Non IFC and PHC
 

Hi guys, this is my first post, so apologies in advance if a topic like this has been posted before.

Greek Week was last week, and although it was awesome, it had me wondering about all those USFC (Our Ethnic Greek Council) Fraternities and Sororites. I was wondering about how important they are to us at IFC and PHC.

I asked a member of another Fraternity in IFC, and he said "Aside from Greek Week, we don't care about those guys. They're not real Greeks to us because they don't have houses, plus when you cater to one race or culture, you lose the basis of what being a greek is about."

I was just wondering how much those ethnic greeks (Lambda Phi Epsilon (Asian), Gamma Zeta Alpha (Hispanic) participate with IFC and PHC organizations. For instance, none of the Panhellanic Sororities ever have socials and exchanges with the Asian Frat.

Before one of my bros joined Delta Sig, he rushed an Asian Frat (theyre local), and he left because he said he didn't fit in well with them. All they did was race Hondas and rave, which he wasn''t into. He felt much better and felt a lot more at home with us at Delta Sig, and we're glad to have him.

This frat he pledged has gotten somewhat bigger, and they claim that they're making progress on campus, yet when i talked to a guy in Sigma Chi, he said "They like to think that, but they'll never be like us."

I just wanted to compare what goes on with this at our school with some of the other schools out there, plus what the general attitude is from IFC and Panhellenic regarding ethinic and multicultural fraternities.

I'd guess here in San Diego is different, because we have MANY of these type of Greeks, a lot of it is due to the big diversity we have in San Diego

Thanks.

At UCO I don't think you really could say there is much of a stance at all as far as these organizations go. They have never really expressed any interest in being included in the IFC/PHC Greek System. They do still report to the same University Greek Life advisor that we do (I think).

This year one Latina sorority did participate in Greek Week and I think all groups participated in homecoming. That's about the extent of our interaction.

All of the ethnic oriented groups do their own thing. As far as I know they're not really individually recognized like we are. Some are, but most only affiliate with the school through the BSA (Black Student Association). There is a Latina sorority and I believe a Latino fraternity is colonizing on campus (I saw a party flyer at least).

To be honest I don't see a whole lot of most of these groups.

LHT
Kevin

On my campus the local organizations out number the NIC or NPC orgs. There are 3 NIC fraternities and three NPC sorors on campus and about 7 or so local sorors, maybe more and at least 5 local fraternities. They are each pretty small though. We do participate together in fraternity sorority council.. (the governing body of all greek orgs on our campus) and we do presents(a party where each org gets to parade their new member across the stage, it's actually really fun) with EVERYONE twice a year after spring and fall rush. We also have an all greek picnic once a year where everyone gets together in golden gate park. Other than that I must admit that there's not that much socialization between the locals and us in NPC or NIC... I know my soror is tryign to change that for next year and we have a few event set up with one of the frats and a girls night with one of the multicultural sororities.

I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which is recognized, Nationally so we are not a local organization. AKA is also a member of the NPHC(National PHC), here is my take on the post....

8 out of 9 members of the BGLO(Black Greek Letter Org. - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.) were founded and incorporated in the early 1900's, the other(Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.) was formed during the mid 1900's....once our frat/sor were formed, if you recall that was during the time when racism had a really strong arm on the American society, becoming a member of the IFC or PHC was not an option.... that's why the NPHC was formed....

....as far as being individually recognized..well that depends on what campus your from..

???"They're not real Greeks to us because they don't have houses,...." --ignorance is bliss--
..what does having a house on campus have to do with being greek...on some college campuses, greek houses are forbidden.

???......plus when you cater to one race or culture, you lose the basis of what being a greek is about,-- wasn't the primary bases of forming a frat was to cater to the rich white males at the "prestiges' universities.....makes ya say, "hhhhuuuummm"


...My sorority as well has the others NPHC members are COMMUNITY SERVICE based organizations NOT SOCIAL , as majority of the IFC and PHC have been. Hence, the reason why you would probably never see NPHC members participate in the annual rush week on your campus.....see, once we graduate from undergrad, our frats / sor days do not stop there....we transition to the graduate level, were we continue the purpose of our sorority / fraternity.

..hopes this has shed some light on the subject


Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc
H E Omega Chapter

I think he was just wondering why the historically ethnic glos on his campus didn't seem interested in getting to know anyone from the other GLOs...not attacking their stance as "real" or social/service or lifelong or anything.... but then again I"m not going to try to speak for him either.....

Just wanted to clarify something that I believe to be a misconception about NPC groups. I've heard NPHC members state many times the fact that they continue the purpose of their organization after they finish their undergraduate days at school. And, sometimes, the way that the NPHC members state this fact seems to imply that they feel that NPC members do not continue to be involved with their GLOs after graduation.

