Greek Organizations
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The Greek Organizations at American University are coordinated by the Coordinator in Greek Life in the Dean of Students Office and operate under four umbrella councils: Panhellenic Association (PHA), Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and future Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).
The National Panhellenic Conference is the national organization for the Panhellenic Association. It exists to promote the values of and to serve as an advocate for its member groups in collaboration with those members, campuses and communities. The National Panhellenic Conference provides support and guidance for its 26 member inter/national sororities/women’s fraternities and serves as the national voice on contemporary issues of sorority life. Founded in 1902, NPC is one of the oldest and largest women’s membership organizations representing more than 4 million women at 655 college/university campuses and 4,500 local alumnae chapters in the U.S. and Canada. Each year, NPC-affiliated collegians and alumnae donate more than $5 million to worthy causes, provide $2.8 million in scholarships to women and volunteer 500,000 hours in their communities.
The NPC organizations recognized on American University's campus are: Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Epsilon Phi, Delta Gamma, Sigma Delta Tau, Chi Omega, Phi Mu, and Phi Sigma Sigma.
The National Pan-Hellenic Conference promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions. The stated purpose and mission of the organization in 1930 was "Unanimity of thought and action as far as possible in the conduct of Greek letter collegiate fraternities and sororities, and to consider problems of mutual interest to its member organizations." 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."
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) at American University recognizes the following International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions.
The North American Interfraternity Conference serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience; advancement and growth of the fraternity community; and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions. The NIC is also committed to enhancing the benefits of fraternity membership. Today, the NIC has 73 member organizations with approximately 5,500 chapters located on 800+ campuses in the United States and Canada with approximately 350,000 undergraduate members. The NIC is led by a Board of Directors comprised of nine volunteers from member fraternities. The headquarters and professional staff are located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The NIC organizations recognized by American University are: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, Phi Sigma Kappa, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Tau Kappa Epsilon (colony).
The Multicultural Greek Council will represent three national organizations which are currently recognized by American University: Alpha Nu Omega, Inc., Lambda Pi Chi, Inc., and LUNA (Asian Sorority Interest Group).
In addition to our traditional Greek organizations, the Greek Life Office supervises two honor societies: Alpha Lambda Delta and Golden Key. These organizations invite and accept members based on their academic performance. For more information, please see their websites or visit the Student Activities Office.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This site contains a listing of recognized American University sororities. STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED FROM AFFILIATING WITH SORORITIES or FRATERNITIES NOT RECOGNIZED by American University. Greek Organizations typically fail to gain university recognition by choosing not to adhere to their governing body's expansion policies and typically lose university recognition due to compromises to University and/or National Organization alcohol and/or hazing policies.
