This semester, a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, is returning to the University of North Alabama.

The fraternity is currently in the process of reinstatement and is in contact with Fraternity and Sorority Life. With a new advisor and members, the fraternity says they are looking for a fresh start at UNA. 

“The Fraternity and Sorority Life community is excited to be in the reinstatement process with the Alpha Delta Beta chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as they are currently re-establishing as an organization on our campus,” said Anna Leigh Vaccara, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. rejoining our Fraternity and Sorority Life community will expand membership opportunities for men on our campus in an organization that promotes their principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift. We are excited to see what they accomplish as a re-established organization within our community.” 

The name of the fraternity was derived from the Greek initials of the phrase, “friendship is essential to the soul.”  

Omega Psi Phi was the first interfraternal organization to be founded on a historically black campus in 1911. Founded in Thirkield Hall on the Howard University campus, three members and their advisor developed their motto and the core values still upheld by the organization today: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. The chapter was not recognized at Howard University until 1914, the same year the Beta chapter was introduced at Lincoln University. 

An incident in 2017 caused the fraternity to be removed from campus altogether. This semester, the fraternity was present at convocation to gather more members for the brotherhood and participated in the meet and greet after the ceremony in hopes of being reinstated by the time the spring events begin. 

The Yard Show- an event meant to showcase each of NPHCs fraternities and sororities history through strolls, chants, and dances- will be on Feb. 27 from 6-8 p.m., and doors will open at 5pm at Norton Auditorium. This event will kick off NPHC week, for which a schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. 

“I have really enjoyed getting to learn about all the different brotherhoods and sisterhoods and what [the NPHC] means to each council,” said Molly Stephens, Graduate Assistant of Fraternity and Sorority life and the advisor for the NPHC.“I’ve also enjoyed getting to work with them and getting to grow my education and get to know all these students that I may not have known had I not been in this position.”

With the return of Omega Psi Phi, UNA will be a home to all of the NPHC sororities and four of the fraternities, totalling eight out of the Divine Nine Council.