I just want to point out that joining an NPC group is for life -- the same as joining an NPHC group is for life. I'm just as active now as a Delta Zeta alumna as when I was a collegiate. My philanthropy work and my social activities did not halt when I graduated. In fact, they have increased because I now am a member of 3 alumnae chapters and am an advisor to a DZ collegiate chapter (as opposed to being a member of a single chapter in college). My membership in these alumnae chapters has increased the opportunities for me to get involved in charitable, as well as social, events.

Anyway, I just wanted to clarify that NPC members don't stop striving to live up to their organization's standards after they leave school. I think some NPHC members may feel that they do, and I hope that my note clears up any misconceptions of that nature.

Greek Love to All,
dzrose93 :)

At SDSU, we also have NHPC.

They consist of Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho and Alpha Phi Alpha. I hear nothing but positive things from other greeks. One thing I would like to know is if they do different pledge programs at different universities, because NHPC here does "intake", not the normal pledge that GLOs do. It's kinda like SigEp's balanced Man program here, where you don't rush, but you have to work out and study (Balanced Man).

I wasn't really talking about NHPC, there is a lot of tradition and history and nothing but positive things. I was refering more to our USFC style Greeks, who want to get involved deeply with IFC and PHC, but most of the time (aside from Greek Week), shunned.

"I know my soror is tryign to change that for next year and we have a few event set up with one of the frats and a girls night with one of the multicultural sororities."~Glitter650

That's really cool...I never really thought people have socials with non IFC-NPC houses...and you have to start somewhere. So I'm happy your house is branching out.

As for my school, it's hard to change the status quo. This is the way things have been since the beginning--you do your best to be associated with the "best houses" (during Homecoming Week or in general) and that puts you one more rung up on the social ladder. The non IFC-NPC groups get lost in the mix, with the exception of Greek Week...and we all have a good time during Greek Week. But just because we don't interact with the multicultural houses as much as we do with each other doesn't mean we consider them any less Greek--we just think that's their thing...you know? It's a different level, I guess.

And outtAKAntrol, you're right about the earliest fraternities being founded to cater to rich white males at prestigious universities (everything back then was founded to cater to rich white males!)...but the thing is, many houses have non-white members, too and I think we're just intimidated b/c most of us could never fathom joining a multicultural house b/c we don't know if we'd fit in (I mean, anyone is allowed to join, I'm assuming?)

Because the thing is, when you talk about XYZ you might say something like, "Oh, yeah, they had their philanthropy last week. Oh, tonight they're having a social with ABC." Whatever. But if we were to mention a multicultural house, it would be identified as the black house, the asian house, whatever, and that seems like,"Everyone else need not apply." Not that I'm saying they're elitist (but aren't we all) but (where the hell am I going with this?) it's just a different world. Multicultural houses find strength and sisterhood or brotherhood within their similar heritage and ideals and outlook on society, whereas other houses find strength and sisterhood and brotherhood in the visions their founders had. An analogy I would use is that they're like different religions...(now for effect, hum "Heal the world.") For example, Catholics and Baptists are both Christian. But they're really different in their beliefs and operate differently.

That's it. End of explanation. My thoughts are all jumbled (and I actually expect to write for a living--someone's going to be living in a box!). All I can say is, IFC-NPC houses and multicultural houses are different. Not a bad different, not a different that can't get along, but different. I'm Filipino myself, but there is no way I could ever see myself in an Asian sorority...I wouldn't measure up to the kids who actually speak their parents' native language, among other things...I don't even have any Asian friends! My best friends/favorite sorority sisters are like people I've been raised with, I have so much in common with them...their parents just don't happen to be from the same country as my parents. They're like the friends you made in kindergarden--you don't care what their ethnicity is, you care if they're fun and good friends.

If you read to the end of this, you deserve a medal or something. How about I have a brainstorming session before my next "brain fart" post?

Funny you say that. I'm Filipino too, and I never really had any Asian friends, except in Delta Sig where there are two Asians.

My 1st semester, i pledged an Asian Frat, but I also did not fit in well with them. My entire High School life, I never had any Asian freidns, what made me think to join an Asian frat.

I didn't fit in well with them. All they did was rave, race Hondas and pledge activities, unlike the fun I've been having with Delta Sig

I hope no one really thinks that....
I believe that if you think you are greek than you are greek. There is no set of prerequisites you must first attain. It's simply something that you are or you are not. Whether you are or not is up to you!

