WHAT IS THE NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL?
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at The University of Southern Mississippi currently consists of seven historically black Greek-letter fraternities and sororities. These fraternities and sororities include Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta sororities.

These organizations organize Black Greek Week for recruitment. They announce individually their membership selection/intake process during the semester. Each chapter explains their membership process at each of their initial interest meetings.

The NPHC council is designed to assure that member organizations cooperatively work together while maintaining their distinct individual identities. These organizations embrace a service oriented philosophy and aim to promote the continuance of social action, political involvement, and economic development.
 

MISSION STATEMENT
The National Pan-Hellenic Council shall serve as the official coordinating agent of the (8) constituent member Greek-letter fraternities and sororities in the furtherance of their national programs and to promote unity on college and university campuses and within the communities wherein graduate and/or alumni(ae) chapters are located.
 

HISTORY
The Black Greek-letter movement commenced in 1906 on a predominantly white college campus so that black students could have a meaningful cultural interaction and work together to render service to improve the conditions in their local communities. Over a 16-year period, 1906-1922, the eight affiliate NPHC organizations were formed.

Each of these organizations evolved during a period when blacks were being denied essential rights and services afforded others. These organizations were destined to foster growth of brotherhood and sisterhood and to serve as conduits by which action plans could be formulated and coordinated to address the problems of racism and sexism.

In 1930 it was recognized that there was a need to form an umbrella organization that would provide coordination of philosophies and activities. This umbrella group, which became known as the NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL, was formally organized in May 1930 at Howard University, Washington, DC. The charter members were: Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Fraternities, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities.

In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternities joined the Council; and in 1937, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority completed the list of organizations comprising the NPHC.

Early in 1937, the organization was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois and became known as "The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated."

These eight affiliate organizations have pledged to devote their collective resources and services in an effort to enhance communities throughout the nation and world. Despite the diversity inherent in the individual groups, the NPHC provides the forum and impetus for addressing issues of mutual concern. The organizations soon discovered that both nationally and locally the effect of their educational, social, and economic programs was greatly improved by uniting and coordinating efforts through the NPHC and the local councils.