Fraternity and Sorority Life Glossary

TERM	DEFINITION
Ace	The person of the line.
Active	See Collegian
Advisor	An alumnus or alumna member who serves as a resource for the active chapter and liaison between the alums and collegians.
Affiliate	To join with an organization. Colonies petition national organizations to affiliate with them. A member who switches schools may also affiliate with the chapter at his/her new school.
Alumni	Members of a fraternity who have graduated. (Singular is an alumnus); Used when referring to a group of both fraternity and sorority members who have graduated.
Alumnae	Members of a sorority who have graduated. (Singular is an alumna)
Alum	An abbreviation for Alumnus, Alumna, Alumni, or Alumnae
Anchor/Tail	The last person of the line.
Badge	Also known as a pin, it is an item of jewelry given to members upon initiation. The badge is to be worn at all official functions, and upon a member's death it should be returned to the sorority or fraternity headquarters. The badge must be worn with business-like attire, usually over the heart and above all other pins.
Bid	An invitation to join an IFC fraternity or NPC sorority. They are given out during formal recruitment (on Bid Day for sororities, at any time before the end of formal recruitment for fraternities). The NPHC and NALFO/NMGC process does not include bids.
Bid Day	The last day of recruitment in which potential new members receive formal invitations to join a sorority.
Bid Matching	A system for matching the choice of the potential member with the choice of the chapter.
Big	Nickname for big brother or sister, a mentor assigned to a new member. Many organizations have special names for these pairings.
Brand	Organizational symbol(s) burned into members, usually on the arms or chest. Relates to scarification practiced by African tribes. Branding is a voluntary process, not a requirement for membership. Brother - Term that fraternity members call each other.
Call/Chant	A yell used mostly by NPHC organizations (although some NIC, NPC, NALFO, NMGC, and local orgs have calls as well). Used to identify and greet brothers and sisters. Emulating a call/chant is a sign of disrespect.
Chapter	A branch of a national sorority, established at a campus. Each will have their own name, usually designated by Greek letters.
Chapter Advisor	An alumnus who serves as a mentor to the chapter membership and advises officers on all chapter operations.
Chapter House	A house on campus where members of the organization reside. Not all campuses have chapter houses. Some have designated rooms given to each fraternity or sorority called Chapter Rooms, or a special residence hall where each group gets a floor.
Chapter Meeting	A meeting held to discuss fraternity or sorority business.
Charter	Permission from the national organization to have a chapter.
College Panhellenic (CPH)	College Panhellenic associations are established on campuses where there are at least two NPC member group chapters. Sometimes referred to as CPC (College Panhellenic Council/Conference).
Collegian/Collegiate	An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority currently in college. Formerly/also known as active.
Colony	A new organization that is awaiting official recognition from the national to have a chapter at a campus.
Colors	The official pair or triad of colors that represent a specific Greek organization.
Continuous Open Bidding	Also known as COB. If a sorority does not reach the allowable membership total during formal recruitment or if they do not get a quota, they may hold informal recruitment, and offer bids to potential new members.
Crest	Insignia used by fraternity or sorority members. Most Greek organizations reserve the crest for initiated members only. Each crest has hidden, secret meanings behind it. Also known as a coat of arms or shield.
Crossed	The date on which an associate member crossed into a fraternity or sorority to become an active member. Usually, a term used in culturally-centered Greek organizations.
Cross Pledging	Cross pledging is defined as allowing members from another organization (fraternity and/or sorority) to view, question, pledge, come into physical contact, etc. with potential new members from your organization. Not permitted by Farmingdale State College.
Dean of Pledges (DP)	A person who oversees the membership intake process. (Typical in NPHC/NALFO/NMGC)
Depledge/Drop	The process where a new member elects or is asked, to relinquish membership during their process/initiation period. Those who depledge an NPC sorority may not begin a process with another sorority for one full calendar year.
