Greek Terms


Christopher Newport University	Theta Phi Chapter

Get the 4-11 on the Terms We Use!

The following are just some of the Greek terms you might hear as you become acquainted with the Greek system.

- A -

Advisory Board: Local alums who donate their time to advise a collegiate chapter of a fraternity or a sorority

Active: A fully initiated member of a fraternity or sorority

Affiliation: The fraternity or sorority to which an individual belongs.

Alpha Phi Foundation: The philanthropic arm of Alpha Phi. A separate entity from Alpha Phi International, the Foundation supports sisters in need, provides scholarships, sponsors education and training opportunities for Alpha Phi volunteers and collegians, and funds cardiac care/research projects.

Alumna: A female, initiated member of a sorority no longer enrolled as an undergraduate student (alumnae is the plural form of alumna).

Alumnae Area Panhellenic: The organization of the alumnae of the National Panhellenic Conference sororities in your city or area.

Alumnus: A male, initiated member of a fraternity no longer enrolled as an undergraduate student (alumni is the plural form of alumnus).

- B -

Badge: See "Pin"

Bid: An invitation of membership from a Greek letter organization to a potential member.

Bid Day: This is the day rushees receive an invitation (or bid) to become a member of a sorority. Rushees should plan to spend the day with their new sorority, as each group has special events planned. On Bid Day new members will begin learning about their sorority and new sisters.

Bid Matching: A system of matching a rushee's preferences with sororities' preferences. It is often performed by computer and overseen by representatives of all sororities on campus.
Big Sister: A member of a sorority who sponsors, advises and guides a new member through her initial membership and initiation.

Brother: A term used by active members of a fraternity when referring to one another.

- C -

Campus Total: See "Total"

Ceiling: See "Total"

Chapter: The local group of the national/international organization.

Chapter Advisor: An alum who establishes and maintains a close advisory relationship with a fraternity or sorority chapter and serves as a teacher, counselor, resource, and friend.

Chapter Room: The place where sorority/fraternity chapter meetings are held.

Colony: A newly organized group working to become a chartered chapter of a fraternity or sorority.

Colors: The official pair or triad of colors that represent a specific Greek organization. Alpha Phi's colors are Silver and Bordeaux.

Continuous Open Bidding (COB): A time other than formal rush during which bids may be extended and accepted for eligible chapters. Some Panhellenic-affiliated chapters continue to recruit and pledge women throughout the school year.

Crest: Unique insignia used by sorority and fraternity members. Each group typically has a crest that holds special meaning to its members. Most Greek organizations reserve the crest for initiated members. (Also known as a "Coat-of-Arms" or a "Shield")

Cross-cut: Cross-cutting can happen in a few different ways. It can happen, for example, when a rushee's first-choice sorority does not rank her on its first bid list, and then her second and third choices do not have enough room left in their pledge classes after they have extended bids to all the women who ranked them first. As a result, the rushee does not place at any house.

Fortunately, a woman who is cross-cut usually has the option of accepting a snap bid from one of the houses that still has space available. Open-minded rushees can make the best of what could be a sad situation and accept a bid at another house. Afterall, there is nothing to lose by giving pledging a chance and there is everything to gain!

- D -

Depledge: Terminating one's sorority or fraternity membership before initiation. Those who depledge a fraternity or sorority may not pledge another sorority until the next formal recruitment period.

Dirty Rushing: Any violation of a rule set by the Panhellenic Council as governed by the National Panhellenic Conference. Examples include:

* Oral Bidding (being told you have, or will get, a bid);
see entry for "Oral Bidding"

Situations:

* When members of one sorority put down other sororities (through implication, giving false information, etc.).

* When a rushee is taken into a private room away from the recruitment event.

* When a potential member is "hot boxed." see entry for "Hot Boxing"

* When undue pressure is placed on a rushee to join.

* When a sorority member pressures a rushee to Intentionally Single Preference (or "suicide"). see entry for "Intentional Single Preference."

* When a sorority member comes into contact with a rushee in any way (person, phone, mail, etc.) during formal recruitment (other than during official parties).

Alpha Phi believes dirty rushing hurts all Greek organizations and potential members. Alpha Phi does not "dirty rush."

Dropping Out of Rush: When a potential new member decides to discontinue attendance at recruitment events.

Dry: A term used to describe events where alcohol is forbidden.

- E -

Extension: The process of establishing new chapters

- F -

Flowers: Most sororities are represented by a flower or flowers. Alpha Phi is represented by the Lily of the Valley and the Forget-me-Not, in addition to Alpha Phi's most recognizable symbol: the Ivy Leaf.

Formal Recruitment (Rush): The period of time set aside by the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils for meeting potential new members.

Potential members attend a series of parties, visiting all the houses and meeting their members. The parties are usually short (30-60 minute) conversational events, where rushees get to know the houses and vice versa. Short skits and refreshments are sometimes part of the festivities. Formal recruitment typically lasts anywhere from five days to two weeks, depending on the campus, and culminates with Bid Matching.

