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.”
1906 Cornell University Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
1908 Howard University Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
1911 Indiana University Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
1911 Howard University Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
1913 Howard University Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
1914 Howard University Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
1920 Howard University Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
1922 Butler University Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
1963 Morgan State University Iota Phi Theta Fraternity
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Growth of NPHC
Fraternities and Sororities
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The
growth of NPHC fraternities and sororities, on both historically white
and historically black campuses, can be viewed in three distinct phases:
Post World War I
Undergraduate
chapters of NPHC affiliate organizations began to spread to major
research universities admitting Blacks and to major historically Black
colleges in the South. Graduate chapters were birthed in cities across
the US as civic and service organizations, due to blatant racism
prohibiting African Americans from participating in general civic
organizations within their communities after college graduation.
Post World War II
NPHC
affiliate chapters proliferated on southern historically Black college
campuses. Many cultural traditions which differed markedly from
historically white college traditions became refined and embedded within
the African American tradition and culture (e.g., " lining" and
public skits on campus as a part of "pledging").
Post Civil Rights Act 1964
Many
colleges and universities which had previously denied admittance to
African Americans or which had small enrollments grew in their enrollment
of African Americans and established chapters on their campuses. Such
actions caused the numbers of NPHC affiliate organizations to swell to
over 400 undergraduate chapters and just as many graduate chapters on the
average for each organization. Presently, there are approximately 1.5
million members of undergraduate and graduate affiliate chapters served
by NPHC.
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The
Establishment of a Tradition
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In 1992, through the joint cooperation of Indiana
University-Bloomington and the National Board of Directors of NPHC, the
first permanent national office for NPHC was established in Bloomington, Indiana
on the campus of Indiana University. Prior to its establishment, for over
a 62 year period, the national office would sojourn from one officer to
the next.
NPHC
changed its national constitution in 1993, at the National Convention, to
allow for the appointment of its first Executive Director, Dr. Michael V.
W. Gordon. At the same convention, NPHC changed its constitution to
create the possibility for like organizations to apply for membership. In
1995, the first international council was chartered in Nassau, Bahamas.
While in 1996, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity joined as its ninth affiliate
member.
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"Why the Tradition Must Continue On College
Campuses"
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To understand the need for and concept of the
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., one must first consider, understand
and familiarize oneself with the historical accounts and significance of
predominantly Black Greek-letter organizations. While having their own
distinct heritages, the nine (9) member organizations of NPHC offer
insight and a unique perspective into this understanding and the
development of Black socioeconomic and cultural life.
Each of the nine (9) NPHC organizations evolved during a
period when African Americans were being denied essential rights and
privileges afforded others. Racial isolation on predominantly white
campuses and social barriers of class on all campuses created a need for
African Americans to align themselves with other individuals sharing
common goals and ideals. With the realization of such a need, the African
American (Black) Greek-lettered organization movement took on the
personae of a haven and outlet, which could foster brotherhood and
sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change through the development
of social programs that would create positive change for Blacks and the
country. Today the need remains the same.
While NPHC affiliate organizations recognize the social
aspect of Greek college life, the primary purpose and focus of member
organizations remains community awareness and action through educational,
economic, and cultural service activities. NPHC affiliates and their
respective members have pledged to devote their resources to service in
their respective communities, realizing that the membership experience of
NPHC organizations goes beyond organizational membership during an
individual’s college career. A lifetime commitment to the goals and
ideals of each respective organization is stressed. The individual member
is also expected to align himself with a graduate/alumni chapter,
following graduation from college, with the expectation that he/she will
attend regular chapter meetings, regional conferences and national
conventions, and take an active part in matters concerning and affecting
the community in which he or she lives.
The need to form campus-based councils to represent NPHC
affiliate organizations is not motivated by a “separatist” philosophy.
The establishment of councils assists in maintaining a distinct identity
as “service based organizations,” as opposed to organizations that may be
strictly social in nature; NPHC, Inc. does not advocate a disassociation
from NIC, NPC, or NALFO organizations on college campuses. The council’s
purpose is to promote unity and expose members to the “service for life”
philosophy and foster leadership development and scholarship.
Furthermore, the National Pan-Hellenic Council provides a forum for
participation and interaction among the members of affiliate
organizations and the organizations themselves. It provides for a
stronger unified voice and a stronger unified body. The continued
advocacy for the establishment of local councils not only stems from
tradition, but also from the realization that many colleges and
universities maintain organization registration policies requiring an
organization to belong to a national organization and that national
organization to a national umbrella organization, in order to function on
that respective campus.
It is the endeavor of NPHC, Inc. to foster a more stable
environment on campuses for local NPHC councils, provide a forum for
dialogue, and provide training for and management of it's respective
councils. Having such an entity in place to serve as an umbrella
organization centralizes and provides a clearinghouse for information
sanctioned by the NPHC Council of Presidents, whether on the
university/college campus and/or in civic, social, and political arenas.
It is essential to have such a voice to advocate concerns of local
councils and assert the position of the national body, particularly in
decisions or rulings that may have a negative impact.
