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Greek Glossary

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Greek Glossary: Service

A

Alumni Advisor

Alumnus member who serves as a resource to chapters and acts as a liaison between alumni and collegiate members

Alumni/Alumnae Initiated member who has graduated from college or otherwise been granted alumni status by the organization: alumnus (male), alumni (men), alumna (female), alumnae (women)

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Greek Glossary: About

B

Badge/Pin Given and worn at official functions with at least business attire by initiated members of the organization

Bid A formal invitation to join a particular fraternity/sorority extended by a chapter

Bid Day The last day of recruitment in which new members receive bids to join a particular fraternity/sorority

Big/Little Terms used for mentors assigned between new members and initiated members; the initiated members (bigs) are charged with guiding the new members (littles)


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Greek Glossary: About

C

Collegian/Collegiate An initiated member of a fraternity/sorority currently enrolled in college who has not been granted alumni/alumna status

Colony An organization which has received approval from the university and recognized by one of the Greek governing councils but is in a trial period with their (inter)national organization

Continuous Open Bidding (COB) If a Panhellenic Association organization does not reach the total allowable membership, or if they do not reach quota, during primary recruitment, they may hold additional recruitment events and offer additional bids

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Greek Glossary: About

D

Dues Monetary cost of membership in an organization; are used to over chapter operations, materials, and programs

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Greek Glossary: About

E

Expansion Process of an organization beginning a new chapter or re-activating a dormant chapter at a university

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Greek Glossary: About

F

Founders Day An event celebrated by organizations to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history

Fraternity/Sorority Advisor (FSA) Campus-based professional that serves as a resource to all Greek-lettered organizations hosted at the university

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Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About

H

Headquarters (HQ) The central office of the Regional/Inter/National Greek organization

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Greek Glossary: About

I

Informational A meeting held by a chapter for prospective members who are seeking general information about the organization

Intake The membership selection process for historically African-American sororities and fraternities

Initiation/Cross Over A process during which new members receive lifelong membership privileges into the organization they have chosen

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Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About

L

Legacy A potential member who is related to an initiated member of the organization (collegian or alumni/alumna). Each organization has its own definition of "legacy". Legacies are not guaranteed a bid from  the organization they are a legacy to, nor are they required to select the organization as their preference during the recruitment process

Line Brothers/Sisters or New Member Class Individuals who are members of the same intake or new member class

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Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About

N

Neophyte (Neo) The newest members of an oranization; typically designated as such until another intake process occurs

New Member A student who has accepted the bid or invitation to membership but has not yet been initiated/crossed

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Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About

P

Philanthropy A charity or fundraiser the organization supports

Probate A show used to introduce new members of the organization

Prophytes Term used to refer to older members of the organizations

Potential New Member (PNM) A college student not affiliated with an organization who is eligible and interested in joining by attending recruitment/intake activities

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Greek Glossary: About

Q

Quota A set number of new members a Panhellenic sorority can extend bids to

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Greek Glossary: About

R

Recruitment Organized effort to meet potential new members to join a chapter

Recruitment Counselor Collegiate sorority member who guides potential new members during the process of Panhellenic primary recruitment

Ritual A secret ceremony of a Greek organization performed by initiated members that is prescribed and endorsed by the chapter's HQ

Rush An outdated term that was replaced by "recruitment"

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Greek Glossary: About

S

Stroll/Step Show A line dance/routine done by members of cultural Greek organizations

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Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
Greek Glossary: About
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