National Pan-Hel begins intake process

The National Pan-Hellenic Council began its annual process to recruit potential new members Tuesday.

Founded in 1930 at Howard University, the NPHC, or the Divine Nine as the organization is commonly referred to, is the Greek-letter governing council for historically African American fraternities and sororities.

At GW, there are four active NPHC chapters along with one inactive fraternity. The group has plans to bring another organization, the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, to campus by the end of this year or early next year, said Whitney West, NPHC president.

“The NPHC holds general events, in addition to individual chapter events for intake,” West said.

“Students who are interested in joining should attend these events or research information online or in books about the NPHC,” West said.

She recommended “Black Greek 101” and “The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities” for students who want to learn more.

West stressed that students should find chapters that suit their own interests and philanthropic goals, adding that “joining an NPHC chapter is a lifetime commitment.”

Typically, individual chapters hold their intake, or solicitation of new members, in the spring, though some chapters do accept new members in the fall.

“The NPHC offers opportunities to improve the GW, Washington, D.C. and African American communities,” West said. “We try to do any events that make our community better.”

According to West, such opportunities include educational programming, raising political awareness and community service projects including walks and fundraisers.

Last year, the NPHC inducted about 20 new members. West hopes that more members will join this year.

“It looks like a good year for us to grow, and work on getting all nine NPHC organizations on campus.”

While the NPHC chapters have typically been made up of African American students, West said that, “all students are encouraged to come out for our events or join. There are people of all ethnicities in our various chapters.”

Last week the Pan-Hellenic Association completed its recruitment process with 219 women receiving bids for one of their eight sororities.

The Interfraternity Council began its recruitment process Monday, which will last through next week. The Multicultural Greek Council has not yet begun its recruitment process.