Greek Life

Auburn NPHC History

The Auburn National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded in 1998 by the men and women of Auburn’s NPHC-affiliated fraternities and sororities.   The Auburn NPHC strives to unite affiliated men and women at Auburn University through collaborative programming, educational initiatives, forums, and lasting friendships.  Auburn’s NPHC believes that by joining the men and women within their council, they can promote higher standards of scholarship, a greater degree of culture, closer social fellowship, and a stronger inter-fraternal spirit among affiliate members. Also, the Auburn NPHC affirms that they may promote activities and opportunities that are of mutual benefit to Auburn University and the Lee County community.

The member organizations of the Auburn NPHC, in founding order, are as follows: Sigma Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Kappa Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Theta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Kappa Chi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Omicron Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Gamma Xi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.,  Omicron Iota Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., and the Auburn Colony of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.

Quick Facts about the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s History

All nine affiliate organizations of the council are very rich in tradition.

• Unlike other councils, the National Pan-Hellenic Council includes both sororities and fraternities.
• The first black student at Auburn was Harold Alonzo Franklin in 1964. He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• The first black administrators were William B. Hill and Willie L. Strain in 1965. Willie Strain was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• The first black Miss Auburn was Vania Clemons in 1993. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• The first black chartered fraternity on the campus was Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in 1972.
• The first black-chartered sorority on the campus was Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in 1974.

Specific Language of the National Pan-Hellenic Council

The vocabulary that is used by all nine organizations is unique among other councils. The “language” of the NPHC sororities and fraternities can be confusing to non-members of the NPHC. Below are listed some terms that may be helpful when seeking membership into one of the NPHC organizations currently active on campus.

• “Yard”= Campus. Chapters who are officially recognized by the University and NPHC are referred to as being “on the yard.”
• “Aspirant” = a person seeking membership in an NPHC organization.
• “Line”= Pledge class. Example, Several aspirants may be referred to as being “on line” rather than pledging.
• “Cross”= Initiated. Example, At the end of the recruitment period after being evaluated by the organization the aspirant is seeking the new member then “crosses” over from a pledge to a new member.