Greek Terms to Know

Active:
A fully initiated member of a fraternity/sorority.

Alumnus/Alumna:
A fully initiated fraternity/sorority member who is a graduate of an undergraduate institution.

Bid:
A formal invitation given by a chapter asking a prospective member to join their chapter.

Brother:
The term used by members of men's fraternities when referring to each other.

Chapter:
The local collegiate membership of an inter/national fraternal organization.

Fraternity/Sorority:
A group of individuals bound together by a ritual, common ideals, and a strong bond of friendship and brotherhood/sisterhood. Women's fraternities are called sororities.

Greek:
A member of a fraternity/sorority.

Hazing:
Any action taken to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, or ridicule. Hazing is strictly forbidden by fraternity/sorority chapters, inter/national organizations, governing councils, The University of Memphis, and the State of Tennessee.

Initiation:
The traditional ritual or formal ceremony of induction, which marks the transition to full membership of a fraternity/sorority.

Interfraternity Council (IFC):
A representative governing body of 9 of the 68 member fraternities of the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

Legacy:
A prospective member whose relative is an alumnus/alumna or current member of a fraternity/sorority.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC):
A representative governing body of 8 out of 9 member fraternities/sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.

New Member:
The title given to the newest member of a chapter, who is being educated about membership in the fraternity/sorority, until time of initiation.

Prospective Member:
A term used for undergraduate men and women interested in becoming a member of a fraternity/sorority.

Sister/Soror:
The term used by members of sororities or women's fraternities when referring to each other.

Recommendation:
A statement or letter from an alumnus/alumna or an active member of a fraternity/sorority, which recommends the prospective member for membership.

Recruitment:
The continual process of recruiting men and women to become members of the Greek community. There are three forms or Recruitment.

Formal Recruitment:
A designated period of time when a prospective member can join a fraternity/sorority by attending a series of events.
(IFC and WPC fraternities/sororities only)

Continuous Open Bidding (COB):
A process that allows prospective members to join a fraternity/sorority outside of Formal Recruitment.
(IFC and WPC fraternities/sororities only)

Membership Intake Process (MIP):
A membership selection and initiation process.
(NPHC fraternities/sororities only)

Recruitment Counselor/Gamma Chi: A sorority woman who disaffiliates from her sorority to assist prospective members during Recruitment.

Panhellenic Council (PC):
A representative governing body of 7 of the 26 member women's fraternities/sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Conference (NPC).

Greek Leadership Stats at the University of Memphis

• Over half of the U of M's Who's Who Among American College Students of 2004 are Greek
• All of the 2004 initiates of Omicron Delta Kappa are Greek
• 80% of the Orientation Guides are Greek
• 80% of the Frosh Camp Counselors are Greek
• President of Student Government Association is Greek
• Majority of the SGA Senate are Greek
• Vice President of Student Activities
• President of Student Ambassador Board is Greek
• The Entire Frosh Camp Executive Board are Greek
• Executive Director of Up 'Til Dawn is Greek