National Pan-Helenic Council recruitment numbers rise, SHSU membership falls

Over the last few years, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) has had an increase in new memberships; an increase that has not touched the chapter at Sam Houston State University.

The NPHC has confirmed that there are now around 1.5 million members nationwide and claims their success is the "core values and beliefs that allow [them] to align with the organizations who want to uphold [their] convictions."

Recruitments at SHSU have been dwindling. Jerrell Sherman assistant dean of students for Greek Life, believes it is because of many reasons that can affect almost any potential member.

According to Sherman, one of the biggest factors is that instead of having all nine member organizations that are a part of the NPCH, SHSU has only six. Sherman explained that even though two of the chapters are not prominent in the South, it still really hurts the chapter to have three member organizations missing.

Another component in the low recruitment numbers is that NPHC has higher standards for their members than most other fraternities and sororities. NPHC’s website listed how their expectations differed from other organizations, emphasizing that the council wants much more for their members than the traditional Greek life experience.

"While NPHC affiliate organizations recognize the social aspect of Greek college life," an NPHC representative said." The primary purpose and focus of member organizations remains community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities."

Sherman also stressed that the SHSU chapter believes in quality and explained that they want well-rounded students, not just the minimum requirements met.

"We are very selective and only allow a certain number of people to join per year." Sherman said. "If you can’t sell yourself as the best candidate to make our organization better, then we will find someone who can."

Even though new recruitments have slowed down, Sherman is confident that it should not affect the chapter too greatly.

"With the economy the way it has been the last few years, joining NPHC is a financial requirement that some people just cannot afford." Sherman said. "I am hoping that things will pick back up when people are more able to commit financially and commit their time."

Jasean Slusher, president of the NPHC, is also certain that the NHPC chapter will continue to do just as well as it has in the past. He also called attention to how selective NPHC is with their members and said that recruitment is not really as important as some of the other aspects the chapters look for.

"Everyone wants to be cool and join the Greek community," Slusher said. "If that’s the case, NPHC is not for them. We want someone who is actually going to work."

If interested in joining or finding out more information, the NHPC wil be holding an informational session called NHPC Greek Assembly in the LSC Ballroom at 5 p.m. on Sept. 7.