The Panhellenic Association (Panhel) is the comprehensive name of the entire women's fraternity/sorority system. Every woman who is a member of one of the ten sororities on campus is a member of the Panhellenic Association. The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the women's fraternity/sorority system at the University of Rhode Island.

The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the governing body the Panhellenic Council. All policies instituted by the Panhellenic Council have been developed in accordance with NPC policies and recommendations.