|
African-American fraternities and sororities play growing role
in student life
As FIU's campus culture continues to evolve,
the UniversityFIU student spotlight African-American fraternities
and sororities play growing role in student life s FIU's campus
culture continues to evolve, the University's historically African-American
fraternities and sororities stand poised to grow with the University
through increased membership and a more visible presence on both
campuses.
We know that approximately 14 percent of the FIU student body is
of African descent," said Janice Givens, assistant director
of Multicultural Programs/Services and FIU faculty advisor to the
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) since 1996. (NPHC governs historically
African-American fraternities and sororities.) "Nationally,
there are nine affiliate organizations that comprise the NPHC. Seven
of those organizations are represented here at the University.
"Our challenge at FIU is to appeal to a student body that represents
an already diverse group within the African Diaspora," she
continued. "But we've been working hard to become more visible
on campus, and our goal this year is to increase our numbers."
That sentiment is echoed by FIU sophomore Phillip Calloway, vice
president of the Tau Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc. Tau Delta is a joint chapter comprised of students from FIU
and Florida Atlantic University.
"In addition to meeting our goals of community service, one
of our main priorities is to increase membership," said Calloway.
The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha received the go-ahead from national
headquarters to form the Tau Delta Chapter in 1997, but an inability
to meet minimum membership requirements hampered the fraternity's
efforts until last April, when the chapter was chartered and installed
its current officers. Now on firmer footing, Calloway said he and
his fellow fraternity members look forward to "having an effect
on somebody."
 |
| Tau Delta Chapter officers Hans Desir, secretary;
Phillip Calloway, vice president and treasurer; and Kirk Whitfield,
president, are anticipating increased enrollment for the FIU
chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. |
The chapter has gotten off
to a fast start this year, hosting a party at Gracie's Grill and
participating in a Step Show produced by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Calloway said he has also had preliminary discussions with an area
high school about hosting a visit of students to the FIU campus.
NPHC hosted a similar activity last year, bringing more than 30
students from Charles Drew Elementary School's Alpha Program to
FIU. Council members provided the students with information about
what it takes to attend college and provided a guided tour of the
campus and lunch.
"We called it 'College for a Day,'" explained Givens.
"It was very successful. It gave us a chance to expose the
children to college and the opportunities that await them if they
work hard and stay in school. With those types of activities, we're
able to meet our mission nationally for community service, as well
as raise the awareness in the FIU community of who we are and what
we stand for." NPHC has also established a mentoring partnership
with Bunche Park Head Start Program and is currently collecting
supplies for the Head Start program.
Additionally, the NPHC-affiliated fraternities and sororities have
been taking part in freshman orientation for the past two years,
and this year they also participated in Welcome Back Day activities.
Givens said this year NPHC will be working more closely with the
Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council on tri-council activities.
With a collective mission to promote scholarship, community service
and unite together as "brothers and sister," NPHC fraternities
and sororities such as Alpha Phi Alpha are assuming a greater role
in the continuing development of the University's student life.
|
|
