Greek Life rich in history and tradition

Although separated, Greek councils collaborate for some events.

By Kaylen Ralph

Published Nov. 13, 2009

When it comes to race, the Greek councils at MU have separation lines nearly as defined as those present almost 60 years ago.

As opposed to that time in history, there is nothing legally separating these councils anymore, except deep-set tradition and the inclination of people to go with what they know.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is composed of various chapters traditionally known as minority organizations. The Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils are mostly majority organizations. The Multicultural Greek Council is the smallest of the councils, and the demographics change every semester.

Senior Daryl Kirkland-Morgan, a member of the NPHC sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, said among all members of Greek Life, there are certain values revered by all.

"For all of us, sisterhood or brotherhood, scholarship and community service are important pillars of Greek life," Kirkland-Morgan said.

When it comes to choosing which council to join, many choose to go with the familiar.

MGC President Chantee Smith said: "I think that it definitely has to do with your parents, your siblings, your friends. If a bunch of your friends are going to join a certain organization, then you might want to do the same."

Because the traditions of the NPHC are rooted in the history of African-American people, the respect for history greatly affects membership.

Those choosing to join a group where they look different is often met with confusion.

NPHC President Derrick Christian said: "Color is the first thing you can quickly identify outside of gender. So it's like if you see the majority of minorities over here, and then a few minorities over there, then you naturally question what they're doing because it looks different."

Christian said familial pressure was the most apparent pressure felt by black students who are considering Greek Life.

"The family pressure is definitely the biggest one, because NPHC members are so tied to our organizations during college years and post-college years, it's still so relevant in our lives," Christian said.

That philosophy is similar to senior Darryl Kirkland-Morgan and her family's legacy within the NPHC sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, of which both her mother and grandmother were members. She said AKA is special to her because of her race and history.

"My grandmother and mother were both AKA, so it was important to me to continue in their legacy," Kirkland-Morgan said.

Kirkland-Morgan's mother, Michelle Morgan, said she became a more active alumna since her daughter joined AKA at MU. She was happy with Daryl's decision to be an AKA rather than a member of a PHA sorority.

Tensions can arise if students don't wish to continue a legacy. Sophomore Joya Tyler experienced that problem when she began considering PHA. Her mother and aunts were all members of AKA.

"My mom and aunts didn't have the option, they couldn't even consider joining PHA," Tyler said. "They would see me choosing PHA as going against something that is historically important to my family." She said PHA is the kind of environment she is used to and comes naturally to her.

"Growing up I knew my mom wanted me to be in NPHC. It's the nature versus nurture debate," Tyler said. "I have friends in NPHC and they seem to really enjoy it as well. I guess it's sort of like a personality clash between me and NPHC."

Tyler struggled with the decision and chose to fulfill her own wishes.

"I feel like people misconstrue your actions," Tyler said. "I don't have a problem with NPHC, it's just that my preferences lie with PHA."

Tyler's mother told her she would not pay her sorority dues if she joins a PHA house.

"It's like when you're Greek you have a Greek appreciation," Christian said. "When I get older and have kids, I want my son to be a Kappa, but if in his heart he wants to be a member of say Omega Psi Phi, that's not what I wanted for him, but that's great because he's a member of the Greek community, and if he's a member of NPHC, even better."

For minorities coming from families in which there is no history of involvement in the Greek system, this pressure is sometimes non-existent.

Sophomore Adrienne Hoffman's father was not a member of any fraternal organization, and her mother was involved with NPHC in Germany, so she had no local legacy to uphold.

"I got no pressure whatsoever," Hoffman said. "My family kind of assumed I wouldn't do it. I was an athlete, not really the girly girl, so it just never really came up."

She said her decision to join a PHA organization was met with surprise from her parents only because she had not expressed any interest in Greek Life prior to her decision to join.

Membership in a PHA organization does not necessarily limit experiences to only those within the specific group.

The small number of NPHC and MGC houses compared to PHA and IFC houses makes it difficult to collaborate on some activities together.

"We participate as much as possible," Christian said. "It's open communication on both sides. They want us to participate, and we want to participate. It's just hard to put that into action. If the desire wasn't there, then it would be a problem, but as it is, it's more just a matter of consequence."

PHA President Caroline Vastyan said she does not see the separation between the councils as an issue because they enjoy participating in activities together when possible. She said differences in size and intake processes can pose challenges.

"It is sometimes hard for our programs to be beneficial to all members, but when it is possible, we do it," Vastyan said. "For instance, since our intake processes are different, we don't do programs, such as Greek 2 Greek, together, but we still do programs such as Greek Service Day together."

With racial segregation laws a thing of the past, the question of whether the separate councils are still necessary can be raised.

"I personally believe Greek Life should just be open to whoever fits the mission statement of a sorority, not just who fits the physical appearance," Tyler said.

Combining the separate councils could diminish the importance of the NPHC council's historical background, Christian said.

"I would like to see more diversity in both, but I always like to see the traditions upheld," Kirkland-Morgan said of the majority and minority councils.

Additionally, there is some concern among minorities about whether they would be considered on a color-blind basis.

"I wouldn't say it was discouraged, but I think for the most part any time that there's an organization where the faces don't look like you, it's not the first choice one would make," Kirkland-Morgan said. "I've been in PHA houses and they're very nice, but there's no one there that looks likes me."