Greek Life FAQs

North Carolina A&T has 2 Greek Councils:  The National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Greek Letter Council.

• The National Pan-Hellenic Council (also known as NPHC or the Divine 9) is comprised of the historically and predominately African American fraternities and sororities. NPHC governs these organizations internationally and on many other campuses including N.C. A&T.
• The Greek Letter Council consists of fraternities, sororities, and social fellowships whose Council is not represented here at N.C. A&T or that do not belong to an inter/national council. Each council, along with its member organizations, encourages student leadership, personal development, and high social and scholastic standards while maintaining inter/intra-fraternal relationships within the University community.

If you believe that life-long membership in an organization can enhance your educational experience by emphasizing intellectual, interpersonal, and social development, then a fraternity or sorority may be for you. All organizations strive for the ideals of brotherhood/sisterhood, a sound education, campus and community service, and social interaction. In determining the right organization for you, we encourage you to research not only the N.C. A&T chapter but also the inter/national organization via their website and other available resources. Look at the motto, mission statement, founding ideals/principles and the philanthropic involvement of the organization to determine if this is the organization to which you can align your life.

Please note that joining a fraternity or sorority is based on a mutual selection process. Students interested in Greek Life should understand that fraternities and sororities have the privilege of being selective and do not have to admit all applicants who apply for membership in their organizations.

We encourage you to visit the national/international websites for more information about each organization. You may also find it helpful to visit the websites of our local chapters. You can access the local chapters by searching the organization's name on the clubs and organizations page. You can access the national website by selecting the organization's name below.

 *Italicized groups are currently inactive

Effective July 1, 2016, there is a 45 new member limit for organizations participating in the membership intake process. The university reserves the right to grant approval to accept an additional 10% (5) over the maximum number.
Organizations that are in good standing but ineligible to conduct intake due to a national moratorium or other organizational mandate/directive are eligible to accept an additional 50% (making the total maximum new members 67) the first year and up to 100% (making the total number of new members 90) of the university limit if the involuntary restriction lasts two years or more when they are next eligible and approved to conduct intake.
Organizations that voluntarily opt-out of conducting intake while in good standing; or are/were under sanction from the university, their region, or the national headquarters, are ineligible to utilize the percentage increase. Organizations that did not have intake because they were NOT in good standing are unable to utilize the 50%/100% rule upon their reinstatement.

Chapters may however show extenuating circumstances that will be reviewed by the Office of Student Activities for approval to take the additional 50% without having to meet the moratorium requirement. That request must be made during the chapter’s intake petition meeting.

To be eligible for membership, the University requires that a student meet/exceed the following:

1. Passing/Successful completion of at least 12 credit hours at N.C. A&T during the fall semester. For those who were enrolled in a cooperative education/intern experience during the fall semester, a letter of verification must be submitted to the Office of Student Activities prior to application for membership to be eligible.
2. Have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 during the fall semester. Some organizations require a higher GPA for membership, therefore having a 2.5 does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for certain chapters.
3. Undergraduate students must be currently enrolled as a full-time student, being registered for at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester. Graduate students or students seeking an additional undergraduate degree are ineligible to participate in intake at N.C. A&T as they have already been awarded a degree and should seek membership in a Graduate or Alumni/Alumnae Chapter.
4. Be in good judicial standing with the University per the Office of the Dean of Students and have NO judicial, financial, or academic holds at the time of clearance/s.
5. Must have attended at least one mandatory information session for membership intake offered by Student Activities during the academic year they wish to seek membership in a fraternity or sorority.

NO, nor should it be! Fraternities and sororities were founded on strong moral, social, and academic principles. Hazing or any activity which subjects members to harassment, intimidation, physical exhaustion, or mental distress among other things is contrary to each organization’s founding principles. All chapters have a new member education program that is designed to teach new members the history, traditions, values, and expectations of their organization. Hazing has no place in these activities and the Office of Student Activities works closely with each local chapter and national organization to set/reinforce clear expectations for new member activities. This includes setting reasonable limits on time commitments, activities, and length of programs.

Hazing is against the law, and the University has a zero-tolerance policy concerning such. Rites and traditions vary from chapter to chapter; some are secret, but none should involve abuse of any kind. If you have concerns that hazing may be occurring, please contact the Office of Student Activities and speak with a staff member. If you would like to anonymously report a hazing incident, you can contact University Police on their anonymous tip line at 336-334-7879.

Active Member – an initiated, dues-paying member. 
Cross/Crossing/Crossed* – a term used to describe the point of the intake process when initiates officially become members. 
Intake – the official term used for the creation of new members. This term/process replaced the previous pledging process/activities for those interested in becoming members of Greek-letter organizations. The current guidelines and/or activities may include but are not limited to an informational or interest meeting, application process, interview, and a supervised educational process.
"Nalia" – Greek paraphernalia like shirts, license plates, jewelry, or anything with Greek letters on it (socks, keychains, lanyards, etc).
Neophyte* – a newly initiated member.
New Initiate/New Member Presentation – official presentation of new members who were recently accepted into the organization, sometimes also called a “coming out” or revealing. This is the first time when newly initiated members of each fraternity/sorority are revealed to the rest of campus.
On the Yard – pertaining to a fraternity/sorority’s active status on campus. 
Plots – a physical representation of the black Greek-letter community on the campus; they range in size and design and traditionally have consisted of a bench and landscaping representing the organization. 
Prophyte* – a member who has experienced at least one intake process other than their own as a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Rush – an organization’s formal interest meeting (not all organizations use this term).
Sands* – A word used to acknowledge members of other Greek-letter organizations or chapters who were initiated (crossed) during the same semester.
Stroll – an informal form of stepping also known as party hopping.

*Words marked with an asterisk (*) are phrases that are no longer associated with the membership intake process.