The “Other” Greek Life
Introduction
• Historically white Greek-lettered organizations are structured and
focused on specific ideals that do not typically include cultural diversity.
Large scale philanthropy, alcohol, and social networking are the
primary focus of these organizations. They have historically been
known for being racist, homophobic, sexist, classist, and ableist.
• In 1906, a new entity of Greek life emerged, one focused on social
action, progress, and the empowerment of a people. This new wave is
known as the cultural Greek-lettered movement, beginning with the
historically black Greek-lettered organizations and moving to the
present-day multicultural Greek-lettered organizations. Though they are
each different, they all share a founding based on oppressions, lack of
power, and lack of resources for particular communities.
National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is currently composed of
nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction
through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information
and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various
activities and functions.
On May 10, 1930, on the campus of Howard University, in Washington DC, the
National Pan-Hellenic Council was formed as a permanent organization with
the following charter members: Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternities, and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta
Sororities. In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities joined the
Council. Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority joined in 1937 and Iota Phi Theta
Fraternity completed the list of member organizations in 1997.
The stated purpose and mission of the organization in 1930 was “Unanimity of
thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate
fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its
member organizations.” Early in 1937, the organization was incorporated
under the laws of the State of Illinois and became known as “The National
Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated.”
- http://www.nphchq.org/about.htm
Crests and Letters
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Omega Psi Phi
Kappa Alpha Psi
Est. 1906
Est. 1908
Est. 1911
Est. 1911
Delta Sigma Theta
Phi Beta Sigma
Zeta Phi Beta
Sigma Gamma Rho
Iota Phi Theta
Est. 1913
Est. 1916
Est. 1920
Est. 1922
Est. 1963
In Context
The founding of historically black fraternities and sororities stems back to the turn of the
20th Century, when African-Americans had little to no access to higher education.
Whereas historically white fraternities were created to establish a networking system
and a system of political solidarity for white Americans, historically black Greek-lettered
organizations were created for social action, support, and the empowerment of AfricanAmericans in a white dominated country.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the most notable entity for historically black Greeklettered organizations, but there are many other fraternities and sororities with similar
missions that are not a part of this national council.
George Ritzer’s McDonaldization Theory is very evident in the Rush process of
historically white Greek-lettered organizations, where the process is meant to attain
members as efficiently and conveniently as possible, calculating how much money is
needed from dues to keep the houses afloat. The 7-day process is a mass production of
new members. The NPHC works completely different. The attainment of members is
called an Intake process, where interested members must contact that individual
organization and fulfill numerous requirements to attain their letters. Members of the
organization closely analyze everything about each interested member to ensure that
their intentions are not ill and that they will be an asset to the organization. Membership
in a historically black Greek-lettered organization claim their organization forever,
whereas historically white Greek-lettered organizations usually only claim their
organization during their college years.
Link: Listen to this tune
Famous NPHC Members
Jane Addams (Alpha Kappa Alpha)
Maya Angelou (Alpha Kappa Alpha)
Bill Cosby (Omega Psi Phi)
Aretha Franklin (Delta Sigma Theta)
William Johnson (Kappa Alpha Psi)
Michael Jordan (Omega Psi Phi)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Alpha Phi Alpha)
Thurgood Marshall (Alpha Phi Alpha)
Toni Morrison (Alpha Kappa Alpha)
Rosa Parks (Alpha Kappa Alpha)
Emmit Smith (Phi Beta Sigma)
NALFO
•
•
•
The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) is an
umbrella council for 21 Latino Greek-lettered organizations established in 1998.
The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations,
communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through
mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education.
Established in 1998, NALFO, the National Association of Latino Fraternal
Organizations, set out to become the uniting force for Latin-based fraternities
and sororities. Latino organizations had developed in different parts of the United
States in their early years, and this created difficulties for the organizations to
find information on their peer groups in an effort to come together. As a result,
two different umbrella organizations evolved, the Concilio Nacional de
Hermandades Latinas, which primarily consisted of fraternities and sororities on
the east coast, and NALFO which primarily consisted of fraternities and
sororities that originated on the west coast. In the winter of 2001 the two groups
merged under the NALFO name and made history in developing one umbrella
organization for all Latin-based fraternities and sororities.
