Did you know Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has Greeks? Who are they? What do they actually do? Don't they just pay for their friends? I heard they just party all the time; so, that's probably a waste of my money.

If you are not familiar with Greek life or you have been misinformed about Greek life due to stories from friends and/or relatives, wild movies or social media, you may believe some of the listed stereotypes to be true; however, I'm here to briefly provide an overview on what Greek life stands for at FGCU and how we contribute to our communities.

At FGCU we have organizations from each of the four Greek councils: the Panhellenic Association, the Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. Each council currently governs three to eight chapters which embody unique aspects of Greek life. Majority of the organizations on campus were founded on the general principles of brotherhood/sisterhood, scholastic achievement and service. Continue reading to learn more about each council.

Panhellenic Association

The National Panhellenic Conference was founded in 1902 in order to support what is now 26 women's sororities. The council serves as an advocate for each of the member organizations and currently is the voice for over 4 million collegiate women and alumnae. At FGCU the mission of the Panhellenic Association is to "...stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community..." The council currently has six member organization: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu and Zeta Tau Alpha; however, in the Fall of 2018, they will be expanding and adding a seventh sorority.

"Our six Panhellenic organizations are made up of amazing women who make an impact in all aspects of our campus. Panhellenic give you the opportunity to make connections that can help you grown and flourish during your college experience."

- Rebecca French, Panhellenic President

Interfraternity Council

Nationally, the North-American Interfrateritniy Conference (NIC) was founded in 1909 and currently represents 70 international men's fraternities. The NIC exist 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." At FGCU the Interfraternity Council "...prides itself on exhibiting and promoting the values of scholarship, leadership, service, social development, and moral character that constitute the premier fraternity man." The council currently governs eight organizations: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Phi Delta Theta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon. FGCU IFC is also in the process of expansion, and will be adding more organizations to the council soon.

"IFC exists to foster a Greek community with its focus to create better men in leadership, philanthropy, social and service aspects in college."

- Michael Nicola, Interfraternity Council President

National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), also know as "The Divine Nine" was founded on May 10, 1930 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., the birthplace of over half the council's organizations. NPHC governs nine historically-black Greek letter fraternities and sororities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta. The purpose of NPHC is to provide "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.” Although the council's organizations are considered historically-black, their membership has been and always will be open to men and women from diverse backgrounds. On campus we currently have five active member organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta.

"Although small, we are mighty. The NPHC organizations at FGCU are continuously growing, and as a council we strive to educate the community, both Greeks and non-Greeks, about our council's rich culture and traditions. As a council we are still developing our foundation on campus; so, my goal is to increase understanding of the Divine Nine in the FGCU community, which will hopefully lead to an increased awareness of our presence and purpose, and more partnerships with outside organizations."

-Sylmoneyvesta Hall, National Pan-Hellenic Council President

Multicultural Greek Council

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) was founded in 1998. Although NPHC and MGC are separate councils, MGC shares a similar history with NPHC, being that they both emerged during a time when African American and Latino populations lacked organizations which supported their collegiate experience; however, the founding of MGC organizations arose out of "the desire for organizations where members could embrace their culture and the culture of their friends and families." At FGCU, MGC "commits itself to academic excellence, leadership development, and service to the community enhanced by culturally diverse social fraternities and sororities. It promotes in all its endeavors, cultural awareness, bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, and unity amongst all." At FGCU there are currently three MGC organizations: Sigma Lambda Beta, Theta Nu Xi and Sigma Iota Alpha. The council is in the process of expansion and will be welcoming a new organization soon.

"MGC is an extremely diverse council. We strive to learn and teach amongst ourselves the different cultures there are in the world."

Jhonny Foronda, Multicultural Greek Council President

If you've made it this far, not only do I greatly appreciate you, I hope you've gained a decent understanding of what Greek life stands for at FGCU and the diversity in Greek life which is present. For more information about Greek life at FGCU or for the contact information for a particular organization, please visit this website.