Find words that have special meaning in the Greek community.
Active: An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority chapter
Alumna/Alumni: Any initiated member of a sorority/ fraternity who graduated or left college in good standing
Bid: A formal invitation to a prospective new member to join a chapter
Chapter: A group of officially chartered and recognized collegians at a given college or university
Colony: A new organization waiting for official recognition from their national leadership to start a chapter on campus
Continuous Open Recruitment (COR): Informal membership recruitment process when bids may be extended and accepted at any time during the school year other than during formal recruitment
Disaffiliation: Temporarily removing yourself from your chapter to assist during recruitment process
Exchange: A social event, usually a themed mixer, between a fraternity and sorority
Formal Rush: A formal week of scheduled events, held during fall and spring quarters, showcasing each fraternity organized by the Interfraternity Council (IFC)
Greek: A term applied to all fraternities and sororities
Hazing: Any recruitment activity, whether you participate voluntarily or involuntarily, that causes you physical, mental, or emotional harm
Initiation (Crossing): The formal ceremony where new members receive lifelong membership privileges in their chosen chapters
Interfraternity Council (IFC): The campus governing body for all fraternities
Legacy: A sibling, child, or grandchild of an initiated member of a sorority or fraternity
Multicultural Greek Council: The campus governing body for all multicultural fraternities and sororities
New Member (Pledge): An uninitiated potential member of a fraternity or sorority
Panhellenic Association: The campus governing body for all sororities
Philanthropy: A charitable project sponsored by a fraternity, sorority, or the Greek community
Potential New Member (PNM): A man or woman seeking membership in a sorority or fraternity (formerly referred to as "rushees")
Recruitment: The new member selection process (formerly referred to as "rush")
Rituals: Ceremonies celebrated and conducted by every chapter of sororities and fraternities
Sigma Rho Chi: A member of a Panhellenic sorority who disaffiliates during formal recruitment to assist new members through the process