FRATERNITIES & SORORITIES IN AMERICA

WHAT DO YOU KNOW

These organizations exist to build a sense of community while in college and beyond.

Greek letters are chosen to name
each organization, with the meaning of the letters known only to the members.

THE HISTORY

IN THE BEGINNING...

• 1776
• College of William and Mary
• Phi Beta Kappa fraternity

Fraternities were first founded to prepare students for societal life after college. Membership in an organization helped build a sense of community that complimented the college experience in the classroom.

ORGANIZATION

74 fraternities comprise IFC

NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE

• 1851
• Wesleyan Female College
• Alpha Delta Pi
• 26 sororities comprise NPC

Women's fraternities were founded when all-male universities began to admit women. Being the minority, women saw a need to band together.

NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL

• 1903
• Indiana University
• Alpha Kappa Nu
• Historically black fraternities and sororities
• "Divine Nine"

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National Multicultural Greek Organization

Focused on a variety of interests and topics such as service, social identities, ethnicity, or race but functioning with the same purpose & characteristics as previously founded fraternities & sororities.

11 chapters comprise NMGC

LOCAL & INDEPENDENT CHAPTERS

• Independent chapters are not affiliated with a national conference or council
• Local chapters are not affiliated with any other chapters
• Function similarly to other fraternities & sororities
• No requirements to follow policies other than those set by the institution

BENEFITS TODAY

• Values-based organizations
• Brotherhood/sisterhood
• Alumni Relations
• Academics
• Philanthropy & Service

STATISTICS

GRADUATION RATES

The all-Greek GPA is consistently higher than the overall collegiate GPA due the academic requirements and values of the organizations.

CHALLENGES

• Diversity education
• Critical-thinking skills
• Alcohol abuse
• Legal liability

BEST PRACTICES

• National organizations for advisors
• Accountability
• Allowing autonomy & self-governance
• Programming support
• Risk prevention

REFERENCES

• www.nicindy.org
• www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/student-life/greek/about/history
• www.students.case.edu/greek/manuals/advisors/faculty.html
• www.umkc.edu/getinvolved/fsa-national-statistics.asp
• www.youtube.com/thenic

REFERENCES

• www.youtube.com/npcwomen
• www.facebook.com/BGSUfraternityandsororitylife
• Whipple, E. G. and Sullivan, E. G. (1998) Greek letter organizations:
• Communities of learners? New Directions for Student Services, 1998: 7-17.

THANK YOU

Every US president and Vice President, except for two, since 1825 are members of fraternal organizations.

76% of US congress representatives and senators are in Greek organizations

80% of executives of the 500 largest companies in America are members of Greek organizations