Deferred Recruitment	Recruitment starts after the beginning of the school year.( Typically requires 12 credits)
Dirty Rushing	When one organization will attempt to influence a potential new member through gifts, bad mouthing other organizations, etc.
Divine Nine	A nickname for the nine historically African American Greek organizations on the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Dry	A fraternity or sorority which does not permit alcohol on their house premises, and in some cases, does not allow the organization to host a party involving alcohol. Some fraternities are going dry at the national level, and all sororities have different levels of "dry". For example, one may allow the sorority to attend a function hosted by a non-dry fraternity, while another sorority may not.
Dry Rush	A fraternity rush event with no alcohol. All sorority recruitment events are dry, so this term only applies to fraternities.
Dues	Charge of joining a fraternity or sorority. Covers costs of national and local operations, formal events, activities, and other events. The amount varies based on the organization.
Expansion	When an organization is looking to expand and open a chapter at a new school.
Financial	The term used to refer to an active member. (i.e. a dues-paying member, typical in NPHC/NALFO/NMGC)
Formal Recruitment	See Recruitment.
Founders Day	An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history. It's not necessarily held on the day the organization was founded.
Frat	A nickname for a fraternity or a fraternity brother. IFC members generally find this to be offensive; however, NPHC fraternities use it as a mark of respect for each other.
Frater	A term used to identify members of the same fraternity; sometimes used to refer to any fraternity man of an NPHC organization.
Fraternity	A group of people brought together because of mutual interests. Generally thought of as a group of men, but also refers to co-ed organizations and many sororities are officially fraternities.
Gamma Sigma Alpha	An honor society for Greek members who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Need a 3.5 or above to join.
Greek	Not referring to one's nationality. Greek in this sense means a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Greek Week	An organized week of activities to unite all organizations/councils in friendly competition.
Greenbook	(Manual of Information) the informal name for the handbook containing procedural, instructional and practical information about National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), college and alumnae Panhellenics. The handbook has green covers.
Greeting	Greetings are defined as formalized ways in which a potential new member is required to address a current member of the organization in which skits, songs, prose, etc. are incorporated.
Handshake	It's a special handshake unique to each organization. Only initiated members will know the handshake. Also known as a 'grip'.
Hazing	Any act performed by a member of any organization that is likely to cause harm, danger, causes public embarrassment or shame, compromise's a person's dignity, causes the person to be the object of ridicule, causes psychological harm, or is illegal. Hazing is against the law in all states and is against the principles of all fraternities and sororities.
Headquarters (also known as Corporate, Executive Offices)	Is the home for an organization's operations. Headquarters typically house an organization's operating staff that carry out the day to day operations of the organization. Most organizations are housed in Indianapolis/Carmel, IN.
Hold Over	Someone who is a new member who for some reason, can't be initiated with their new member class and is "held over" until the next initiation occurs. Often happens because of finances, personal reasons, grades, etc.
Hot Boxing	Members of Greek organizations putting pressure on potential members to join. For Panhellenic Formal Recruitment- Hot Boxing is defined when 3 or more initiated women are chatting with a PNM.
House	A physical facility usually used to hold meetings and other events. Also a synonym for an organization or the word 'chapter'.
House Corporation	The entity that holds the title to property that a chapter lives or meets in. This is usually an alumni group like an advisory board.
House Director/House Mom/House Manager	A person hired to live in the chapter house and supervise the chapter members.
IFC	Stands for Interfraternity Council, and is the governing body of the NIC fraternities, on some campuses local fraternities are housed under the IFC.
Inactive Member	A member who has elected to become inactive in fraternity or sorority life for various reasons. They have no say or participation in chapter/organization activities.
Independent/GDI	The term for a student that is not a member of a Greek organization.
Informational	Recruitment events for culturally-based groups.
Initiate	A person who has recently learned the ritual of a fraternity or sorority and is a full member.
