Q: How did the National Panhellenic Conference begin?
A: Early histories of women's fraternities contain accounts of "rushing and pledging agreements" or "compacts" among fraternities on various campuses, and also many stories of cooperation and mutual assistance. However, no actual Panhellenic organization existed and no uniform practices were observed. By 1902, it was obvious that some standards were needed, so Alpha Phi invited Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Chi Omega and Chi Omega to a conference in Chicago on May 24. Alpha Chi Omega and Chi Omega were unable to attend. The remaining seven groups met and the session resulted in the organization of the first interfraternity association and the first intergroup organization on college campuses. (National Interfraternity Conference for men's fraternities was organized in 1909, now called the North-American Interfraternity Conference). This meeting, and the next few, resulted in several mutual agreements, especially regarding pledging. Up to this time, no guidelines had been set, and women could be pledged to groups before enrolling in college and, indeed, even belong to more than one group. The fact that NPC is a "Conference" is significant to the NPC philosophy because the organization is a conference, not a congress. It enacts no legislation except for the conduct of its own meetings. Other than the basic UNANIMOUS AGREEMENTS which all groups have voted to observe, NPC confines itself to recommendations and advice, and acts as a court of final appeal in any College Panhellenic difficulty. One of its greatest services is providing Area Advisors for College Panhellenics and Alumnae Panhellenics.
Q: Is hazing a concern for sororities on your campus?
A: The University of Louisville, the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council have a zero tolerance policy with regard to hazing. No member is allowed to take part in any form of hazing as a new or current member of his or her chapter. Hazing also is against the state law of Kentucky. Additional information, including the state law against hazing, can be found at: www.stophazing.org. Students who feel they are being subjected to hazing are urged to speak up immediately.
Q: What about the negative stereotypes of Greek life that I've heard?
A: Nobody likes stereotypes, and over the years, Greek women and men have been caricatured, lampooned, and portrayed in an unflattering manner by movies and television. This is not to say that members of the Greek community have not committed heinous offenses against their peers; they have. Yet, when the number of students committing these acts is viewed in the context of the American Fraternal system, they represent less than one-one-hundredth of one percent of the total membership. The media does not play up the positive values of Greek groups because they do not perceive these values to have "entertainment value," but those ideals are very characteristic of Greek life. At the University of Louisville, we hold ourselves to the utmost highest standards. We are proud of our image and our accomplishments. We are strongly against any form of hazing, and we promote only positive programming. No chapter funds may be put towards any alcohol, drug, or negative substances. And we are constantly at work to make sure every woman is treated with the absolute respect and mutual understanding of her peers.