Comprehensive NPHC & Greek Life Orientation Guide

Overview of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

• The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) governs and guides the action and conduct of historically Black Greek-letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, addressing problems of mutual interest among member organizations.
• Core campus activities executed by the NPHC include:
  • Community service initiatives.
  • Performance showcases.
  • Inter-organizational collaborations.
  • Advocacy events.
  • Pre-professional development events.
  • Community building activities (notably emphasized during annual NPHC Week).

Member Organizations and Chapter Profiles

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated (Theta Nu Chapter):

  • Current Chapter President: Anika Bennett.
  • National Founding Date: January 15, 1908.
  • Chapter Charter Date: March 2, 1974 ($03/02/1974$).
  • Sorority Motto: "By culture and by merit".
  • Official Instagram Account: @ThetaNu1908.

• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated (Theta Theta Chapter):

  • Current Chapter President / Polemarch: Abel Nagash.
  • Chapter Founding Date: September 21, 1974 ($09/21/1974$).
  • Official Chapter Charter Date: September 21, 1975 ($09/21/1975$).
  • Founding History: Founded nationally by $10$ founders.
  • Organizational Framework: Guided by Five Objectives.
  • Fraternity Motto: "Achievement in every field of human endeavor".
  • Official Instagram Account: @tntnewspes.

• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated (Kappa Phi Chapter):

  • Current Chapter President: Mikayla Bottoms.
  • National Founding Date: January 13, 1913 ($01/13/1913$) at Howard University.
  • Chapter Charter Date: January 26, 1974 ($01/26/1974$).
  • Four Core Principles: Sisterhood, service, scholarship, and social action.
  • Sorority Motto: "Intelligence is the Torch of wisdom".
  • Mission Statement: An organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community.
  • Five Programmatic Thrusts:
    • Economic development.
    • Educational development.
    • International awareness and involvement.
    • Political awareness and involvement.
    • Physical and mental health.
  • Active Community Engagements: St. Jude's Walk.
  • Official Instagram Account: @UMD_DST.

• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated (Zeta Psi Chapter):

  • Chapter Representative: Corey Broome.
  • Fraternity Motto: "Brotherhood, scholarship, service".
  • National Founding Date: January 9, 1914 ($01/09/1914$) at Howard University.
  • Chapter Charter Date: January 25, 1972 ($01/25/1972$).
  • Organizational Focus: Committed to building a culture that develops leaders, conducts weekly community service, collaborates with regional chapters, and instills leadership mechanisms for future development.

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated (Eta Epsilon Chapter):

  • Current Chapter President: Shanaysia Thomas.
  • National Founding Date: January 16, 1920 ($01/16/1920$) at Howard University.
  • Chapter Charter Date: October 14, 1973 ($10/14/1973$).
  • Sorority Motto: "A community conscious, action-oriented organization".
  • National International Programs:
    • ZHOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel).
    • Stork's Nest.
    • ZNEF (Zeta National Education Foundation).
    • Adopt-A-School.
  • Chapter Awards & Recognitions:
    • Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life (DFSL) President's Club.
    • Nyumburu Greek Organization of the Year.
    • DFSL Green Chapter Outstanding Action.
  • Official Instagram Account: @umbzeta.
  • Programming Schedule: Final study sessions hosted Wednesdays at 5:20 PM; Charter Week hosted annually from October 5 through October 10.

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated (Eta Beta Chapter):

  • Current Chapter President: Manuela Dion.
  • National Founding Date: November 12, 1922 ($11/12/1922$) at Butler University (historically distinguished as the only NPHC sorority established at a Predominantly White Institution).
  • Chapter Charter Date: April 3, 1976 ($04/03/1976$).
  • Sorority Motto: "Greater service, greater progress".
  • Mission Statement: To enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the United States and globally through community service, civil, and social action.
  • Official Instagram Account: @sgrho_hb.

• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated (Alpha Eta Chapter):

  • Current Chapter Polaris: Henry.
  • National Founding Date: September 19, 1963 ($09/19/1963$) at Morgan State College (currently Morgan State University).
  • Chapter Charter Date: August 13 (established as the first NPHC organization at UMB).
  • Five Pillars & Mission Statement: Development and perpetuation of scholarship, leadership, citizenship, fidelity, and brotherhood among men.
  • Fraternity Guiding Principle: "Building a tradition, not resting on one".

Greek Life Terminology and Culture

• Intake: The official selection and education process through which NPHC organizations select prospective candidates to attain membership.
• Informational: A formal chapter meeting held specifically for prospective students seeking detailed criteria regarding an organization's history, values, and membership application procedures.
• Discretion: The practice of maintaining confidentiality regarding personal intentions, prospective membership plans, and organizational aspirations without public disclosure.
• Crossing: The ceremonial induction process wherein prospective candidates officially transition into full membership within a culturally-based NPHC organization.
• Strolling: A synchronized line dance performed by members of Greek organizations, characterized by distinct choreography unique to each individual organization.

Membership Guidelines: Do's and Don'ts

• Recommended Practices (Do's):

  • Conduct Independent Research: Thoroughly examine official national websites, local chapter social media accounts, and attend open campus events to determine organizational fit.
  • Personal and Professional Development: Engage in community service, campus leadership, and extracurricular initiatives to demonstrate character, goal orientation, and passion.
  • Demonstrate Discretionary Interest: Express prospective interest through consistent attendance at public events and authentic relationship-building rather than overt verbal statements.

