The Office of Student Life, established in 1974, had oversight of Greek student life. By 1999, staff who advised the Greek community were organized into the Office of Greek Affairs, which now reports to the Dean of Students. Greek chapters at Iowa State are governed by the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council, and they also receive support from Ames-area fraternity and sorority alumni councils. The Jellison and Sutherland Awards are issued by the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values and presented to the best councils in the Central region. This collection contains Sutherland Award and the Jellison Award nomination packets submitted by the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council.

The first national fraternity at Iowa State, Delta Tau Delta, was organized in 1875. Two years later, Pi Beta Phi (organized as I.C. Sorosis) became the first national sorority to form at Iowa State University. For the next 13 years, these were the only two Greek groups on campus. To quell conflict between Greek and non-Greek students, President William Beardshear ruled in 1891 that "from this date onward no other student shall be permitted to join a secret college fraternity." 

Greek chapters were effectively banned until 1904, when President A. B. Storms convinced the Board of Trustees to lift the ban. Between 1904 and 1961, 34 national fraternities and 13 national sororities were established at ISU. In 1949, M. D. Helser, Director of Personnel, noted that "Our fraternities have developed into an important part of college life…Today they are an integral part of this institution." 

The Office of Student Life, later named the Dean of Students Office, was established in 1974 and had oversight of Greek life. By 1999, the Office of Greek Affairs was established within the administration of the Dean of Students Office. Greek chapters are governed by the Interfraternity Council (founded in 1935) and Panhellenic Council, and they also receive support from Ames-area fraternity and sorority alumni councils.

The Jellison and Sutherland Awards are issued by the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values and presented to the best councils in the Central region. Iowa State's Interfraternity Council competes for the Jellison Award while the Panhellenic Council at Iowa State submits nomination packets for the Sutherland Award. Both groups have won their respective award several times.

This collection (2002-[ongoing]) contains Sutherland Award and the Jellison Award nomination packets submitted by the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council. The packets include extensive information regarding council management, member recruitment, philanthropy and community service, public relations, academic achievement, and other aspects Greek living at Iowa State.

This collection is organized chronologically.