By Maggie Thornton Cavalier Daily Associate Editor The word "fraternity" typically brings many images to mind -- girls on Rugby Road wearing stiletto heels in January, pastel popped colors, fraternity parties that last all weekend. Historically black Greek letter organizations, however, demonstrate another aspect of Greek life on Grounds.
Last semester, the seven historically black fraternities and sororities at the University became united under the National Pan-Hellenic Council -- a national umbrella organization for historically black Greek letter organizations. University black fraternity presidents said being part of a uniform national council has made a world of difference to their organizations.
"Establishing a structure that all of our organizations can live by has been extremely helpful," said Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, NPHC president and president of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
With this recent step toward greater recognition and a greater role at the University, members still remain concerned about the future.
Agbeshie-Noye said the University has seen recent results of the unification of all historically black organizations.
In February, all the historically black fraternities at the University collaborated for the first time in University history. "We all performed in the Step it Up show, [which] is a CIO that does stepping and they had a black history celebration," Agbeshie-Noye said. "We as a council had to perform in that show and so every chapter sent in a representative and we collaborated and came up with a show to express our history."
Agbeshie-Noye said this will go down in University NHPC history.
"This was special because it was the first time that we had all gotten together and done a performance, rather than each organization doing its own thing," Agbeshie-Noye added.
He said there would definitely be more collaboration in the future.
Bands of Brothers (and Sisters)
The NPHC consists of University Greek organizations Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. does not currently have an active chapter at the University, but has in the past, according to Ragan Collins, NPHC vice president for administration.
Collins is also vice president and treasurer of her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta.
According to Collins, the eight historically black fraternities and sororities at the University were part of the Inter-Fraternity and Inter-Sorority Councils until 1997, when the organizations broke apart to form the Black Fraternal Council. After research last year, the BFC voted to apply for membership in NPHC. After notifying the NPHC and sending in paperwork and dues, the organization was granted its charter in September 2005.
"We decided this would be the best thing because of structure and the association with the name would help us attract speakers," Collins said of the switch to NPHC. "It's just a nice thing to be attached to."
Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is a member of the Inter-Fraternity Council as well as the NPHC.
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