FAQ's
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: Do your chapters haze their members?
A: Hazing is not permitted or tolerated at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as well as the National Panhellenic Conference.

Hazing is perhaps the biggest shame of the American fraternity and sorority system. At UIUC, we work diligently to make sure that the fraternity and sorority experience is a safe and positive one for our students.

For all fraternities and Sororities at UIUC, the new member period is to be an orientation to the organization. You will learn about the history and traditions of your chapter, as well as get to know the members of the chapter.

Hazing is a violation of Illinois State Law and the UIUC Code of Conduct, as well as the policies of the Greek governing councils and each of the member fraternities and sororities inter/nationally.

"Hazing" means any activity undertaken or situation created, by any individual, group of individuals or organization, in which individuals are voluntarily or involuntarily subjected to activities that have the potential to harass, intimidate, impart pain, humiliate, invite ridicule or, cause undue mental or physical fatigue or distress, or to cause mutilation, laceration, or bodily injury. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, paddling in any form, physical or psychological shocks, late work sessions that interfere with scholastic activities, advocating or promoting alcohol or substance abuse, tests of endurance, submission of members or prospective members to potentially dangerous or hazardous circumstances or activities which have a foreseeable potential for resulting in personal injury, or any activity which by its nature may have a potential to cause mental distress, panic, human degradation, or embarrassment.

We are strongly against this act and it truly is not a problem among the Panhellenic sororities at UIUC.

Board of Sorority Affairs Policy on Hazing
 
Q: I hear a lot of bad rumors about sororities. To what types of standards do you hold your members?
A: Each of the twenty-six women's fraternities in the National Panhellenic
Conference is a values-based organization committed to the personal growth and development of its members. Each has a values document and accompanying standards of its own and a process by which it holds its chapters accountable. By virtue of membership in the National Panhellenic Conference, the values and standards are shared by the member groups and have been incorporated into the NPC standards document that accompanies this position paper. The Conference believes in the values expressed by the Franklin Square Presidents in their Call for Values Congruence. Traditionally, NPC member women's fraternities have high expectations and hold their chapters to higher standards than those articulated in campus documents. NPC groups are committed to accountability and have a proven record of response. The commitment and structure of the twenty-six women's fraternities and of the National Panhellenic Conference provide a proven process of self assessment already in place to hold the twenty-six member groups and their chapters accountable.

At UIUC, 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.