Download Greek Life Why Do We Exist

Greek Life Why Do We Exist?
By Andre G. Early
College View
In 2006, the first of the nine National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations
will celebrate 100 years of existence. Contrary to the current perception of Greek
letter organizations, predominately African American fraternities and sororities
were founded to foster personal development. Success in academia was a must!
While six were founded at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, three
were founded at predominately majority institutions. Just imagine attending an
institution where you're not always welcomed, and you rarely see someone that
looks like you for days or weeks. Fraternities and sororities have meaning…Our
organizations create relationships between men and women of similar interests
and provide added spiritual and intellectual sustenance. Many members enjoy
networking, fellowshipping, or just the sense of belonging to an organization that
cares and is compassionate about the communities in which they serve.
Our organizations work to develop a sense of purpose, a sense of responsibility,
and a sense of judgment within the context of personal conscience. They assist
youth in choosing careers, ensuring continuing happiness and productivity to
themselves and families while contributing to social advancement.
Our organizations foster and supplement the principles that determine
meaningful family experience; principles of morality, ethics; commitment to
worthwhile community service; and respect for self and others.Our organizations
provide on-the-job training for undergraduate students in the art of leadership,
distinguished by recognition of responsibility, a sense of purpose, intellectual
competence, courage, character, and moral decency. NPHC organizations
create a reflective and perspective review of past achievements, preserving the
lasting good that was accomplished over the years that we have been in
existence, preparing to meet the demands of another day, and staying relevant to
the membership and society.
Our organizations integrate the objectives of the colleges/universities where we
exist. ALL Greek letter organizations exist in part to serve the purposes of higher
education. Active chapter programming in our fraternities and sororities must
emphasize the objectives of institutions of learning, which is primarily excellence
in scholarship. We plan and implement programs of leadership development,
financial aid awareness, student guidance, community service, group think, and
networking, just to name a few. One thing is certain—NPHC organizations can
do little to ensure good members, but good members can do much to ensure
good and meaningful NPHC organizations. With the never-ending debate
concerning pledging and hazing, which is against the law in many states, we
always question why students should join our organizations? The answer to that
question is within you; we just provide an outlet to better your college experience.
So whether you decide to be a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.,
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., or Iota Phi Theta
Fraternity, Inc., please keep in mind that these timeless organizations have
withstood the test of time because they all have a common purpose: to continue
to uplift the interests of the communities in which we serve—college, university,
and local.
André G. Early is the director of undergraduate and university affairs for Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.