NIC/NPC GLOs at HBCs

PhiPsiRuss · #1 12-31-2003, 03:58 PM

Is anyone aware of a NIC or NPC group being at an HBC? How successful were these chapters?

Also, how receptive would students at a school like Howard or Morehouse be to a NIC or NPC group?

Steeltrap · #2 12-31-2003, 04:19 PM

This thread discussed Lambda Chi Alpha at North Carolina A&T, a HBCU.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ambda+AND+HBCU

Tom Earp · #3 12-31-2003, 07:44 PM

SteelTrap, thank you for posting this!

I cannot say for sure, but I think LXA is the First To Colonize at an HBC.

The thing one must remember is that life is not Black and White or Any Colors in between!.

This is an Oportunity for Young Men and Women to find a place where they feel comfortable with the Brothers and Sisters Who they Have Pledged Their Lives!

aopirose · #4 12-31-2003, 10:04 PM

Since Morehouse is all-male, I don't think that an NPC would be successful. Spelman, on the other hand, would be a better NPC choice.

Personally, I think that HBCUs are a virtually untapped market. I think that it would be a challenge for the simple reason that NPHC groups are so entrenched in the AA community. Granted there are a lot of AAs who grow up knowing about different NPC/NIC groups. It would all come down to the NPC/NIC group’s presentation, and then the resources to support such a chapter from a cultural standpoint. You can reference the discussions on recruitment to see what I am talking about.

One thing to consider is that many HBCUs have a growing non-AA population. For example, Lincoln University in MO began as a school founded by the 62nd and 65th Infantries with a purpose to educate freed slaves. The school has now become 50% white.

Sorry if this is disjointed. I am getting ready for a party.

Happy New Year!

ETC: Spelman because I was in a hurry when I first wrote it.

Quote:

Originally posted by russellwarshay
Also, how receptive would students at a school like Howard or Morehouse be to a NIC or NPC group?

Senusret I · #5 01-01-2004, 04:52 PM

I really don't think NPC/NIC orgs would have a fighting chance at most HBCU's, particularly the private ones.

I think MGLO's would have more of a chance, since HBCU's are becoming more diverse in their nationalities and ethnicities represented, as well as more biracial students not wanting to "pick" a culture to identify with more.

Although, for some reason I could see Phi Sigma Sigma doing well on an HBCU campus.....

Tom Earp · #6 01-01-2004, 06:11 PM

I do not know how the Coloniztion at This school is going, can someone Help me out on this!

I beleive LXA is the First NIC Group to colonize at a HBC! This is without going back and reading that link.

I am sure Brother Rodney would enjoy some of the posts on GC, then again, I am not sure!

He is Afro-American, bleeds red, and Purple Green and Gold!

It is amazing, while His Number is much higher than mine, as many times as we have been together over the years, I did not leave a white spot on His Cheek or He leave a Brown Spot on mine!

Amazing, simply Friggen Amazing isnt it!

"Never Call Me Racist, I Dont Like Anybody"!

breathesgelatin · #7 01-02-2004, 05:01 PM

As others have said, I think it is much more likely to happen at public HBCUs (like NC A&T where many of my HS friends go

) than at private schools. I don't think NPC has a snowball's chance in hell of colonizing at Spelman, for example. Last summer, I worked and lived with a young lady and young man from Spelman and Morehouse and they thought that my description of collegiate NPC sorority life was crazy (and probably, a little shallow). I can't see there being interest there because of the strength and proud traditions of the NPHCs there.

Eclipse · #8 01-02-2004, 06:05 PM

Most of the people who choose to attend private HBCUs (including my alma mater--Spelman--only one "L") attend for very specific reasons beyond just the opportunity to get a great education--one of which is usually the chance to be with other like minded African Americans in an educational setting. I think it would be doubtful if an NPC sorority would be embraced on this and other similar campuses. I know that several non NPHC sororities have been started on Spelman's campus, included an afrocentric one, but I don't think they have had a lot of success. It was also hard to gage a lot of interest beyond AKA and Delta at the time, although I think Zeta and Sigma have chapters there now.

breathesgelatin · #9 01-02-2004, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eclipse
It was also hard to gage a lot of interest beyond AKA and Delta at the time, although I think Zeta and Sigma have chapters there now.

My knowledge from my friend at Spelman was that they had AKA, Delta, and Zeta, but not Sigma (this was as of last summer). I could be misinformed however. I am sure the Sigma ladies of GC will set us straight.

aopirose · #10 01-02-2004, 07:44 PM

I agree that a public school would be a better target then a private school. I also think that for it to happen it would need to come from an interest group. Although, there would probably be some interest in the general population.

Any non-NPHC group would probably be treated as suspect and it would take A LOT of education and PR to overcome that. Everything from “Why do you want to come to this campus?” to “Yes, we do have graduate chapters,” would have to be covered ad nauseum. Any group wanting to colonize such campuses would really need to do their homework and have advisors and an XB that truly understand.

BTW - Iota Phi Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi are members of NIC. In fact, a Kappa has served as NIC chairman.

Eclipse · #11 01-02-2004, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aopirose

Any group wanting to colonize such campuses would really need to do their homework and have advisors and an XB that truly understand.

Your post made me think of something else, and I certainly don't want to start another race war.....Since most HBCUs are in the south, I wonder how much alumni support NIC/NPC chapters at HBCUs would get.... hum.....

PhiPsiRuss · #12 01-02-2004, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eclipse
Your post made me think of something else, and I certainly don't want to start another race war.....Since most HBCUs are in the south, I wonder how much alumni support NIC/NPC chapters at HBCUs would get.... hum.....

I've thought about that too. My fraternity, historically has been predominantly white (although we ceased to be all white in the 1860s,) so I asked several alumni from Atlanta about this, and I asked them all seperately. They were all intrigued with the idea of a chapter at Morehouse, but expressed skepticism about the acceptance of a "traditionally white" chapter at that school. If an interest group of 10+ gentlemen were to approach us, not only would they gain immediate approval (unless they expressed a desire to engage in activities that are risk management violations,) but they would also have local alumni support.

I'm fairly confident that this is not unique to Phi Psi. Attitudes about race have changed substantially over the last 40 years. While there are still a few greek systems where most (if not all) of the "white fraternities" have never had a black member, that type of scenario is beginning to disappear.

aopirose · #13 01-03-2004, 04:46 PM

For the most part, I agree with Russell. Racial attitudes have changed but you still may have a member with issues. That person wouldn't be involved anyway so, so much the better. The women that I have talked to about this would be in favor as well, particularly at a school with an outstanding reputation. The only part where I don't agree with Russell is the immediate acceptance of an interest group by AOII. I am not that high up the AOII food chain to make such a statement.