When most of us were founded, white males were all that were attending institutions of higher learning. However, if you look at ANY NIC or NPC organization I'm sure you'll find plenty of non-caucasians as members. We weren't founded to cater to a race, we were founded to cater to the principles that our founders fealt were important. We have progressed into the 21st century and judge a potential member by their character, not by the color of their skin.

Again, I'd say that there is no one "true" definition for being Greek. I'd consider all members of traditionally black or multicultural organizations to be just as much members of their respective organizations as I am to mine.

The two (or 3) groups don't really seem to pay much attention to eachother, we sort of do our own things. I think it is unfortunate because there is so much we stand to benefit from by working more closely.

LHT,
Kevin

{Because the thing is, when you talk about XYZ you might say something like, "Oh, yeah, they had their philanthropy last week. Oh, tonight they're having a social with ABC." Whatever. But if we were to mention a multicultural house, it would be identified as the black house, the asian house, whatever, and that seems like,"Everyone else need not apply." Not that I'm saying they're elitist (but aren't we all) but (where the hell am I going with this?) it's just a different world. Multicultural houses find strength and sisterhood or brotherhood within their similar heritage and ideals and outlook on society, whereas other houses find strength and sisterhood and brotherhood in the visions their founders had.}

__________________________________________________ _

Rowdysister, I think people have a misunderstanding of Multicultural and Ethnic orgs. Multicultural orgs are not the Black houses, Asian, or even Latino. They are multicultural. Just like you have Historically African American Fraternities and Sororities, you have historically Asian, Latino, and even Native American organizations. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME! That being said, Ethnic orgs especially the Latino orgs are open to anyone who aspires to uplift the Latino-minority community in general.

Multicultural Orgs. do find strength in the visions their founders had. Their vision was to form an multicultural org. where every race, religion etc. was welcome and to provide community service in those communities. Do MCGLO's have strong sisterhood and brotherhood, yes! Does it end there, No.

"Their vision was to form an multicultural org. where every race, religion etc. was welcome and to provide community service in those communities."

Same with us...fraternities were to band men together and sororities were to band women together...even though there have been some stigma about a minority joining these organizations in the beginning, that's not the case anymore. We just all need to celebrate our Greekdom...and that's that. :D (hum "heal the world" again, for effect)

Hi everyone...I just wanted to add my change to the thread....

I am a sister of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. and one of the goals we strive for is Unity within the greek community (as well as in the outside community of course :)

One thing I would like to clear up from some of the posts i see on here is that Multicultural isn't the same as Minority...People sometimes seem to confuse the two and automatically assume that Multicultural Greek orgs are only for minorities...which isn't the case at all...hence the word multicultural......which means EVERYONE :)

Ok with that said....I just wanted to say that we are always striving to unite greek orgs together whether it be with community service, social activities, or forums....etc.

I;m happy to see from this post that others a beginning to some together as well.....

Lambda Phi Epsilon is part of IFC at the University of Houston and they typically are considered the swing vote since two voting slates exist.

That's cool that the Lambdas are involved in IFC matters, but do they have socials and exchanges with the PHC sororities as much as the other IFC groups do?

To the best of my knowledge, no.

area of study-related groups
 

I remember that about twos years ago at my school (university of pittsburgh), an engineering women's sorority wanted to affiliate with our panhellenic. They got turned down because they only accept engineering students, thus discriminating. I never really understood why they would want to join in the first place...... ? The couldn't really get people through our rush (very few engineering students rush at my school) and they're not organized in the same way.

I like what you had to say outtAKAntrol, because I know where you are coming from. My dad is an Omega Psi Phi from UCLA, my mom a Delta Sigma Theta from Pepperdine, and my sister a Delta from Tennessee State University. Yet, I joined a traditional IFC fraternity. Their participation in their organizations has not ended, ever though they are out of college, and especially since they live in the south, where there are ALWAYS events to help better minority high schoolers and college students. I hope that I feel the same way when I leave school about my fraternity, although it's the brothers that I have here that really matter, not so much brothers I don't know.

On my campus, we also have the Asian and Hispanic fraternities, and it's great! I feel that everyone should have a group that they feel comfortable in-there are plenty of all-white groups and no one cares about them being all white, so they should have their organization as well, and they should feel free to participate or not in campus activities if they choose.

With all due respect dzrose, I don't think the alumni level of NPC/IFC orgs and the NPHC is the same thing at all, or even particularly similar.

I have a number of friends who joined IFC and NPC orgs in college(I was actually a sweetheart and knew a lot of the NPC/IFC sorority members fairly well) , and when they hit graduation, they were gone. There was not even an expectation of them continuing their affiliation, and certainly no pressure on them to do so. The most contact they have with their respective orgs now is going back to school for a party now and then, or they might have lunch with fellow alumns every once in a while. One friend is in fact joining the grad chapter of his org, and about all it really involved was him buying a new hat and having lunch with people.

