Latest news with #NPHC
CBS News
14-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
University of Maryland releases reform plan for Greek life after hazing investigation
The University of Maryland, College Park has released a comprehensive plan to transform fraternity and sorority life on campus following serious hazing allegations that led to the suspension of Greek activities last year. In March 2024, the university began investigating allegations of life-threatening hazing and alcohol abuse at fraternities and sororities on the College Park campus. The allegations included students being burned and assaulted, and several taken to hospitals for alcohol poisoning. UMD suspended all social activities involving alcohol and new member recruitment for 21 fraternities and 16 sororities during the investigation. What the new plan includes The 16-page "Fraternity and Sorority Life Transformation Initiative" report, published May 7, outlines nine broad recommendations developed by three working groups that formed after interviews with more than 175 students. "The goal of this transformation initiative is to promote a greater sense of belonging, success, and support for fraternity and sorority members at the University of Maryland," according to Devin Walker, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, who is quoted in the report. The report says that policies should be "applied equitably, not uniformly," in order to recognize the different histories and operational styles of the university's 58 chapters across four councils. For historically Black fraternities and sororities in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), recommendations include eliminating minimum chapter size requirements, hiring a full-time staff member dedicated to NPHC, and creating a physical monument or plaza on campus to honor NPHC history. For the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), the plan calls for updating policies that recognize smaller chapter sizes, increasing staff cultural competency, and improving access to campus spaces. How progress will be tracked The report establishes a two-level implementation process that will begin in June 2025. The Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life staff will hold weekly meetings focused solely on implementation, with council advisors leading conversations about their respective organizations. An Implementation Advisory Team with representatives from multiple university departments will provide oversight, with the DFSL director sharing monthly updates to ensure recommendations are being properly tracked on a dashboard. "Through collective effort and shared responsibility, we can build a future where all chapters and councils thrive, individually and together," the report says.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Baylor NPHC Aims to Continue Serving Waco Community
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) — The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an organization made up of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, has a mission of community service that stretches across the globe. Founded on May 10, 1930, NPHC's member organizations now have thousands of chapters worldwide, working together to empower and uplift communities. At Baylor University, the NPHC has made a significant impact on campus since its establishment on May 9, 1994. Over the years, the NPHC has become a vital resource for minority students at Baylor, creating a safe space where they can connect, thrive, and feel a sense of belonging. For students like G'Anna Ezell, a member of the NPHC, the council provides an essential platform for visibility and outreach. 'Here at Baylor, we are underrepresented at times, and so having things like the NPHC Garden or having events with NPHC, it shines a light on us and shows other people that don't really know about NPHC, what we do for the community and what we do specifically on our campus as well,' Ezell said. The Baylor NPHC actively hosts a variety of events, initiatives, and programs, including step shows, scholarships, and community service projects that serve both the Baylor campus and the larger Waco community. These initiatives aim not only to enhance the college experience but to also provide meaningful opportunities for leadership and service. Meagan Hayes, another member of the NPHC, shared her motivation for joining: 'Coming to Baylor, I kind of knew what kind of woman I wanted to be in the future. I just wanted to be more hardworking. I knew I had a servant's heart and that's why I wanted to join.' Kenneth Ellis II highlighted the sense of brotherhood that his organization, within the NPHC fosters. 'The Brotherhood, just being around like-minded people like yourself, wanting to just achieve and accomplish anything that you can. And having people to lean on, that just means a lot to me,' Ellis said. Joel Young, the president of Baylor's NPHC, emphasized the council's commitment to both service and support. 'We do a lot of community service, not only service, but we also do great events preparing you for the professional world. We also like to have fun. We like to do hump nights just to gather everybody when they're stressed with their tests. So we just like to be there for people when they're falling down.' The work of the NPHC at Baylor extends far beyond graduation. G'Anna Ezell highlighted how the council's impact persists long after students leave campus. 'All of our events, all of our thrust and philanthropic things that we do, they don't stop just because we graduate college. There are people that need help all around the world, all around our communities,' Ezell said. The Baylor and Waco NPHC chapters continue to serve as key resources for students and alumni alike, strengthening community ties and fostering connections for like-minded individuals. As the organization celebrates its legacy, it remains committed to uplifting communities, providing support, and creating lasting connections within the Baylor and Waco communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 'Divine 9': Chicago's Black Greek organizations rally to support those in need
The Brief Chicago's Divine 9, a group of Black fraternities and sororities, is dedicated to community service, from clothing drives to mentorship programs. They are currently collecting winter gear for The Salvation Army while also engaging in food drives, blood donations, and civic initiatives. Their impact extends beyond Chicago, partnering with national organizations like the American Red Cross and March of Dimes to support those in need. CHICAGO - There are a lot of movers and shakers in Chicago working to make our neighborhoods better. While we recognize many of their names right away, there are a few that not all of us know. In a Fox 32 Black History Monthspecial report, Dawn Hasbrouck introduces us to one of those groups. What we know Together, a group of Black sororities and fraternities make up what's called the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) of Chicago. They are also known as the "Divine 9." For decades, they have been combining their resources and manpower to make Chicago a better place. One of their current projects is collecting hats, coats and gloves for The Salvation Army so they can be given to those in need this winter. What they're saying "A lot of people look for us," said Renee Byrd, vice president of the NPHC of Chicago. "They want to partner with us. They know our impact." "Part of all of our goals is to service individuals, and communities and families," said NPHC of Chicago president Reginald Summerrise. Summerrise said service was a big part of each organization's original mission, especially in Black communities that did not have access to a lot of resources, which is why he said working with Cook County to be a part of the national U.S. Census campaign a few years was so important. "We had billboards throughout African American and people of color communities. And we were going door-to-door setting up census rallies and registering people, giving out information throughout Cook County, all spearheaded by NPHCC," Summerrise said. "One of the most impactful things we can do to help is make sure the census is being correctly tallied in our communities," Summerise said. Why you should care When it's not census time, the Divine 9 turn their attention to more immediate needs in our neighborhoods, like blood drives. "We also are big on feeding those that are in food deserts, those that are less fortunate," Byrd said. They spend hours volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository helping pack up food donations so they can be distributed to the community, no matter the need for service. "We have people that will call us and say 'We need this done. Can the Divine 9 come and help us?'," Byrd said. The Divine 9 seem to be ready to try and answer the call. "We have individual partnerships with some big entities. March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, and American Red Cross. They know our work and that's across the nation," Byrd said. "We have members that are attorneys, judges. We have members that are masons, carpenters, HVAC repair, teachers from all across the board. What makes us so powerful is we have access to these individuals if we need their assistance," Summerise said. What's next There was a lot of interest in Black sororities last year when Kamala Harris became a candidate for president. Despite that time in the spotlight, both Byrd and Summerise said most people still don't really know much about the Divine 9. Other Black Greeks who also made their mark in history include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his wife Coretta and former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. "It is this world that if it's opened up and really looked into people will say 'Wow, they got representation of everything possible that every community would need,'" Summerrise said. Mentoring teens and young adults is also a big focus for the Divine 9. The Source