At Texas Tech University formal sorority recruitment takes place in the fall and lasts five days.

Founders Day: An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history.

Fraternity: A group of men bound together by ritual ties and common goals. Up until the early 1900s, this term was used by women's groups as well, since the term "sorority" had not yet been coined.

- G -

Good Standing: A status reached upon the fulfillment of all financial and scholastic obligations to a chapter.

Greek: A member of a fraternity or sorority.

Greek Week: A series of events sponsored by Greek-letter organizations to promote community service and Greek unity.

- H -

Hazing: Mental or physical degradation of any person. Hazing is strictly forbidden by Alpha Phi, Texas Tech University and the State of Texas. Alpha Phi members do not engage in hazing of any kind.

As a sisterhood founded on mutual love and respect, hazing has no place in Alpha Phi. Alpha Phi International will not tolerate the mental or physical hazing of any member. Initiated members of Alpha Phi are expected to refrain from any activity considered hazing and new members are expected to refuse to be hazed.

Hot Boxing: The isolation of a potential new member during an official Panhellenic or IFC recruitment party by one or more fraternity or sorority members for the purpose of recruiting.

House: A sorority/fraternity's physical facility. Usually used to hold meetings and other events. This term is also used as a synonym for a Greek-letter organization.

House Corporation: A legal entity holding title to any real property (land and buildings) for a chapter's living/meeting purposes. This body, usually composed of alumni, has the basic responsibilities relative to property ownership.

- I -

Independent: A person who is not a member of a sorority/fraternity.

Informal or Open Recruitment: A recruitment period conducted at various times during the year.

Initiate: A man or woman who has recently become a fully initiated member of his/her chapter.

Initiation: The traditional ritual, which brings the new member into full membership of the Greek organization

IFC: The Interfraternity Council, the governing body for fraternities at TTU

Installation: the establishment of a new chapter of a national sorority/fraternity.

Intentional Single Preference: When a rushee attends more than one preferential party but only lists one choice on her bid card. This is highly discouraged! It can unnecessarily limit your opportunities, or even cut you out of Formal Recruitment prematurely! A women who only ranks one chapter is taking a big risk and does so at her own peril. This practice is informally called "suiciding," "suicide bidding" or "suicide preferencing."

- L -

Lavalier: A necklace with Greek letters attached to it. New sorority members often receive their sorority's lavalier at initiation or other special times.

Legacy: A prospective member whose grandmother, mother, sister was in a sorority, or whose grandfather, father or brother was in a fraternity. Legacy stipulations differ for each sorority and fraternity.

The bond of having a family member in one's sorority is special and one that sororities want to encourage. However, it is not a guarantee that a woman will be chosen to be a member of her family member's sorority. She will be chosen based on her own merits. Likewise, a woman who is a legacy of any participating sorority is encouraged to look closely at that chapter. However, she should also look closely at the other chapters on campus to make sure the group she chooses the best house for her, not just her family member.

- M -

Mascot: A symbol--usually an animal--chosen to represent a Greek letter organization. Alpha Phi's mascot is the "Phi Bear."

Mismatch: When a rushee's name fails to match any of her sorority preferences. See also: "Unmatched Bid"

Mixer: A social activity held by two or more Greek organizations.

Motto: Most Greek groups have an public motto. Alpha Phi's motto is "Union Hand in Hand."

- N -

National Interfraternity Council (NIC): The governing body of all fraternities in North America. Website: http://www.nicindy.org

National Panhellenic Council (NPC): The governing body of all sororities in North America. Each of the 26 member sororities are autonomous as social, Greek-letter societies of college women, undergraduates and alumnae. Website: http://www.npcwomen.org

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): The governing body of all historically black Greek Groups in North America. Website: http://www.nphchq.org/

New Member (formerly "Pledge"): An individual who has accepted a bid and is engaging in preparing for initiation, but who has not yet been fully initiated and instructed in the rights and rituals of full membership.
New Member Educator: The individual in charge of the new member class, who is charged with preparing the new members for initiation.

New Member Program: A period of learning about fraternity/sorority life prior to initiation. This period varies for all groups.

- O -

Oral Bidding: Any statement by an individual that indicates a sorority/fraternity intends or wishes to pledge a potential new member. Some examples of oral bidding are:

* "I want you for my little sister."
* "You belong here."
* "We have a place for you."
* "You can wear my badge."
* "You are our kind of girl."
* "We voted on you, you're in!"
* "We love you!"
* "You could be wearing these letters."
* "You'll be a great asset to our chapter!"
* "If you preference our chapter, you will be in."
* "We already think of you as a sister."
* "We would give you a bid card tonight, but Panhellenic won't let us."
* "We really want to see you back here."
* "We want you to join because you have so much to offer to our chapter."

Oral bidding falsely implies an invitation to a recruitment party or a bid. No individual member has the authority to issue invitations or guarantee membership during formal recruitment. If you feel you have received an oral bid, tell your Rho Chi.

