shouldnt be able to if they got their UG degree from such institutions. I was looking at it from a purely undergraduate perspective, actually.

However, if someone DID pursue my alumnae chapter in this scenario, the question (from me) wouldnt be "why didn't you pursue us in UG?" because it would be (likely) obvious that membership wasn't an option (or not a priority) at that time.

Which, IN THIS CASE, i would be OK with, because again, IMO, if you are pursuing higher education through these nontraditional routes (community college, trade school, online) then your pursuit of higher education (and circumstances) are probably non-traditional (ie. working full time, an older students, have children, can't afford the time/money to attend an institution that affords the privilege and access to pursing our membership).

If there are reasons outside those above, well then you forfeit your right (on the undergraduate level). Besides, a candidate is more than their GPA and what type of school they attended (on the graduate level, at least), so i wouldn't get uber hung up on it.

No, I didn't attend Boule, but heard it was good times. Saving my pennies for 2012 - I need to stop frontin, i'll have been 7 years in by then. No excuses!

I am much less annoyed at the prospect of alumnae aspirants with degrees from nontraditional institutions than I am by collegiate aspirants at nontraditional institutions.

After reading the entire discussion, this pretty much sums it up for me.

Bump because....