The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) recently brought students another Spring Hump Day, which included field day-themed activities at the NPHC plots on Wednesday, April 21.

NPHC is comprised of nine historically Black organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta and Iota Phi Theta, in which six of these organizations are involved on Southeast's campus.

Deshawn Smith, senior and President of the Xi Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, said NPHC is known for hosting “Hump Day,” an event made for students to have a fun break in their chaotic and stressful week of school.

“Hump Day lets students just come out and relax amongst their peers, have a good time and listen to good music. It allows us to be able to see each other's faces and catch up on what’s going on for the rest of the week,” Smith said.

“We throw events for the Black students on campus — there's not too many people that are going to make sure that there are events that cater to the Black community out here. That's kind of what we have taken on with our role as NPHC, to give students things they might actually want to do and be interested in,” Smith said.

Raven Cole, senior and president of both NPHC and the Lambda Eta chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated said hump days actually started way back around 2010.

“Hump Days are every Wednesday during the common hour,” Cole said. “They usually are in front of Kent Library until here recently in 2018 — we had our newly-designed plots behind Parker Hall,” Cole said.

Although Hump Day is thrown by these historically Black fraternities and sororities, Cole said the events are intended for all students.

“It's just a gathering of students on campus — it doesn't have to be just African Americans or people of color; anybody is welcome to come. This is just a time where we can gather and congregate to make our presence known. We don't get a lot of coverage, and often, people don't know who we are since we are in small numbers,” Cole said.

Sasha Loper, junior and treasurer and corresponding secretary of the Omicron Pi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, said her favorite thing about Hump Day is talking and interacting with other people.

“When people actually come up and talk to us, I enjoy that a lot,” Loper said. “I just want to emphasize that [NPHC members] are very friendly people, and it is fine to come to our events and speak to us. We are people just like you guys.”

Students can get involved by attending NPHC events. They can get connected by visiting Southeast’s NPHC’s Instagram and Twitter. NPHC’s next event is Midnight Hump Day on May 6 at 9 p.m. in front of Scully Fountain.