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It's all Greek to Me!

Greek organizations use phrases and words to describe various aspects of Greek life. Below is a sample of the terminology with definitions, used by members of Greek Organizations

MEMBERSHIP TERMS:

Active Member: A fully initiated member of a fraternity/sorority with full chapter privileges and responsibilities.

Alumni Member: A graduated Greek member from the University of La Verne, or other campus.

New Member (informal: pledge): A student who has accepted a bid from a fraternity/sorority. After a period of education, new members may be initiated. This period is referred to as pledging, associate or new membership education depending on the fraternity/sorority.

Potential member: A person interested in becoming a member of a fraternity/sorority.

RUSH TERMS:

Bid: Official invitation to join a fraternity/sorority.

Chapter: Local group which represents a segment of a local or national organization.

Faculty Advisor: A full-time University faculty member that assists the organization with issues related to the university.

Initiation: The tradition ritual that brings a new member into active membership of a fraternity or sorority.

Legacy: A potential new member whose family member is already a member of that fraternity/sorority.

National: Fraternity/Sorority with chapters located at various Colleges/Universities across the nation.

Recruitment/Rush: The period at the beginning of the semester during which fraternity and sorority members meet potential new members and acquire new members through the Bid process.

Ritual: The traditional beliefs of a fraternity or sorority.

Sigma Rho Chi: Sorority Recruitment Counselors who are available to answer questions a potential member may have about recruitment. These women have temporarily disaffiliated from her chapter to provide objective advice and support to potential new members.

ORGANIZATION TERMS:

Big Brother/Sister: An active member chosen to assist and advise a new member.

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

CPA (College Panhellenic Association): The representative body governing sororities at the University of La Verne.

Exchange: A closed social gathering between one or more fraternities or sororities.

Fraternity: A Greek organization for men.

Greek Advisor: A full-time University of La Verne staff member who oversees all the programs included within Greek life.

Greek Week: A friendly competition each spring between recognized Greek organization at ULV. Past events have included: Fundraising Penny War, Greek Olympics, Letters Display, Greek Jeopardy and Lip Sync competition.

IFC (Interfraternity Council): The representative body governing fraternities at the University of La Verne.

National Pan-Hellenic Council: The campus coordinating body of historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

Order of Omega: The national Greek leadership honor organization.

Pin: The active pin or badge, worn on the chest designating an active member of a fraternity/sorority.

Philanthropy: Community service programs or events sponsored by Greek organizations.

Sister: A term used by initiated members of a sorority when referring to one another.

Sorority: A Greek organization for women.