JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—While plans for the upcoming recruitment season are in the works, leaders of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at the University of North Florida say they’re working to combat stereotypes in connection with the organizations. 

 

NyAsia Shaw, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and secretary of office for the Gamma Sigma chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, says chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at UNF are falsely stereotyped

 

“For example--Alpha Kappa Alphas are known for being prissy. Delta Sigma Thetas – rude,” Shaw said. “Omega Psi Phi -- nasty dogs and Zeta Phi Beta – fat.” 

 

Shaw referenced four chapters of 28 sororities and fraternities that make up the 11 percent of UNF’s Greek community when arguing the perceived stigmas aren’t true. 

 

She says the associated stigmas are perceptions of different Greek chapters and organizations from other campuses. The foundation of the NPHC is to cohesively consider, within its guidelines, common issues shared among corresponding organizations, according to its website nphchq.org.

 

In 2017, a voluntary motion to suspend alcohol from Greek events went into effect and lasted into 2018, according to a report by the Florida Times-Union. Council presidents of each individual organization collectively initiated the movement following a death in the Greek community at the University of Florida.

 

Valeria Rodriguez, a resident assistant for UNF’s housing, says the Multicultural Greek Council aims to bridge any gaps from stereotyping. According to Rodriguez, multiple freshmen say the size of the Multicultural Greek community is smaller and more personal for members and unity of the Greek organization.

 

Shaw believes being a part of the organization is beneficial to students, and others may be able to see the positive effects if they take time to understand why people choose to be involved in them.

“We’re all [Greek affiliates] trying to achieve the same thing, but our lack of knowledge about one another creates differences. We need to get to know one another,” Shaw said.

 

Shaw encourages anyone interested in joining Greek life to reach out to individual chapters and learn more about their mission and members.

 

For questions or more information about UNF’s Greek life, visit UNF.edu/fraternity-sorority.

 

 

 

Written by: Jessica Volz