NIC fraternities and their founding

[Psi U MC Vito]

Psi Upsilon was founded originally as a literary society.

[DrPhil]

I assume AGR considers itself a social-professional fraternity:

http://www.alphagammarho.org/prospective-members

Perhaps the same applies to Sigma Phi Delta based on the "social-professional fraternity" references on its national and chapter websites.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Little Dragon

I actually found AGR in a list of professional fraternities and sororities not conforming to Title IX. In that same list was Sigma Phi Delta, which is a member of both NIC and PFA.

Looking at the PFA can be a little misleading, in that membership eligibility is fairly broad -- member fraternities "shall be identified by, or related to a field of study or common interest." (Per the PFA website.) The PFA includes professional fraternities, service fraternities (like APO) and honor fraternities (like Kappa Kappa Psi).

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I assume AGR considers itself a social-professional fraternity:

http://www.alphagammarho.org/prospective-members

Perhaps the same applies to Sigma Phi Delta based on the "social-professional fraternity" references on its national and chapter websites.

AGR does refer to itself that way, as perhaps do a few other GLOs. If they're being classified, they'd be best classified in the manner they describe themselves ("social-professional') or as social, non-general (or special interest) fraternities. They shouldn't be identified simply as "professional."

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Looking at the PFA can be a little misleading, in that membership eligibility is fairly broad -- member fraternities "shall be identified by, or related to a field of study or common interest." (Per the PFA website.) The PFA includes professional fraternities, service fraternities (like APO) and honor fraternities (like Kappa Kappa Psi).


AGR does refer to itself that way, as perhaps do a few other GLOs. If they're being classified, they'd be best classified in the manner they describe themselves ("social-professional') or as social, non-general (or special interest) fraternities. They shouldn't be identified simply as "professional."

I'm trying to figure out how you actually draw the distinction. It's pretty clear that you can't be an AGR and be in another social fraternity. Can you be an AGR and be in another professional fraternity?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I'm trying to figure out how you actually draw the distinction. It's pretty clear that you can't be an AGR and be in another social fraternity. Can you be an AGR and be in another professional fraternity?

Yes, I assume you can. Social fraternities do not prohibit membership in professional fraternities and professional fraternities generally do not prohibit membership in other professional fraternities, except perhaps for other professional fraternities related to the same field of study.

[Little Dragon]

I have updated AGR, AGS and SPhD to Social/Professional with restricted membership. I left triangle as Restricted/Social, since they don't call themselves professional, although they do develop it.

[pshsx1]

Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded as a fraternity for Christian men. It is now broadened, but limited only to men who believe in a higher power.

[Little Dragon]

Originally Posted by pshsx1

Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded as a fraternity for Christian men. It is now broadened, but limited only to men who believe in a higher power.

Done.

[excelblue]

Triangle was founded as a fraternity for civil engineers only. We later expanded membership to engineers, architects, and scientists.

[Little Dragon]

Originally Posted by excelblue

Triangle was founded as a fraternity for civil engineers only. We later expanded membership to engineers, architects, and scientists.

Done!

[Gusteau]

(Very belated) bump!

I wanted to make a small - and really quite insignificant, but I'm persnickety - correction to your listing of Delta Chi. We were founded as a law fraternity, however social/professional would be a better designation for our founding. We have quite a few letters and documents that make it clear that Delta Chi was intended to be a social fraternity from its founding, albeit one for law students only. There's a really good essay written by a past international president about it, but I can't find it at the moment. If I do I will post a link here, I know some of you would be interested in that!

[jazing]

Pi Lambda Phi, although founded as a non-sectarian, was actually founded by 3 jews who were suppressed. I'm not a member so I don't know can't say anything else about it.

[SIGMANU@MSU]

What does [Non-Fraternity] mean on Pi Kappa Phi's??

[Gusteau]

Originally Posted by SIGMANU@MSU

What does [Non-Fraternity] mean on Pi Kappa Phi's??

From Phi Kappa Psi's website (link)

Displeased with the other options on campus and spurred by their caring for classmates after an epidemic hit the Jefferson College campus in Canonsburg, Pa. the previous winter, William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore form the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity on February 19.

[als463]

Originally Posted by Gusteau

From Phi Kappa Psi's website (link)

He asked about Pi Kappa Phi:
http://www.pikapp.org/

I think non-fraternity comes from the fact that they started as "Nu Phi" for "Non-Fraternity" based on their history:
http://www.pikapp.org/content.aspx?id=172