Being Greek
Alpha/New Member/Pledge: a prospective who has accepted a bid to the fraternity/sorority, and is associated with the chpater through ceremony, but has not yet been initiated.
Bid: a formal invitaion of membership to join a fraternity or sorority.
Big Brother/Big Sister/Diamond Sister: an initiated member who serves as a guide, advisor, and special friend to a new member.
Chapter: a local group of an international or national fraternal organization.
Community Service: a charity/service project sponsered by an individual chapter or several chapters.
General Fraternity: a Greek men's or women's organization which develops members in the areas of academic excellence, leadership development, community service involvement, financial responsibiltiy, and social development.
Initiation: the activity by which a fraternity or sorority brings into full membership its new members who have met initiation requirements.
Interfraternity Council (IFC): the local student governing body for fraternitites and sororities.
Legacy: a man/woman whose brother/sister, father/mother, grandfather/grandmother is an initiated undergraduate or an alumni/ae member of a fraternity or sorority.
Recommendation: a letter written by an alumni/ae recommending a man/woman for consideration to a chapter.
Ritual: any traditional, secret activity conducted by the members of the chapter.
Recruitment/Rush: a process of mutual selection through which a fraternity or sorority gains new members through open house or invited functions.