Plots at UNCW
- An NPHC Plots account has been created through UNCW's Advancement Office for people interested in donating
University Advancement Contact Information
Mailing Address
University Advancement
UNC Wilmington
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5990
TELEPHONE
866.468.6291 (Toll-Free)
910.962.3751
FAX
910.962.7159
Plots
History of NPHC Plots
The concepts of land or "plots" have been traced to the days of slavery and reconstruction. On September 6, 1865, Thaddeus Stephens, a Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania, urged that land confiscated from Confederate rebels be divided into 40-acre plots for the newly freed slaves. Over the years, NPHC organizations have developed plots on college campuses and treated them as almost sacred grounds.
The largest of the symbols of Black fraternalism on college campuses is known as the plot. A plot is a structure that symbolically represents the organization, and appears in various forms. The most prevalent is a structure built with bricks and concrete to form some form of object that represents the organization. From available evidence, the earliest plot-type structure is the Omega sundial erected at Howard University in 1929.
Other forms of plots currently exist. Some are represented through an area on campus where the trees and sidewalks are painted in the colors of the organization, with the letters of the organization. Another form of plot consists of a professionally done granite plaque that lists the name of the organization, the national and local founding dates, and the date it was erected. A third form consists of benches and garbage cans painted in the organization's colors with the letters.
For campuses with plots, especially historically Black colleges, the plot plays a central role in the culture of Black fraternities and sororities as a meeting location. This is very evident during homecoming activities as alumni and alumnae meet at the plot to get reacquainted or meet current chapter members. This spirit of gathering many times evolved into impromptu step shows at the plot as well. (Elon, History of National Pan-Hellenic Plots section)
Plot at UNCW
Since 2007 Fraternity and Sorority Life and the National Pan-Hellenic Council has explored the potential to create NPHC plots at the UNCW. The two groups began researching other institutions with plots, held focus groups to determine what members desired, and a group of students and staff visited nearby campuses with plots. In 2009 a workgroup of students, faculty, staff, and alumni was created to begin developing designs and criteria for what plots would look like at UNCW.
The plan developed by the workgroup revolved around including plots for all 9 NPHC organizations and they will similarly designed to fit the Georgian architecture of campus. Each organization will be able to customize certain aspects of the plots. Two initial designs and layouts have been created and the final design and layout will be selected once funds have been raised for the project and a location on campus has been secured.
Donate Today