Currently there are 21 Latino/a fraternities and sororities that fall under the
NALFO.
–
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Latino_Fraternal_Organizations
NALFO Members
Alpha Pi Sigma
Alpha Psi Lambda
Chi Upsilon Sigma
Gamma Alpha Omega
Gamma Phi Omega
Gamma Zeta Alpha
Kappa Delta Chi
Lambda Alpha Upsilon
Lambda Pi Chi
Lambda Pi Upsilon
Lambda Sigma Upsilon
Lambda Theta Alpha
Lambda Theta Nu
Lambda Theta Phi
Lambda Upsilon Lambda
Omega Phi Beta
Phi Iota Alpha
Sigma Iota Alpha
Sigma Lambda Beta
Sigma Lambda Gamma
Sigma Lambda Upsilon
NMGC
The National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) is the umbrella council for Multicultural Greek
Letter Organizations. NMGC is comprised of 13 member organizations who meet annually to
discuss the development and implementation of the council's mission. Please explore the site to
learn more about our coalition and member organizations.
The 1980s and 1990s saw the emergence of a multicultural fraternity/sorority movement. It seemed
like new fraternities and sororities were popping up everywhere. But, not the typical fraternity
and sorority. The end of the twentieth century gave birth to a colorful movement - that of
multiculturalism. Newly formed fraternities and sororities were looking to write a new page in the
Greek-letter society history books. The message that they announced was the inclusiveness of
all cultures, races, religions, and creeds. Realizing the importance of uniting the new faces of
Greek Life 13 GLOs came together to create a national multicultural council. The NMGC was
conceptualized in 1998 with intentions to unite Greek-letter Fraternities and Sororities under
one national entity. The NMGC serves in an advisory capacity to its member organizations.
Each member organization is autonomous as a Greek-letter society.
• The goals of the NMGC are as follows:
– To provide a forum that allows for the free exchange of ideas, programs, and services
between its constituent fraternities and sororities;
– To promote the awareness of multicultural diversity within collegiate institutions, their
surrounding communities, and the greater community-at-large; and
– To support and promote the works of its member organizations.
– http://www.nationalmgc.org/
Other Types of Fraternities and Sororities
Some organizations exist without a National Council that pertains to a particular
culture or identity:
Asian-American Greek-lettered organizations (over 25):
Pi Delta Psi
alpha Kappa Delta Phi
Kappa Phi Lambda
Lambda Phi Epsilon
South Asian-American Greek-lettered organizations (over 10):
Delta Phi Omega
Beta Chi Theta
Sigma Sigma Rho
Alpha Iota Omicron
Multicultural Greek-lettered organizations (over 15):
Theta Nu Xi
Psi Sigma Phi
Delta Xi Nu
Zeta Sigma Chi
Multiculturalism In Context
These fraternities and sororities do not have the same historical force that the National PanHellenic Council has. The earliest organization was Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity,
Inc., which was founded on December 1975. Because of this, members who join are still
first-generation members in their organization (where as the NPHC has grandparents who
are affiliated). These organizations allow for members who traditionally do fit the mold of
other Greek-lettered organizations to find a place in these more progressive organizations.
The Multicultural movement within Greek life is a recent shift in paradigm, as they began in the
late 1980s. Many of the previously identified Latino or Asian organizations are making
identity shifts and relating to the more progressive multicultural identity, inclusive of
everyone. This not only reflects a more globalized and inclusive organization, but it makes
sense in the 21st Century where many minority groups share similar experiences of
oppression. People are also realizing that identities are intersected, where religious,
sexual, ethnic, and class identities all form diverse groups even within a given group of
similar cultural backgrounds.
Bourdieu spoke about different forms of capital. The modern multicultural movement in Greek
life offers a distinct form of capital that is otherwise not found in more homogenous groups.
Cultural capital is attained most, since these groups offer an understanding about
numerous cultural norms, behaviors, and beliefs. Social capital is also gained because you
attain connections in various social groups, since it is a diverse group of individuals.