Initiation	A ceremony where a pledge/prospective new member becomes a full member of the organization. Initiation ceremonies are private and different for all organizations.
Intake	A term for the process by which NPHC members are selected to become new members of an organization. Much more secretive than recruitment or rush, but generally includes an application and an interview process, followed by an educational program done at the local level conducted by both undergraduates and alumni, then an initiation (generally known as "crossing").
Intentional Single Preference (ISP)	When a prospective member-only puts down one choice on her MRABA. This sometimes lessens the chances of her getting a bid, and isn't recommended. Formerly called suiciding, but was changed to ISP because of the negative implications of the term.
Interest Group	A group of individuals on campus in the first stage of the process leading to installation as a chapter of a Greek-letter organization.
Lavaliere	A necklace with the sorority/fraternity letters, often worn by members. Lavaliering is a process where a fraternity member would give his lavaliere to his girlfriend, as a sign of a serious relationship. Depending on the campus, this can be equal to "pinning".
Leadership Consultant	( Also known as Area Manager, Traveling Leadership Consultant, etc) Our alumni members who are hired by the organization to perform visits that last between 1-3 days to access chapter operations or help the organization during recruitment.
Legacy	The son, daughter, brother, or sister of an organization's member. Some organizations also include grandchildren or stepchildren. Sorority rules sometimes dictate she cannot be released from the first round of parties, but in no way are legacies guaranteed a bid from the organization they are a legacy to.
Letters	The first Greek-letter of each Greek word that makes up the name of the fraternity or sorority are often displayed on clothing. Some organizations don't allow new members to wear letters (only the name spelled out), while others do.
Little/Lil	Nickname for a Big's new member that they mentor.
Line	An NPHC term that is somewhat equal to a pledge/new member class. They are the potential new members of the organization. Lines are often given names.
Live In	Used to identify members that live inside the chapter house.
Local	An organization that is not part of an incorporated Greek organization, typically only found on one campus.
Marching	Marching is defined as but is not limited to potential new members linked arm in arm, stepping or stomping loudly in unison, dipping and/or chanting/singing.
Mascot	A symbol, usually an animal, chosen to represent a Greek-letter organization.
Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA)	The form that is filled out following Preference Round for Formal Panhellenic Recruitment. On this form, you rank your choices and agree that you are bound to whatever Sorority you receive a bid to for one(1) calendar year.
Mixer/Exchange/Social	A party between a fraternity and sorority, or several fraternities and sororities, often involving themes or games.
NALFO	The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, the umbrella council for Latino Greek Letter organizations.
NAPA	National Asian Pacific Islander American Panhellenic Association, an association of nine (9) member Asian Interest fraternities and sororities.
National	A fraternity or sorority's national headquarters. Usually erroneously called "national", as most organizations are international, having chapters outside of the US.
Neophyte	New member of Greek Letter organization; also called a 'Neo'. This term is generally used by NPHC, NALFO, and NMGC organizations.
New Member	After receiving and accepting a Bid, the person becomes a new member. Formerly called a pledge, sometimes called Associate Member.
New Member Pin	A distinctive badge worn on the chest designating a new member of a particular fraternity or sorority for the period of time between bid acceptance and initiation. Most organizations require the new member to return the new member pin at initiation in exchange for their member pin.
New Member Class	The group of new members that will be going through the New Member Program and Initiation together. Formerly called a pledge class, this term is still used among the fraternities.
New Member Educator	The liaison between the new members and the chapter, they are responsible for implementing and monitoring the new member program and preparing the new members for initiation.
New Member Program	The time period where the new member learns about their new fraternity or sorority before initiation. Lasts from Bid day until Initiation. Formerly called pledge period (and still called this in fraternities).
NIC	North-American Interfraternity Conference is the trade association representing 75 International and National Men's Fraternities.
