Joining Two Different Fraternities
 

There's a young man I know who is already in a nationally recognized fraternity. He rushed his first semester as a freshman and is now an active member. However, before joining this fraternity, he was interested in joining a "Divine 9" fraternity (for those of you who don't know: predominately black fraternities and sororities). He's come to me in confidence, wanting to know whether I thought it would be alright for him to pursue or at least look into joining a Divine 9 fraternity. He also said that a few of his friends and other peers had told him that there was nothing wrong with joining two fraternities, but this is why I'm here.

What are your thoughts on any given man joining or even pursuing more than one fraternity?

Note: the Divine 9 fraternities are not even associated with the "Greek life" on his campus.

Thanks to all in advance.

My guess would be that the D9 would automatically turn away any member of an NIC fraternity.

Organizationally, Alpha Phi Alpha doesn't allow it.

Personally, I wouldn't allow it.

It has clearly happened among some NPHC orgs and I think it's ridiculous.

Just read through some of the old Pike at Howard threads and see what happened to some of those guys.

I can only imagine what fraternity/school you go to.

Four of the five NPHC fraternities (Alpha Phi Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Phi Beta Sigma) are also members of the NIC. Under NIC Standards or By-Laws (forget which), these four would not be able to initiate a man unless the man requested - and was granted - a release from his current (first) NIC fraternity.

However, just cause you can do so (request and be granted a release), does not mean that you will be able to join.

As noted, the second organization might not allow someone who was previously initiated in *any* other social fraternity - regardless if it is NPHC, NIC/IFC/FLA, NAPAPA, NALFO, NMGC or an independent/local chapter - to join. And even if a fraternity's laws allows it, campus culture might be such that a specific chapter would not.

Thanks. I appreciate the responses.

ok...what type of frat is he in now? is it a music frat(kkpsi, phi mu alpha, etc), service frat(a phi omega, etc), religion frat or is it another social frat? Because if it is another social frat, then he'll definitely not be able to pursue membership in the NPHC frats. if its anything else, then he's good money...

hehe...lest we forget....

Do you have a link???