Order of Omega: Members are juniors and seniors who are initiated members of a fraternity or sorority and have attained a high standard of leadership and scholarship in Greek community activities.

- P -

Panhellenic Council: The College Panhellenic Association is a cooperative campus organization of collegiate members of NPC sororities.

Philanthropy: Most Greek-letter organizations, adopt a cause called a philanthropy. Alpha Phi's philanthropy is heart projects. Throughout the year, we donate time and raise money for cardiac care and research.

Pin (or "Badge"): (2 types) The Active Pin or Badge is a distinctive insignia worn on the chest designating an active member of a particular fraternity/sorority.

The New Member Pin is an insignia used to designate a new member of a particular fraternity/sorority.

Pinned: A term used when a fraternity member gives his steady girlfriend his pin to wear.

Pledge: See "New Member"

Potential New Member: A person interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority.

Preferential Bidding: A system used at the conclusion of Formal Recruitment when rushees and sororities indicate their choices, and matches are made.

Preference Card: Cards that rushees sign after each round of recruitment parties, indicating the order of her preferences of the sororities she visited.

Preference Party: During formal recruitment, these are usually the last party or parties before bid day. Preference parties are typically formal events with ceremonies during which members convey the meaning of their sisterhood.

During these parties, think back on the previous rounds and recall what you liked best about each sorority. This will help you form a complete impression of the sororities and help you to decide where you feel most comfortable. Most of all, base your decision on your own feelings.

- Q -

Quota: The maximum number of women a Panhellenic sorority may recruit during formal rush. This number is determined by the university's Panhellenic.

It is typically calculated by taking the number of Potential New Members (Rushees) and dividing by the number of Houses to ensure that as many rushees as possible receive a bid.

- R -

Recommendation (or Reference): A letter or statement written by an alumna recommending a potential member to a chapter. Letters of recommendation do NOT guarantee a bid from any sorority.

Recruitment (formerly "Rush"): A mutual selection process wherein potential members are introduced to the Greek groups on campus during non-alcoholic, conversational parties. It is a time to meet many new people. It is also a time for making decisions. Ask yourself:

* "Is Greek life for me?"
* "Can I meet the financial obilgations?"
* "Which group do I feel the most comfortable with?"
* "Which Greek members do I feel the greatest connection with?"
* "Which group has the ideals and values that best match my own?"

These are all questions that you will have to answer before deciding which groups you might want to be a part of. Participating in Rush does not mean that you must join. You decide if you want to join.

Recruitment Counselor (formerly "Rho Chi"): An upper-class sorority woman who has chosen to temporarily disaffiliate from her chapter in order to be an objective confidante for potential members. Every woman participating in formal membership recruitment will be assigned a Rho Chi as a source of information, counselor, listener and friend.

Recruitment Guidelines: Guidelines set forth by the Panhellenic Council to ensure a fair and stress-free recruitment process. (Informally: "Rush Rules")

Reference: See "Recommendation"

Rho Chi: See "Recruitment Counselor"

Ritual: An activity that bonds the organization together and is traditionally secret. Also, the formal document that contains the secret principles and ideals upon which groups were founded. Ritual elements are sacred to each sorority/fraternity. They are handed down through the generations and are discussed and used exclusively by initiated members.

Rush: Informal term for Recruitment and/or Formal Recruitment. See entries for "Recruitment" and "Formal Recruitment"

Rushee: Informal term for Potential New Members. See "Potential New Member"

- S -

Silence: Period of time when conversation and contact between potential new members and sorority actives, new members, alumnae, and agents is strictly limited by the Panhellenic recruitment rules.

From Sorority Rush Convocation until Bid Day, sororities and rushees observe strict silence. In order to prevent pressure on the rushees, sorority women and rushees may only communicate during Rush parties and should limit themselves to casual greetings in public. We believe that by observing this silence, the rushees are given an opportunity to decide their preferences without undue pressure. Sorority women who do not talk to you are not ignoring you; instead they are simply observing this policy.

Sister: A term used by active members of a sorority or women's fraternity when referring to each other.

Snap Bidding: The time during which sororities that did not reach quota may extend bids to women who participated in the formal recruitment process. "Snap bids" may be extended to women who were not matched at another chapter. See also: "Mismatch" and "Unmatched Bid"

Sorority: A fraternity for women. Prior to the coining of the word "sorority," women's groups, like Alpha Phi, used the term "fraternity" to describe their group. A-Phi's official name: "Alpha Phi International Fraternity" reflects this heritage.

- T -

Total: The maximum number of women a sorority may have as members. This number is determined by the university's Panhellenic. (Also called "Campus Total" or "Ceiling")

- U -

Unmatched Bid: In Formal Recruitment, this is when a Potential New Member does not place with any House (does not get a bid). Very often, it is the result of having Intentionally Single Preferenced a house (a practice that is highly discouraged). See also "Mismatch."

- W -

WatchCare: Alpha Phi's philosophy of caring for our members in all that they do.

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