Greek Speak....


It's helpful to learn some key Greek terms when you're considering joining the Greek system.

active | bid | depledge | dry pledging | dry rush | greek council | hazing | induction | initiation | philanthropy |
pledge | pledging | pledge class | rush | rushee | sister | sorority

Active: A member who has been initiated into lifelong membership in a Greek organization.

Bid: A fraternity or sorority's official invitation to join their organization.

Depledge: To drop out of a sorority after having accepted a bid and having undergone a portion of the pledge process. Usually you cannot join another Greek organization for a specified time after your depledging.

Dry Pledging: The practice of prohibiting drug and alcohol use during the pledge process.

Dry Rush: The practice of not serving alcoholic beverages at rush functions.

Greek Council: A council consisting of all the Greek organizations at the university with the purpose of promoting the positive aspects of Greek life.

Hazing: Any conduct which subjects another person to, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically, anything that may endanger, abuse, degrade or intimidate the person as a condition of association with a group or organization, regardless of the person's consent or lack of consent.

Induction: The ceremony in which an individual begins their pledge process to become a member of a Greek organization.

Initiation: A ceremony in which an individual becomes an active member of a Greek organization, also known as "crossing."

Philanthropy: An active effort to promote human welfare.

Pledge: A person who has been offered, and accepted, associate membership in a Greek organization, but who has not yet been initated into full membership.

Pledging: Status of a person who has accepted a bid, but has not yet been initiated.

Pledge class: A group of new members that joined the same organization at the same time and went through the pledge period together.

Rush: A program (and period of time) of membership recruitment by Greek organizations. The purpose is for rushees to learn about the Greek system as well as meet the members in order to better evaluate Greek organizations.

Rushee: A non-member who is eligible to participate in the rush program, visiting Greek organizations with an interest in possibly affiliating with one organization.

Sister: An initiated member of a sorority.

Sorority: Latin in origin, an individual women's Greek organization.