Social & Greek Life

Beta Kappa Tau

Beta Kappa Tau History

The Brotherhood Beta Kappa Tau was founded on the campus of Mississippi University for Women in 1991. Beta Kappa Tau (BKT) is the oldest fraternity and the only Local Fraternity at MUW. BKT was founded in order to establish a closer bond of Brotherhood on campus and also in an effort to achieve the highest level of academic and social excellence.

About Us

With more than 30 years of service to the MUW community, BKT is full of exceptional gentlemen who hold the same values and ideas. Our organization has over 200 Alumni in 50 states and 7 countries. We pride ourselves on shaping young men into leaders by preparing them for life after college. Even after 30-plus years any brother can come back and be called a brother.

How to Join

You can join BKT by attending Rush. Rush primarily happens every fall in September. For updates follow our Instagram and check our Student Life Profile for upcoming events.

Instagram
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National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), is known as the “Divine Nine”. The governing body was founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington DC. The purpose of the NPHC is to create and maintain high standards in the life of fraternities and sororities; to perpetuate constructive fraternities and sororities, while fostering an understanding of the structure, differences, and methods of operation among the affiliate organizations; to address, coordinate, and develop action strategies on matters of mutual concern to the affiliate organizations; and to serve as the conduit for such actions plans as may be developed to ensure constructive fraternity and sorority relations.

The chartering organizations were:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., joined the council, followed by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 1937.
• The NPHC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937.
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. joined the NPHC as the ninth affiliate member in 1997.

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Requirements to join an NPHC Organization

• Each NPHC fraternity and sorority has its own requirements set by their national organization and the MUW chapter.
• Students who are interested in joining a national fraternity or sorority must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and community service experience.
• Ideal candidates will also have leadership involvement in an MUW- registered student organization.

Why Should I Join?

• Joining a fraternity or sorority can make your collegiate experience more diverse
• If you join a sorority or fraternity, you are more likely to have a higher GPA due to the high scholastic standards of the organizations
• Individuals who choose to join have the opportunity to have personalized mentorship opportunities
• You will gain a better understanding of service and become a service-oriented individual 

 
Financial Obligations

• Joining a D9 organization is a life-long financial commitment.  It is important you thrilly understand the weight of joining an organization
• Dues go towards National fees, chapter operating costs, and social functions.
• New members should expect to pay higher dues their first year due to initiation fees.
• Cost can vary greatly by chapter, but it is important to educate yourself on the cost to join a group
• After graduation it is an expectation that you remain a financially active member of the organization of your choice

Time Commitment

• D9 organizations can require more time than other organizations on campus. Analyze the time commitments you already have to see if this is a good fit for your priorities.

Chapter Commitments

• Chapter commitments vary from chapter and organization. Students who are interested in joining a D9 organization should understand the needs of that organization/chapter and assess if they have time and the capacity it takes to be a productive member.

Social Clubs

Social Clubs are local organizations that are unique to Mississippi University for Women. Clubs have been traced back to the early 1900s. At a time in education where women were unheard, and not included they formed circles of support that gave them friendship, belonging, and legacy. They named them social clubs. Over time, they created traditions, included women who have been historically unincluded, found sisterhood, and created an overall unique experience for women who chose The W. Each club has its own set of standards, morals, values, and insignia. Social clubs are invitation-only organizations. Those who are invited, join a long line of women who have set the standard of excellence across the world. 

Types of Social Clubs

• There are 6 four-year social clubs you can join. These organizations fall under the Interclub Council’s governing body. Potential new members can join whenever they wish to seek Membership.
• There are 2 two-year honorary social clubs you can join. These organizations fall under the Honorary Council’s governing body. Potential new members can only join these clubs as rising juniors or seniors.

The Interclub Council

About Us

The Interclub Council (Interclub), is the governing body of all 4-year social clubs. The purpose of Interclub is to promote cooperation and friendship among the members of Interclub in order to maintain high social and moral standards. The council established and enforced rules and regulations governing member organizations and social club recruitment without violation of sovereignty, rights, and privileges.

How to Become a Council Executive Board Member

Membership in Interclub is selected every spring during the general body election. During elections, the club will nominate the members they see best fit to run the Interclub Council. The general body then votes. Members who are interested in being on the Interclub Council should have an overall love for social clubs at MUW.

How to Join an Interclub Social Club

You can join a 4-year club by attending Formal Recruitment or Open Recruitment. Recruitment primarily happens every fall in September. For updates follow our Instagram and check our Student Life Profile for upcoming events.
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IG: @thewstudentlife

Recruitment

Students interested in joining a four-year social club can participate in formal or open recruitment. Formal Recruitment is a series of events that exposes you to social clubs. During recruitment, you will learn about all social clubs their missions, values, and standards. Open Recruitment is a one-day virtual process that is conducted after Bid Day. We encourage potential new members to participate in formal recruitment. However, it is not mandatory. If you’d like to participate in open recruitment please note, it isn’t guaranteed you’ll get into your desired organization.

