Greek Terminology and Alphabet

An undergraduate fraternity or sorority member who has been initiated by their chapter.

A fraternity or sorority member who has graduated from college.

A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.

An active member of a fraternity or sorority who mentors a new member, guiding them through their new member program and initiation.

A term used by fraternity members when referring to each other.

The name applied to the local organization of a inter/national fraternity or sorority.

Often an alumnus/alumna of a fraternity or sorority who establishes and maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter and assists members and officers in all areas of chapter operations.

The document issued from a national organization to a chapter that indicates that the group is a full-fledged member of the national or international organization.

A group of students seeking a charter from a inter/national fraternity or sorority.

When a member temporarily removes his or her association from his or her chapter, usually during formal recruitment time.

A Greek organization for men. Formally, both men’s and women’s groups were called fraternities, though many of the women’s groups now refer to themselves as a “Fraternity for Women” or sorority.

A member of a fraternity or sorority.

“Hazing” means any intentional, negligent or reckless action, activity or situation that endangers or is likely to endanger the physical health of an individual or causes an individual pain, embarrassment, ridicule or harassment as a condition or precondition of gaining acceptance, membership, office or other status in a student group, whether or not such group is formally recognized by the University and regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate. The expressed or implied willingness of the victim(s) is not a defense. For more information regarding policies and procedures of the Division of Student Affairs, please visit us here.

The central office of an inter/national fraternity or sorority.

A member who has no participation in undergraduate chapter activities, including, but not limited to, social activities and voting at undergraduate chapter meetings.

A formal, ritual ceremony through which new members become full members of a Greek organization.

The membership recruitment and induction process for the National Pan‐Hellenic Council (historically African‐American fraternities and sororities) and some Multicultural Greek Council fraternities and sororities.

A student who has a brother/sister, mother/father, aunt/uncle, and/or grandfather/grandmother who is a member of a particular fraternity or sorority. Legacies are often granted special consideration in the membership recruitment process but never guaranteed membership.

Term sometimes used by various culturally based Greek organizations to refer to the members who join the same semester.

A new member of a fraternity or sorority who is paired with and mentored by an active member.

A new member of a culturally based Greek organization.

A student in his or her first phase of membership in a sorority or fraternity (before being initiated). Also known as Pledge Candidate, Line Brother/Sister, Neophyte or Associate Member.

The period of time during which a candidate or new member is educated about the chapter and learns about becoming a full member.

The chapter’s specific charitable organization(s) support through donations and/or volunteer hours.

The fraternity/sorority badge of membership.

A non‐member who is eligible to participate in the recruitment/intake process, visiting Greek organizations with an interest in possibly affiliating with one organization.

The number of women each sorority may bid in a formal recruitment period.

A written recommendation or letter of introduction for a potential new member from an alumna to the sorority of which they are a member.

A series of events offering members and potential members the opportunity to get to know each other.

A Panhellenic representative who has no contact with her own chapter during membership recruitment and is available to guide women through the recruitment process and answer questions.

The traditional ceremonies of each chapter.

A term used by sorority members when referring to each other.

An individual women’s Greek‐letter organization. This is the term commonly used to distinguish between men’s (fraternities) and women’s (sororities) organizations. As noted previously, some sororities are identified as a fraternity (or fraternity for women) in their official name.

Has been popularized by the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Stepping has African roots and is an African-American tradition as well as part of Black History. The members of the fraternities and sororities join in steps — elaborate synchronized group routines that are performed in competitions between the fraternities and sororities called “step shows.” Step shows incorporate cheerleading, military, and drill-team moves, especially the call-and-response element inherent in those forms.

A line dance done by members of culturally based Greek organizations.