Fraternity & Sorority Life

NPHC Plaza

History and Significance
Built on a promise, the expression "forty acres and a mule" referenced land that was to be divided into 40-acre plots shortly after the Civil War and provided to freed slaves as reparations for slavery. It was agreed that each family would receive forty acres and would be supplied army mules to work their land; however, the federal government failed to follow through with this order.

In 1865, African Americans believed that ownership was the best way to secure the feeling and recognition of freedom and
opportunity. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) use plots today as a symbolic representation of their belonging to college and university campuses across the nation.

Through the unified efforts of the USF NPHC, Student Government, Office of the Provost, Student Success, and with the support of the USF Student Body we have constructed the USF National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza.

USF is the first, non-Historically Black College and University (HBCU), state institution in Florida to build physical representation for this underrepresented population. There is a deep historical significance to this development that celebrates and honors the achievements of the NPHC members along with their contributions to college/university campuses and surrounding communities both locally and nationally.

The Ribbon Cutting event was held on February 1, 2019. Thank you to all of the participants and attendees for making this such a memorable occasion. 

Plaza Ribbon Cutting


Funding for the NPHC Plaza was provided by:

  • All nine NPHC undergraduate chapters; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
  • USF Student Government
  • USF Administration