Here are some of the terms that you may hear before, during, and after going through Formal Recruitment!
Active: An initiated fraternity or sorority member who is affiliated with a campus chapter.
Alumna: A graduated member of a Women's sorority/fraternity (plural is alumnae). Bid: A formal invitation for membership from a Greek-letter organization. Big: An initiated member of a sorority who serves as a sponsor, advisor or special friend to a new member (the "Little"), guiding them through their new member program or initiation. Chapter: A term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity or sorority. Chapter House: A house on campus where members of the organization live. Not all sororities have chapter houses. Panhellenic Council: The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the sororities affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference chartered at Western University. This organization provides leadership and programming for the chapters.
Philanthropy: A community service and/or fund-raising project sponsored by a chapter. Pin: The pin of an initiated member is received during the initiation ceremony and worn in a designated location. Potential New Member (PNM): An individual interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority. Preference: The final parties held by sororities during Recruitment. They are fancier than the previous parties and usually include a ritual that potential new members can participate in. Also known as Pref. |
Dues: Monthly or semesterly costs of being in a fraternity or sorority.
Greeks: A casual term used to describe members affiliated with Greek-lettered organizations. Initiation: A traditional, secret ceremony that brings a new member into full Greek membership. Legacy: A potential new member whose grandparent, parent, brother or sister is a member of a fraternity or sorority. New Member: A potential member who has accepted a bid from a fraternity or sorority. May also be referred to as an "associate". New Member Period: The time period where the new member learns about their new sorority and fraternity before initiation. Lasts from Bid day until Initiation. Non-affiliated/GDI: Persons not involved with an inter/national Greek-letter organization. Often referred to as "independents". Quota/Total: The number of women to whom each sorority may extend bids.
Recruitment: Refers to the process by which chapters select new members. Ritual: The inter/nationally endorsed traditional, secret initiation ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority. Rho Gamma: A representative from a sorority that aids female potential members in the formal recruitment process. Sister: A term used by sorority members to refer to one another. |