Overall, these Greek-lettered organizations offer insight to the ever-changing 21st Century.
Spotlight: Omega Delta Phi
The purpose of this Brotherhood, a Service/Social fraternity dedicated to the needs and concerns of the
community, is and shall be to promote and maintain the traditional values of Unity, Honesty,
Integrity, and Leadership. This Brotherhood was founded in order to provide, ANY man, a diverse
fraternal experience which coincides with a higher education.
Our motto of "Cresit Eundo - It grows as it goes" is reflective of the ever evolving world. Omega Delta
Phi does not rely on the past to identify with the present and future. We realize that our future is
controlled by the actions we do today. Elevating our standards and constant improvement are goals
that every brother of Omega Delta Phi is instilled from their inception.
"One culture, any race." This paradigm accurately describes Omega Delta Phi's philosophy of inclusion.
While proud to be a fraternity founded primarily by Latinos at Texas Tech University, Omega Delta
Phi has always found itself in the position of appealing the people of many races and backgrounds.
The question that begs to be asked is, "Why is this true?" It is that you will find that our ideals are
universal. While other organizations focus on what they have been Omega Delta Phi focuses on
what it is becoming. Race is a limiting concept that forces people of a nationality and/or color into
preconceived roles and expectations. However, any man will tell you that people of the same
nationality can be different as night and day in their beliefs and ideals. A culture, however, is defined
by a set of shared ideals, traditions, and values.
The men of Omega Delta Phi are founded on the concept that in order to truly grow as an individual, one
must experience views which can challenge preconceived perceptions to foster growth and
enlightenment. "One Culture, any race." This is a completely new way of looking at ourselves and
the world we live in. "One culture, any race." A challenge to the closed minded to look beyond what
they believe to be true and realize the truth is largely dependent on one's perspective. "One culture,
any race." A philosophy that suggests the coexistence of various races can be a win-win situation if
we are willing to learn from one another. "One culture, any race" is an ideal for a new millennium
and a new fraternity.
- www.omegadeltaphi.com
Omega Delta Phi Facts
• Founding Date: November 25, 1987
• 36 Chapters and 11 colonies
• Sacraments: Unity, Honesty, Integrity, and
Leadership
• National Motto: Crescit Eundo - “It Grows as it Goes”
• Ideal: “One Culture, Any Race”
• Colors: Scarlet and Silver
– Black as a supporting color
• Mascot: The Silver Knight
• Goals:
– To graduate our brothers
– To serve the community and promote higher education
– To excel academically, athletically and socially
How ODPhi is Different
Service First:
1)
The organization focuses on giving back to the community
through hands-on community service and involvement.
Multiculturalism:
2)
Members are dedicated to learning and educating the
community about diverse cultures and identities to broaden people’s understanding of
others.
Progress: ODPhi focuses on growth, development, improvement, altruism,
3)
and involvement.
Reaching Out: The organization seeks to provide “ANY man” a fraternal
•
4)
experience.
•
5)
Members purposely become involved in communities
that are not their own in efforts to both learn about other groups and teach about their own.
Branching Out:
Greek Lettered Organization Videos
Pi Delta Psi Recruitment Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-rXliWVI7c
Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated at UF:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknffahLVo0
Sigma Gamma Rho Founders Dedication:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bquHu4JRYI
Omega Delta Phi Recruitment Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiAWdZKf8sk
Conclusion
These Greek-lettered organizations have a unique purpose. They are
focused around culture. They were founded to create a space for historically
oppressed people and ideas to have a voice and be successful in higher
education. They provide academic support, a venue for hands on
community service (rather than check-writing philanthropy), and an activist
opportunity to create positive social change in their campuses and
communities.
They also do something unique. They educate about culture as well. Many
members join not knowing much about their own culture or other groups’
cultures. Their norms, values, and beliefs change after becoming a member.
They acquire more capital, go against traditional power structures like the
historically white Greek-lettered organizations, and instill in its members an
ideology of progress and social action. Though there are certainly negative
aspects to these organizations that most of tem are battling, they are overall
positive organizations that are pioneers in educating their campus about the
social construction of culture and its effect in the 21st Century.