Vault: Racial Divide between Greek organizations.

I spent the first semester of my junior year reporting on Greek life at CMU. One thing I noticed was that when events were publicized as all Greek events, they generally were divided: Panhellenic and Inter-Fraternity Councils were seen as one and National Pan-Hellenic Council was seen as its own separate entity. I wondered if the councils were aware of what was going on and I was granted permission to write the story for CM Life. What started as one turned into two, the second story involves non-traditional members of these fraternities and sororities (Black women pledging traditionally White sororities and White men pledging traditionally Black fraternities). Due to reasons beyond my control, the story never got a chance to run, but I wanted to post it because it was one month of my life, for something I really became interested in.

Central Michigan University's Greek system may be looked at as one community by the general public but there are visible differences between some organizations.

The Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council are three councils under the Greek umbrella,  according to Kappa Alpha Psi member Julius Bryant there is a separation between the councils.
 "There is a divide and it is visible," the Lansing senior said. "We do two completely different things and serve two different purposes."

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is made up of nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities.
The Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council are traditionally White organizations.
According to NPHC president and Alpha Phi Alpha member, Shell Brummell, the reason there is a divide is because people are scared to step out of their comfort zones.
"The biggest reason for the divide is race," Brummell said. "It's not racism, it all has to do with comfort levels."
Delta Chi vice president Devin Jones said that it is hard for members of his organization to break out of their shell, and not just with other Greeks.