• Prohibited Practices (Don'ts):

  • Avoid Making Assumptions: Attending chapter events or completing initial outreach does not guarantee membership and should not be publicly assumed.
  • Avoid Stereotyping: Base organizational evaluations on core national values, missions, and principles rather than social media perceptions.
  • Refrain from Superficial Motivations: Membership extends beyond undergraduate social activities into lifelong involvement; prospective members should align with the core moral and service commitments.
  • Avoid Misrepresentation: Maintain professional demeanor, authenticity, and poise in all campus interactions.

Departmental Criteria and Membership Preparation

• Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life (DFSL) Requirements:

  • Cumulative Grade Point Average: A baseline standard of $2.5$ GPA is required by the institutional department. Individual organizations maintain national GPA thresholds that may exceed this baseline.
  • Student Status: Candidates must maintain full-time undergraduate enrollment.
  • Credit Hour Minimums: The institution has eliminated the previous $12$-credit hour minimum rule; candidates must reference individual national website criteria for specific credit eligibility.

• Personal Readiness and Preparation:

  • Establish a strong personal identity, value system, and moral foundation prior to joining to prevent organizational identity from superseding individual identity.
  • Engage with alumni and older generations of Black Greek-letter organizations to gain historical perspective and advice.
  • Prioritize academic achievement and institutional business before participating in social or performance aspects.

Community Service Projects and Case Studies

• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. ("Zeta for a Day"): A bi-annual program where young female students from local schools and youth auxiliary groups shadow undergraduate members on campus to receive academic and career mentorship.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. (Backpack Drive & Housing Development):
  • Annual collection and assembly of over $1,000$ school backpacks supplied to underserved local students.
  • Direct construction work with affordable housing non-profit organizations, including framing closets, finishing bathrooms, and completing home repairs for families in need.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. (School Meal & Supply Drives): Packing and distributing lunches and educational utensils directly to local public schools.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. (Lieutenant Collins Memorial Project): Collaborative inter-organizational construction of campus benches in honor of Lieutenant Collins.

Time Management and Leadership Strategies

• Handling Multiple Responsibilities:

  • Maintain organizational routines through calendar management platforms (e.g., Google Calendar).
  • Establish explicit personal limits and recognize when to decline non-essential obligations.
  • Engage chapter peers, fraternity brothers, and sorority sisters for direct operational support when workload limits are exceeded.

• Strategies for Underclassmen Engagement:

  • Initiate extracurricular pursuits early in academic careers (e.g., creating campus student groups such as bowling clubs).
  • Participate in established student advocacy bodies including the Black Student Union (BSU) Freshman Council and Black Honors Society.
  • Develop comfort with attending meetings independently and seeking out upperclassmen mentors.
  • Recognize that exploring an organization or club does not require an ongoing commitment if personal interests change.

Questions and Discussion

• Question: What is the most effective approach to demonstrate prospective interest while preserving discretion?

  • Response (Jody Adi, Spring 2024 Initiate, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Eta Epsilon Chapter): Perform detailed background research across chapter online platforms, manage personal calendar availability to consistently attend public events, and engage in genuine conversations during informal social gatherings such as NPHC joint recreational events or Black Student Union meetings.

• Question: What fundamental requirements should prospective members focus on?

  • Response (Elena Mangum, Spring 2025 Initiate, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Phi Chapter): Focus on academic excellence, maintain high grades in major coursework, and actively contribute to campus or local community service initiatives.

• Question: How should prospective students mentally and practically prepare for membership in Black Greek Life?

  • Response (Acer Lewis, NPHC Advisor and Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.): Firmly solidify personal self-identity and core motivations prior to seeking membership; seek wisdom from older alumni generations; exercise discernment against media stereotypes; and build authentic personal relationships within the community.

• Question: What specific community service initiatives have made the greatest impact?

  • Responses:
    • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.: Hosting local youth girls on campus for mentorship during the "Zeta for a Day" program.
    • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.: Assembling and donating over $1,000$ backpacks for regional students, as well as constructing affordable housing infrastructure.
    • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.: Packing and delivering school lunches and classroom supplies to local students.
    • Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.: Constructing memorial benches for the Lieutenant Collins foundation alongside NPHC peers.

• Question: How do active members successfully balance heavy academic schedules, job responsibilities, and leadership roles within Greek organizations?

  • Responses (Alana, Spring 2026 Initiate, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.; Madison Jones, Spring 2025 Initiate, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. & NPHC President): Cultivate strict time management habits before joining; utilize tools like Google Calendar; prioritize degree completion above extraneous activities; and actively communicate with chapter leadership to delegate or request help when overwhelmed.

• Question: What advice should underclassmen follow to build campus involvement?

  • Responses (Wade Dennis, Spring 2025 Initiate, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Jori Watson, Spring 2025 Initiate, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; Mimi, Spring 2025 Initiate, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.; Jeremiah Allen, Spring 2026 Initiate, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.): Embrace new opportunities immediately without fear; join organizations like the Black Student Union; develop comfort attending events independently; seek upperclassmen mentors; and remember that initial exploration carries no obligation to remain if the organization is not a good fit.