Greek Glossary
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ACTIVE: An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority |
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AFFILIATE: (also referred to as new member) |
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ALUMNUS/ALUMNA: A member of a fraternity/sorority who has graduated from college |
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ASSOCIATE: (also referred to as new member) |
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BIG SISTER/BROTHER: An active member of a chapter who sponsors, advises, and guides a new member through their new member period/pledgeship and initiation |
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BID: A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority |
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BROTHER: A term used by fraternity members when referring to each other |
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CHAPTER: Local group of an (inter)national Greek organization |
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COMMUNITY SERVICE: Volunteer hours spent helping a cause |
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CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING (COB): A process in which a woman can be offered a bid before or after formal rush |
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DEPLEDGE: The termination of a new member's affiliation with the Greek organization. Depledging still requires that the ex-new member respect the traditions of the chapter by retaining all secrets activities/ceremonies |
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FRATERNITY: Greek organization for men or women |
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GREEK: A member of a sorority or fraternity |
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HAZING: An unproductive and hazardous custom that is no longer accepted in sororities or fraternities at CSU |
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INITIATION: The formal ceremony which brings the new member/associates/pledges into full membership |
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INTENTIONAL SINGLE PREFERENCE: When a female rushee attends more than one preferential party but only lists one choice on her bid card |
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(INTER)NATIONAL ORGANIZATION: A national or international Greek letter organization of which each chapter is affiliated |
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LEGACY: A potential member of a fraternity or sorority who is a child/sibling/grandchild of a member of a Greek organization |
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LINE: Reference to a group in historically Black Greek organizations |
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LODGE: Non-residential fraternity facility used for meetings and social space |
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MUTUAL SELECTION: The selection process during formal rush when the potential new members choose the chapters and the chapters choose the potential new members |
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NEW MEMBER: One who had been accepted as a probationary member of a sorority or fraternity. After a period of education about the sorority/fraternity and fulfilling specified requirements, s/he may be initiated (also known as an associate member, affiliate member, or pledge) |
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NEW MEMBER EDUCATION: A period of education in the history, ideals, and traditions of a Greek organization prior to initiation |
| ORDER OF OMEGA: A national honor society recognizing the outstanding fraternity and sorority leaders in the Greek Community |
| PHILANTRHOPY: A charitable project or event that raises money for a particular cause or organization |
| PLEDGE: (also referred to as new member) |
| POTENTIAL NEW MEMBER: Man or woman going through the Recruitment process for Greek membership |
| QUOTA: The number of women that a sorority may bid during formal or informal rush |
| RECRUITMENT: The mutual process of membership selection consisting of scheduled functions in which active members and potential new members become acquainted |
| RECRUITMENT GUIDE (RHO GAMMA): Sorority member who has disaffiliated from her chapter to serve as an impartial counselor to potential new members during the Recruitment period |
| RITUAL: Traditional, secret ceremonies of a chapter |
| SISTER/SOROR: a term used by sorority members when referring to each other |
| SORORITY: Greek organization for women |
| TOTAL: The allowable chapter membership size, as determined by the Panhellenic Council, and includes both new and initiated members. a chapter may only go over total through the formal rush process |