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Greek life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

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Main article: University of Massachusetts Amherst
TypeFraternities
Sororities
HeadquartersAmherst, Massachusetts
Location
Director
Michael Wiseman
WebsiteOfficial site

University of Massachusetts Greek life consists of the collegiate Fraternities and Sororities [1] in the surrounding area of the University of Massachusetts Amherst[2] in Amherst,Massachusetts[3]. Greek life began in 1868, with the establishment of a German fraternity on school grounds named D.G.K (Pronounced “day-gay-kah”). Since then, a number of fraternities, sororities, professional organizations[4], service fraternities[5], and cultural interest organizations[6] have been founded on campus. The Greek system at UMass is almost as old as the school itself, and has deep roots in its history[7].

Social fraternities and sororities contribute to about 8% of the student body, with additional students involved in professional, service, and multi-cultural fraternities[8]. Many fraternities and sororities own zoned houses, meaning members may live in the house. The majority of these houses are located on North Pleasant Street and Phillips Street. Greek life at UMass is governed by five different Greek councils: the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Multicultural Greek Council, and the Order of Omega. These councils are overseen by the Office of Fraternities and Sororities[9].

History

Greek life at UMass began a mere five years after the school was established in 1868. Then known as the Massachusetts Agricultural College[10], three local fraternities formed due to the need for organizations of comradeship for its predominantly male student body. As the school grew throughout the 20th century, did Greek life as well. UMass fraternities and sororities were revered highly for decades, reaching national prominence in the 1950’s. Over the next 50 years, several problems arose that posed a great risk to Greek life at UMass. However, fraternities and sororities on campus continue to thrive, and are still moving forward as the 21st century progresses.

Housing

The following organizations currently have lettered houses:

Sororities: Iota Gamma Upsilon, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Kappa, Chi Omega

Fraternities: Alpha Tau Gamma, Theta Chi, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Sigma Kappa

Governance of Greek Organizations

University Recognition

In order to be recognized as a chapter at the university, either a group of students or a national organization must establish an interest group. Interest groups are represented by students wishing to become members of a national fraternity or sorority despite the absence of a chapter at the school or form an independent organization. This group must petition for establishment from one of the Greek councils, and if they are voted in, they will establish a “colony” at the school. This colony undergoes a probationary period in which they aren’t recognized by the national organization, but receive guidance from an advisor. If the national fraternity or sorority feels that the colony meets its goals and prospers on campus, they may be chartered and become an official chapter at UMass, and its members will be initiated. Colonies typically are allowed to sit in on Greek council meetings. However, they will likely be given less votes than full chapters until they receive their charter[11].

Greek Councils (http://www.umass.edu/greek/Councils/)

Several Greek councils oversee the functions of UMass fraternities and sororities. The majority of Greek organizations are members of a Greek council, with a few being independent, like coeducational fraternities, professional fraternities, and honor societies. Students may not join more than one social fraternity or sorority, both at the university and typically at any other schools. However, one may join one of the three groups independent of a Greek council in addition to a social Greek group. The Greek councils recognized by the University of Massachusetts – Amherst are as follows:

  • The Interfraternity Council, or IFC, is the governing body of the 16 UMass fraternities affiliated with the North-American Interfraternity Conference[12]. The governing board is elected by brothers of the member fraternities[13].
  • The Panhellenic Council is the governing board of the 7 UMass social sororities. 7 representatives are elected each calendar year, with one sister from each chapter[14].
  • The National Pan-Hellenic Council[15], also known as the NPHC, exists at UMass to unite the traditionally black fraternities and sororities on campus. There are nine of these such organizations, and they are referred to as the “Divine 9[16]” .
  • The Multicultural Greek Council, or the MGC, was created to “specifically serve the needs and interests of specific multicultural-based communities.” The council represents 6 national organizations and 1 local organization, and is represented by the National Multi-Cultural Greek Council[17].
  • The Order of Omega[18] is UMass’ honor society for outstanding fraternity and sorority scholars and leaders. Members of this group meet the requirements of being a Junior or Senior, having a minimum GPA of 3.2, and being an active member and in good standing with his/her Greek organization.

In addition to these four groups, several other honor, professional, and community activism based organizations exist at the university, despite not being represented by a Greek council.

Honorary organizations and secret societies

List of chapters

Sororities

The following groups are members of the Panhellenic Council (NPC).[19]

Fraternities

The following groups are members of the Interfraternity Council (IFC).[20]

Historically African-American sororities and fraternities

The following groups[21] are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Fraternities

Sororities

Other fraternities and sororities

The following groups are members of the Multicultural Greek Council.[22]

Inactive organizations

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "Fraternities and sororities". Wikipedia. 12 July 2017.
  2. ^ "University of Massachusetts Amherst". Wikipedia. 7 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Amherst, Massachusetts". Wikipedia. 5 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Professional fraternities and sororities". Wikipedia. 7 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Service fraternities and sororities". Wikipedia. 29 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Cultural interest fraternities and sororities". Wikipedia. 12 June 2017.
  7. ^ Baird, William Raimond (1898). American College Fraternities. J.B. Lippincott & Company.
  8. ^ http://www.umass.edu/greek/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ http://www.umass.edu/greek/Councils/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ "University of Massachusetts Amherst". Wikipedia. 7 July 2017.
  11. ^ http://www.umass.edu/greek/Greek_Dictionary/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ "North-American Interfraternity Conference". Wikipedia. 13 July 2017.
  13. ^ http://www.umass.edu/greek/IFC/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ http://www.umass.edu/greek/NPC/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ "National Pan-Hellenic Council". Wikipedia. 13 July 2017.
  16. ^ http://www.umass.edu/greek/MGC/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ "National Multicultural Greek Council". Wikipedia. 1 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Order of Omega". Wikipedia. 13 June 2017.
  19. ^ www.gravityswitch.com, Gravity Switch, Inc -. "UMass Amherst: Office of Fraternities and Sororities - Panhellenic Council". www.umass.edu. Retrieved 2016-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ www.gravityswitch.com, Gravity Switch, Inc -. "UMass Amherst: Office of Fraternities and Sororities - Interfraternity Council". www.umass.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ www.gravityswitch.com, Gravity Switch, Inc -. "UMass Amherst: Office of Fraternities and Sororities - National Pan-Hellenic Council". www.umass.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ www.gravityswitch.com, Gravity Switch, Inc -. "UMass Amherst: Office of Fraternities and Sororities - Our Chapters". www.umass.edu. Retrieved 2016-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  • <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=8f4BAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA304&lpg=PA304&dq=dgk+fraternity&source=bl&ots=0o-fQBCKH3&sig=ZqULp_cpsYKDf7oHNyAdAK1SOYY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiuqaPg39bJAhWG1x4KHdBFBL8Q6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=dgk%20fraternity&f=false">https://books.google.com/books?id=8f4BAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA304&lpg=PA304&dq=dgk+fraternity&source=bl&ots=0o-fQBCKH3&sig=ZqULp_cpsYKDf7oHNyAdAK1SOYY&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiuqaPg39bJAhWG1x4KHdBFBL8Q6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=dgk%20fraternity&f=false</a>
  • <a href="http://www.umass.edu/greek/">http://www.umass.edu/greek/</a>
  • <a href="http://www.umass.edu/greek/Councils/">http://www.umass.edu/greek/Councils/</a>
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