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2001 - RESOLUTION #1
JUVENILE JUSTICE
61st NPHC National Convention
Philadelphia, PA
October 18-21, 2001
WHEREAS, 29% of female juveniles and 46% of male
juveniles are involved with the justice system before reaching the age of
18; and
WHEREAS, violent juvenile crime is on
the rise and includes 6% of juvenile arrests and 14% of all violent crime
arrests for juveniles and adults; and
WHEREAS, states spend more than twice
as much of their juvenile justice budget on institutional placement as on
community based programs; and
WHEREAS, more than half of the states
have a rate of 72 teen deaths per 100,000 youths by accident, homicide
and suicide per year; and ,
WHEREAS, more than half of the states
have a rate of over 400 arrests for violent crimes per 100,000 youths age
10-17.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., commit to addressing the state
of crisis of the juvenile justice system throughout America; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that local
councils encourage social intervention prevention programs for juveniles;
foster and promote community awareness and involvement with the juvenile
justice system; and promote the development of moral, healthy and
educated children.
Submitted by the Resolutions
Committee for presentation at the 61st NPHC National Convention.
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2001 - RESOLUTION #2
HIV/AIDS
61st NPHC National Convention
Philadelphia, PA
October 18-21, 2001
WHEREAS, the disease known as HIV/AIDS reached
epidemic proportions in the last millennium; and
WHEREAS, the infection rate of the
disease known as HIV/AIDS is among our communities of color on the rise
instead of decline; and
WHEREAS, the disease known as
HIV/AIDS has become one of the top five leading causes of death in the
African American community for men and women between the ages of 18 and
44, and the number two cause of death of children in underdeveloped and
developing populations of people of color on the continent of Africa; and
WHEREAS, the Congressional Black
Caucus has called the United States Secretary of Health and Human
Services and the U.S. Surgeon General to declare HIV/AIDS as a public
health threat to the African American community; and
WHEREAS, the National Pan-Hellenic
Council, Inc. has dedicated its strengths and membership to public
service; and
WHEREAS, the membership of the
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. picks up the torch and joins in
spirit and presence to create policy, enlighten, educate, and aid in the
elimination of this disease around the world; and
WHEREAS, for the health and well
being of the greater community and our own membership, let it be known
that the Western Region of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. has
adopted the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation as one of our
primary service focuses for the biennium.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., affirms a commitment to AIDS
prevention and education campaigns; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that local
councils work with other organizations within their community to conduct
prevention and education campaigns.
Submitted by the Resolutions
Committee for presentation at the 61st NPHC National Convention.
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Resolutions - 1995
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1995 -
RESOLUTION #1
Empowerment and Collaboration Among African-American Greek
Letter Organizations
58th NPHC National Convention
San Diego, California
October 14, 1995
WHEREAS, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
represents the nine historically African-American fraternities and
sororities; and
WHEREAS, the National Pan-Hellenic
Council, Inc. represents a diverse membership comprised of college
students, celebrities, corporate, political and community leaders; and
WHEREAS, The National Pan-Hellenic
Council, Inc. is comprised of 1.2 million educated, professional and accomplished
African-Americans in the United States, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and
abroad; and
WHEREAS, at the 25th Annual
Legislative weekend of the Congressional Black Caucus, members of the
nine Pan-Hellenic organizations conducted a forum entitled
"Empowerment and Collaboration Among African-American Greek Letter
Organizations. A Powerful Force"; and
WHEREAS, at said forum the specific
areas of Telecommunications, Higher Education, Affirmative Action,
Economic Development and Voter Education/Registration were publicly
announced as the key areas of focus for the collective nine
organizations;
Be it resolved, that this body does
officially adopt these five areas as our focus at all levels of the
organization, and
Be it also resolved, that the National
Pan-Hellenic Council will oppose all legislation or persons which are in
direct opposition to these ideals which support the growth and
development of the African-American community and,
Be it further resolved, that it is
recommended that all nine member organizations develop programs and or
projects which support these objectives, thereby allowing us to make a
unified statement of our objective as African-American Greek Letter
Organizations to the nation at-large.
Submitted by the Resolutions Committee
for presentation at the 58th NPHC National Convention.
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1995 -
RESOLUTION #2
FINANCIAL AID
58th NPHC National Convention
San Diego, California
October 14, 1995
WHEREAS, The National Pan-Hellenic Council is
comprised of undergraduate and graduate level members, and
WHEREAS, each National Pan-Hellenic Council
member organization promotes education and scholastic achievement, and
WHEREAS, it is our concern that the
proposed Congressional Action to reduce Federal Financial Aid will
negatively effect low and middle income students nationwide.
Be it resolved that the National
Pan-Hellenic Council opposes any Congressional Act to reduce Federally
Funded Student (Financial) Aid, and will encourage our members to support
those candidates with similar views.
Submitted by the Resolutions
Committee for presentation at the 58th NPHC National Convention.
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1995 -
RESOLUTION #3
MEDIA
IMAGE
58th NPHC National Convention
San Diego, California
October 14, 1995
WHEREAS, The National Pan-Hellenic Council member
organizations have provided millions of volunteer hours and collectively
millions of dollars in terms of financial support for public service
organizations since 1906; and
WHEREAS, the broadcast and print media have
traditionally portrayed African American Fraternities and Sororities in a
negative fashion; and
WHEREAS, recent broadcast of 20/20, New York
Undercover, 60 minutes and an article in Essence Magazine among others
have not given a balanced view of fraternity and sorority life.
Be it resolved that, the National Pan-Hellenic Board
is encourage to send written correspondence to the media in response to negative
press on a case by case basis, focusing on positive aspects of fraternity
and sorority life during Undergraduate days and beyond.
Submitted by the Resolutions
Committee for presentation at the 58th NPHC National Convention.
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