Question: What is the difference between a social and professional fraternity?Fraternity is the Latin word for brotherhood. Both are organizations that are composed of a group of people with similar interests, academic institution or major. Both work toward the betterment of their members and usually have a common goal.
Social fraternities do not group students together by their profession or major. They focus more on building the character and leadership abilities of their membership, but can also focus on socializing. In these organizations the gender of its membership is usually stated in the title (fraternity, sorority, co-ed fraternity). These organizations can also be based on cultural or ethnic backgrounds.
Professional fraternities are solely based on the student’s field of study and can be as specific as engineering or as general as social sciences. These organizations are more focused on building the student’s skills that are specific to that particular area or profession. It is possible to be in multiple professional fraternities, although most only allow this if the other professional fraternity is based in a different profession. Most professional fraternities are assumed to be open to those of both sexes, although there are some exceptions.
Both organizations have the option tox pledge their members, although social fraternities are assumed to pledge members to ‘promote a sense of brotherhood.’ You can be in both a social and professional fraternity at the same time. Membership in both organizations is for life, with participation encouraged to continue after graduation.Get to know the co-ed fraternities.Co-ed fraternities that currently have active members:
Alpha Psi LambdaWhen Jonathan “Carys” Barrera was asked how he would explain Alpha Psi Lambda to a non-Greek he said: “Alpha Psi Lambda Co-ed Fraternity is an organization that is based on real familia (family). We are happiness, sadness, anger, drama, excitement, and all that love-hate relationship. Plus, we are about empowerment, not intimidation, when it comes to building relationships with others. Therefore, we believe not necessarily in being as one, but at least in working as one regardless of our differences in opinions. Last, but most importantly, we are 100 percent against hazing regardless of our tragic past.”
Omega Phi Alpha Psi Rosa “Moxie” Botello is attempting to start a colony of Omega Phi Alpha Psi here at NEIU and is looking for people who are interested. When asked about what makes her organization special she replied, “Omega Phi Alpha Psi Co-Ed Fraternity is a traditional and non-traditional Greek Fraternity. We’re traditional in the sense that we step and stroll, chant, wear Greek letters, do community service and above all strive for excellence in all that we do academically and socially. But, what really sets us apart from the rest of the Greeks on the NEIU campus and other university campuses is that we are multiculturally based. Our mission is “to combine individuals of all nationalities, ethnicities, and religions in the pursuit of social and academic excellence.” We do not discriminate and are proud of our open-minded views of the world. We were founded on the ideologies of breaking racial barriers and stereotypes.”
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