NMGC	The National Multicultural Greek Council, the umbrella council for Multicultural Greek Organizations
No Frills	Formal recruitment where costumes, elaborate food, skits, etc. are forbidden at all or most rounds. Designed to let sororities recruit on a level playing field, so a sorority with more funding cannot 'out decorate' a sorority with a smaller budget. Also used to prevent over-spending on recruitment, which is usually a large portion of a sorority budget.
NPC	The National Panhellenic Conference is the organization that governs the 26 national women's sororities.
NPHC	The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the 9 historically African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine.
Number	The number you are assigned based on the chronological order you are in on your initiation line (often members of other culturally-based organizations identify or relate to one another by distinguishing that they are the "same" number).
On the Yard	An NPHC phrase meaning that a chapter is currently chartered on campus
Open Motto	A short phrase that describes the purpose or outlook of a fraternity or sorority, and is available for all to read. Many organizations also have a Creed or Purpose in addition to an Open Motto, as well as a motto that is only for initiated members.
Order of Omega	An honor society for Greek members who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic achievement.
Paraphernalia	Also known as 'para' or 'nalia'. This is clothing and accessories which display the organization's letters.
Panhellenic	"All Greek"
Panhellenic Council/PC	The governing body of the sororities of a particular campus.
Paper Members	Generally refers to NPHC members who join without going through a new member education process.
Parties	See Rounds.
Perp	A perpetrator, someone who pretends to be a member of a fraternity or sorority, by wearing the letters, claiming they're a collegian, etc. They will, and always do, get found out.
Philanthropy	A charity or fundraiser that the fraternity or sorority supports. It can be national, local, or both.
Pin	The active pin is worn on the chest designating an initiated member of a certain chapter. A new member pin is similar and is used to designate a new member/potential new member of a chapter.
Pinning	Designates the start of a new member process. The New Member wears a fraternity/sorority pin and at the moment of pinning, officially becomes a new member. It can also be a term for a fraternity member giving his pin or a sweetheart pin to his girlfriend, often a precursor to an engagement.
Pledge	See New Member
Potential New Member	A person who is interested in joining a Greek letter organization, and will participate in rush, intake, or recruitment. Formerly called rushees by sororities, the term is still used by fraternities. Also abbreviated to PNM.
Preference	The final round/party held by sororities during Recruitment. They are fancier than the previous rounds/parties and usually include a ritual that potential new members can participate in. Also known as 'Pref',
Probate/Coming Out Show	A performance by newly inducted or soon to be inducted members. A way for organizations to showcase the newest members of the organization. These shows are generally done by NPHC, NALFO, and NMGC organizations
Prophyte	A term used to describe an older member of an NPHC, NALFO, or NMGC organization that has inducted new members.
Quota	A set number of new members a sorority can extend bids to. A quota is determined by taking the total number of potential new members at Preference (sometimes from the second round of invitational parties, depending on the school), and dividing by the number of sororities. For example, if there are 5 sororities on campus, and 100 women on preference night, each sorority can take a maximum of 20 new members.
Quota Additions	Women who are matched to their preference for sororities if they have maximized their choices throughout the formal sorority recruitment process. The total number of additions for a sorority cannot exceed 5% of quota.
Recolonize/Recharter	A process where a fraternity or a sorority that was previously on campus, receives another charter for the same campus. Recolonization/Rechartment can happen because a chapter died out due to low numbers, or had their charter revoked.
Release	When a sorority does not invite a woman back to participate in new member activities or the potential new member does not go back to a chapter she was invited to.
Ritual	A secret ceremony of a Greek organization. Also, the formal document that contains the secret principles and ideals upon which the organization was founded. Ritual elements are sacred to each fraternity and sorority and have been handed down through generations. Only initiated members may be privy to rituals.
Rec	A recommendation, a letter sent by alumni in good standing to the collegiate chapter where a PNM will be going through recruitment. The letter introduces the PNM to the chapter. Recs are perceived to be very important at large Southern schools, but they are rarely heard of in other areas of the country, like the Pacific Northwest. Recommendations can be thought of like extra credit in sorority recruitment - they are not required, but they won't hurt you if you have them. Also known as a Reference.
