ACTIVE
An individual who has completed the pledging period, is in good standing financially and academically, and has been formally initiated into a lifelong membership with a Greek organization.
 
ALUMNI
A member, who no longer attends college, but remains active in the organization through alumni groups.
 
BID
A formal invitation issued by individual sororities and fraternities requesting you to join their organization.
 
BIG BROTHER
A special member who helps you become an active member of the fraternity.

BIG SISTER
A special member who helps you become an active member of the sorority.
 
BROTHER
A member of a fraternity who has been initiated.
 
CHAPTER
A membership unit of a national or international fraternity or sorority.
 
FRATERNITY
A ritual, a pin, and a strong tie of friendship characterize the name that applies to all male Greek letter organizations.
 
GREEK
A member of fraternity or sorority.
 
INITIATION
The formal ceremony, in which the pledge/associated member is shown the ritual, takes the vows and therefore becomes an initiated member of the organization.
 
NATIONAL
The national body or national headquarters of a fraternity or Sorority.
 
NATIONAL INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL (NIC)
The governing body of all fraternities.
 
OPEN BIDDING
A period other than formal rush, which bids, may be extended.
 
PHILANTHROPY
A service project undertaken by a Greek organization on the campus, community of national level.
 
PLEDGE / ASSOCIATE MEMBER/NEW MEMBER
An individual who has accepted an invitation to become a member of a Greek organization and who is working toward full membership, but has not yet been initiated.
 
RUSH
A series of events given by each fraternity or sorority in order to give the rushees a chance to evaluate each chapter.

SISTER
A member of a sorority who has been initiated.

SORORITY
A ritual, a pin, and a strong tie of friendship characterize the name that applies to all female Greek letter organizations.