It does not IMHO even begin to compare with the level of activity that BGLO members who affiliate with grad chapters maintain. Biweekly meetings, weekly service, monthly events, it is just a whole different ball game. And affiliation is something that is really really expected, at least when you reach a certain level of income it is. I don't think I can even convey to someone not in our community what it means.

Even if you are NOT active, being in a BGLO means something. THere are so many IFC and NPC orgs that even keeping the names straight can be difficult (Chi O, A Chi O? Alpha Sig, ASA?) but we have nine (major), and EVERYONE in the black community knows them. Any African-American watching the Cosby show (for good example) knows this one's an AKA, this one's a Delta, he's an Omega, etc. because it's a part of the organization of our communities, at social and at community service levels and has been for years. NPHC orgs are a big part of black history. Damn near ALL prominent Black Americans (except for Clarence THomas and Condoleeza Rice) are members.

I am not trying to minimize the impact of your orgs at all, my perspective is probably a result of my community, but I grew up in a mostly white school, with a lot of white friends and never saw fraternity or sorority life as much of a part of their culture as it is of ours.

This is also not to say that in your area there is not something similar to the NPHC alumni level for NPC or IFC groups, but in my experience, and the experience of well..everyone that I know... there is no equivalent.

It All Depends On You!
 

I'm a member/founder of the only "Minority" based greek org on my campus, and let me tell you, it wasn't easy. Now, 2 years later, things are barely getting easier. I guess the fact that my campus has a very small greek system didn't make it any easier. To begin with, I didn't even know there were greeks on campus and when I found out, I had already started looking into my own interests.

There are only 2 fraternities (Chi Phi and TKE) and 4 Sororities, of which only 2 are national: Delta Phi Epsilon and my org, Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. which is Latina based. The other 2 sororities are local (PXY and Phi Delta Psi). However, for rush, not only do we have our own events, but we also schedule events with the other orgs. The rush chairs always meet before rush to plan the events together. We also have, through tradition, an all greek picnic/bonfire and an all sorority event. Not only that, we continue to interact with each other throughout the school year as well.

The irony, to our advantage, is that my org (the most recent) has gotten the most recognition out of all the others due to our involvement in school events. Being Latina based, we focus on the Latino culture and promotion of cultural awareness. We've co-sponsored a High School Conference for Latino youth, we've also co-sponsored/founded our University's "Celebracion Latina:" which is a week-long event of workshops and presentations having to do with the Latino culture and countries, and we tutor ESL students at the local schools. Currently, we are planning a minority women's conference with help of the Multicultural Center. Also, when we first started having events on campus, people were coming up to us and asking us if WE were the only sorority on campus. Why, because none of the others orgs did anything except for their yearly philanthropic event.

I guess what I've been getting at is that it all depends on your campus and your organization. My org is non-NPC, but has more recognition than the other sororities on campus. To make this year even better, we received the award for Community Service and one of my sisters received this years award for sorority member with the Highest GPA at this years Greek Awards Night. So you see, it's all about your accomplishments. NPC or Non-NPC, IFC or Non-IFC, it varies with location and organization.

For me it wasn't about prestige or reputation, it was about what worked for me, where I felt comfortable, who would bring out the best in me. Be proud of who you are and always represent your organization the best way possible!

I forgot to add...
 

Although we may be Latina based, out membership is open to everybody! I know the fact that the majority of our members have a Latino heritage may make other feel like it's not the place for them, but we also have members who do not identify with being Latina. Also, although our focus is on Latino culture, we address the issues that need addressing on campus, and they don't have to deal with Latinos. However, they usually do tend to deal with minorities. Then again, I don't see any of the other orgs addressing the issues we do.

I think there IS more of an impact felt by the NPHC groups on the Black community, simply because the Black community is more of a community. (I feel like that's a huge oversimplification but I don't know how else to put it.)

It is true...some places in the country you can go and say "I'm an ASA"* and people are like, oh wow cool...if you go to California or Oregon and say you are an ASA, the response will probably be, "Is that a local?" Whereas you can go anywhere in the country and a lot of places around the world and say you are an AKA and everyone knows what you're talking about.

Would the NPC and NIC have a similar alum structure if we had fewer orgs? I don't know...it's kind of a which came first the chicken or the egg question.

*ASA = Alpha Sig. I am one. :D

It's true that there is more of an expectation that NPHC members _must_ remain involved after graduation than NPC or IFC members. Those who don't remain involved don't. However, those NPC and IFC members who _do_ remain involved are generally as involved as any NPHC graduate member.