Formal Recruitment Dates

Current 4-year Social Clubs

Current 4-year social clubs are seated at the campus of Mississippi University for Women.

Honorary Social Clubs

About Us

The Honorary Council (Honorary), is the governing body for 2-year social clubs. The purpose of Honorary is to promote cooperation and friendship among the members of Honorary in order to maintain high social and moral standards. The council established and enforced rules and regulations governing member organizations and social club recruitment without violation of sovereignty, rights, and privileges.

How to Join an Honorary Social Club

Rivalry
Students interested in joining an honorary social club can participate in Rivalry. Rivalry is a series of events that exposes potential new members (PNM’s) to Honorary social clubs. By attending, PNM’s can learn about Honorary Social Clubs their missions, values, and standards. For updates follow the Instagram and check their Student Life Profile for upcoming events.
My Student Life Portal
IG: @muw_maskers
IG: @muw_blacklist1914

Rivalry Dates

September 5th-7th, 2023

Current Honorary Clubs

Current 2-year social clubs are seated at the campus of Mississippi University for Women.

Social and Greek Glossary

NPHC Glossary (Terms)

Cross – Initiated, at the end of the recruitment period after being evaluated by the organization the aspirant is seeking. The new member then "crosses" over from a pledge to a new member.
 
Dropping Line – To quit the process of becoming a member.
 
Frat/Brother – The term NPHC fraternity men use to refer to each other within their organization.
 
Membership Intake Process (M.I.P.) – The process adopted by the NPHC and all of its members in the early 1990's to put an end to dangerous rites of passage practices and hazing. (Hazing is illegal in ALL our organizations AND in the United States courts of law).
 
Nalia or Para – Two abbreviated terms for paraphernalia like shirts, paddles, license plates, jewelry, etc. Abbreviations differ regionally.
 
Neo – An abbreviated term for the Greek word Neophyte, meaning beginner. A neophyte is someone who is new to the organization.
 
On the Yard – An organization that has active status on campus.
 
Probate – Official public display of initiation often in the form of a step. This is the first time when newly initiated members of each fraternity/sorority are revealed to the rest of campus.
 
Stepping – A creative form of artistic dance and musical entertainment unique to some culturally-based fraternities and sororities, especially those of historically African-American heritage.
 
Sister/Soror –  The term NPHC sorority women use to refer to one another within their organization.
 
Stroll – An informal form of stepping.
 
Active – An initiated, dues-paying member who is enrolled in the university.

Chapter – A membership unit of a national or international sorority or fraternity.

Legacy – To be a legacy means that you have an older family member (brother, sister, mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather) who was a member of a Greek organization.
 
Charter – The official document drafted by an Inter/National fraternity or sorority that allows for the creation of a local chapter that is affiliated with a college or university campus.
 
Recommendation – A statement or letter from an alumnus/alumna or an active member of a fraternity/sorority, which recommends a prospective member for membership.

Greek – A term used to refer to fraternity and sorority members and their organizations due to their use of Greek letters.
 
Hazing – Any type of action or activity that does not contribute to the positive development of a person. Hazing is against the law and is not tolerated.
 
Intake – The process used by historically African American fraternities and sororities to enlist new members.
 
Line – What a new member class is called in a historically African American fraternity or sorority.

Social Club Glossary (Terms)

Active – A student who after completing a period of pledging, has been initiated into a club, is still enrolled in the university, and is still participation in club activates

Granny – A member of the organization who is still in undergrad but is not an active member in the organization 

Alumnus or Alumni – A fully initiated member who is no longer in college

Bid – A written invitation to join a club

Bid Day – The final day of Recruitment in which potential new members receive a bid from a club and participate in activities with the organization from which they accepted a bid

Big Brother or Big Sister – An active member who serves as a resource, role model, and problem solver for the new member

Dirty Recruitment – Breaking and Recruitment rules. There are penalties for such violations.

Hazing – Any action taken or situation created to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule

Initiation – The ceremony in which a potential new member becomes an active member

Legacy – A man or woman whose, brother/sister, father/mother, or grandfather/grandmother was an initiated member of a social organization

Neophyte – An uninitiated member of an origination who has completed new membership education

Open Recruitment – An uninitiated member of an organization who has completed new membership education

Philanthropy – Active effort to promote human welfare

Pledge Activity (PA) – Special meetings for the new members that assist potential new members in learning the history of the organization

Pledge – A potential new member of a club who is in the process of completing new membership education

Pledge Trainer – The officer of the social organization who coordinates the education for the club’s potential new members

Preference Card – A card filled out by the potential new members at the end of Recruitment, listing in order of her preference, the clubs she wishes to join

Recruitment Counselor – A neutral representative of Interclub who temporarily disaffiliates from her club to guide and support potential new members through recruitment

Rushee/Potential New Member – A student participating in Recruitment; potential new member

Silence – Period of time during recruitment that conversation between potential new members and actives is not allowed. Begins after the potential new members’ last party and ends on bed day.

Quota – The number of potential new members which any social club may pledge during a specified time (determined by Interclub)