Recruitment	Fraternity(NIC): The process where fraternities get new members. Potential new members interface with fraternities in various outlets including socials, philanthropy, sports, etc. Panhellenic: Each Formal Recruitment cycle will include several events known as rounds. Each round has a particular theme. Rounds typically include Open House, Sisterhood, Philanthropy, and Preference. Formal Recruitment is based on mutual-selection. Also known as "parties" The old term is rush, which is still used by the fraternities. NPHC, NALFO, and NMGC practices differ.
Recruitment Counselor	A sorority member who leads a recruitment group (this is the practice of NPC). During recruitment, they disaffiliate from their sorority so that they will not bias the potential new members. Farmingdale State College uses Pi Chi (Panhellenic Counselor)
Round	Each Formal Recruitment cycle will include several events known as rounds. Each round has a particular theme. Rounds typically include Open House, Sisterhood, Philanthropy, and Preference. Also known as "parties"
Rush	See Recruitment. Rush is an outdated word that was replaced in 1999 by recruitment. Rush referred to the practice of fraternities "rushing" to the train station to meet the newest members of the freshman class of a college or university and pinning their fraternity colors on the freshmen to identify them as a potential member of that fraternity.
Sands	An NPHC term for members of your new member class or Greeks who became members the same semester. Comes from the phrase "cross the burning sands" which means to cross over (Become initiated) into full membership.
Sign	A unique display expressed by hand symbols, typically by NPHC organizations. Emulating the sign is a sign of disrespect.
Silence/ Strict Silence	The point from which recruitment starts until it ends, where no sisters in houses and PNM are allowed to speak about the details of recruitment.
Sister	A term that sorority members call each other.
Smoker	A formal meeting held by the organization for potential new members that provides details on the application process and rules of the organization; generally geared to potential new members who have a serious interest.
Snap bid	A bid provided to a PNM who was not placed during bid matching. The PNM would be on the sorority's list, but that PNM did not list the sorority on her bid card. Many schools will not allow someone who suicides to receive a snap bid. Some schools will allow a person who had to drop out of recruitment to receive a snap bid.
Social Probation	Potential new members not being able to socialize and or speak with people outside of the organization and/or not being able to attend social events such as parties, programs, etc.
Soror	Means sister, this is a term used by NPHC sorority members to acknowledge one another. Rarely used among NPC sororities.
Sorority	A Greek organization for women. Many of the 26 NPC sororities are actually fraternities, as many were created before the word sorority was coined. Despite this, most will call themselves sororities.
Step Show	A show performed by NPHC, NALFO, and NMGC organizations (as well as other organizations) which include a combination of stepping and strolling among other activities.
Stepping	Is a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps and handclaps
Stroll(ing)	Also known as 'party walk(ing)' An energetic, synchronized dance. Typically, NPHC Organizational members move together in a line expressing pride for their organization. In this line, members may express their pride through use of their organization's call, sign or historical information, ritual/custom dances, etc. All of this is done through movements that are unique to a particular organization. Emulating or cutting in/through the line is considered a sign of disrespect.
Surfacing	The first public appearance of a line. More widely used post-1990 by Latino organizations that maintain an aboveground new member process.
Sweetheart	Sorority member or other woman chosen to serve as a sweetheart of a fraternity, usually chosen because of work she's done with the fraternity.
Tail	The last person of the line.
Tiki	A large necklace worn with large Greek letters on them. Similar to a lavaliere but much larger and often made out of wood.
Total	Total is the allowable chapter size, including both new and initiated members, as determined by the Sorority Council.
Underground	A student that participates with the chapter as a member but has not been eligible to join or on the roster.
Uniform	An identifying outfit or style of dress worn by the members/potential new members of a given organization.

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Fraternity and Sorority Life Glossary

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