But the focus of an NPHC grad member is different than of an NPC alumna. NPHC grad members do much of the same stuff undergrads do - service primarily - and don't focus on supporting the undergrads. But NPC alumnae spend most of their energy on supporting the collegiates, although they do philanthropy as well. And we initiate relatively few grads into our alum chapters vs. the NPHC graduate chapters. NPHC and NPC orgs are all for life (or are supposed to be), but NPC focuses on the college aspect more strongly than the NPHC does. That is why I suspect that many NPHC members view NPC membership as being college-only.

I belong to Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority. We don't belong to any certain council. At different schools we belong to different councils. We are not traditionally any culture/race/ethnicity and we like that about our organization. I think that IFC and NPC organizations have to be real and sya outright that they are traditionally white fraternities and sororities and they have to understand that minorities may not want to belong to a group where they may be of very few numbers on theit campus. To put down "local groups" because they have a majority of a certain ethnicity is wrong because people join social groups to 'social"ize with people that they would have something in common with. On my campus we have IFC NPC and NPHC and my sorority isn't under council now we even have auxiliary groups and we are able to come together at times to do activities but it would be wrong for anybody to trivialize the importance of any group because they mean a lot to the people that are in them. The comment made that certain groups will never be what other groups are was made by a narrow-minded person and any of those with those type of feelings should be ignored.

To answer the question of whether or not only black people pledge BGLO's (NPHC member), the answer is no. I'm filipino, full blooded, proud of my people, proud of their accomplishments, and i love all of them. Yet, i'm not in a asian organization, I'm a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc (Part of the NPHC). I have a ton of filipino friends, yet i joined a black fraternity. I didn't join it becuase "i wanted to join a black fraternity" i joined it becuase i believe in what it stands for. i've gotten crazy stares from other NPHC members, and from a lot of asian people, but i could care less what they think. the asian fraternity was cool, the white fraternities were ok, but like you said, i can't see myself associating with them. i've seen white, hispanic, and asian iotas, white deltas, white que's, white and asian sigmas, white kappas. It's not unheard of. if you're willing to stand up for what your founders believed in, then you deserve to be a part of that orgnaziation, regardless of what race you are.

are you kidding? then obviously you don't know any NPHC members.

what does being able to speak the native tounge have to do with be a socially conscious asian woman? i bet half of those kids can't even speak the language. people join these organizations to promote the particular culture. i know asian girls in white sororities who are part of the filipino group, the asian assoc. ect. you don't have to have asian friends to understand what it's like to be asian in america...and you don't have to join an asian sorority to have sense of self. but you should have an idea of what your culture is, and where you came from. if you don't know your roots, then i'm sorry for you.

Geez, I didn't mean the language issue was the whole thing. I just don't identify with my culture as much as other people might. I do not consider myself a socially conscious Asian woman, I just consider myself a socially conscious woman. Period. I have a sense of self that I do not need to prove to anyone else but myself. My idea of my culture and my roots is my family...but you know what? Thanks for judging me...I couldn't have lived without that. :rolleyes:

i'm not judging you, but being an asian woman, how do you forget your roots? i'm not saying i read jose rizal books or nothing (though, i'm going to make that move one day), but i at least do not forsake my culture. i'm sure your parents don't associate being filipino with just their family also. i don't speak the language either, but i don't close myself away from other people who share the same culture i do. you don't have to be an activist. why not open yourself up and join an asian or filipino group or something? you'll be surprised how much you'll fit in. they're all not ravers or racers like everyone thinks. they have fun parties, pot luck dinners with sinigang, adobo (pork and chicken), lumpia, and kari-kari (i'm sure you know what these are). there are a ton of "normal" people like yourself in them also.

In my organization, the fact that a couple of my sisters had never identified with being Latina, although their last name was "hispanic," is what made them join. They took it as an opportunity to learn more about the culture they didn't get the chance to know. Not only that, the "non-latinas" joined out of interest in the Latino culture.

@ starang21
 

Excellent posts!! :)

Serenity,
You took the words right out of my mouth!



Red Angel

Re: @ starang21
 

thank you. i just think it's shame when someone forgets who they are, and where they came from. it's a shame people want to close themselves off from their roots and culture. how can you not identify with something that is who you are? or have you already given up on it?

Re: Re: @ starang21
 

The only thing I have given up on is trying to explain myself to you. You have already misconstrued everything I have previously said, so I'm not going to waste more time on this. Yes, everyone should know where they came from. I'm going to drop this now. PM me if you wish.