Greek Term Glossary:
Here are explanations for words that have special meaning in the Greek community:
Active
An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority chapter
Alumna/Alumnus/Alumni
Any initiated member(s) of a sorority or fraternity who graduated or left college in good standing
Alumni Association
An organization of alumni from an individual fraternity or sorority. The association may be based on geographical location or chapter
Bid
A formal invitation to a prospective new member to join a chapter
Call
A yell used to identify and greet brothers and sisters
Chapter
A group of officially chartered and recognized collegians at a given college or university
Community Advisor
An alumna/alumnus who establishes and maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter and serves as an educator and support for members
Continuous Open Bidding (COB)
Informal membership recruitment process when bids may be extended and accepted during the school year other than during formal/primary recruitment
Disaffiliation
Temporarily removing yourself from your chapter to assist during the recruitment process
Exchange
A social event, usually a themed mixer, between a fraternity and sorority
Expansion/Extension Group/Rising chapter
A new organization waiting for official recognition from their national leadership to start a chapter on campus
Formal Recruitment
A formal week of scheduled events held during fall and spring quarters
Frat
A term used to refer to one's fraternity or a fraternity brother
Greek
A term applied to all fraternities and sororities
Greek Organization
A fraternity or sorority (social, honour, or professional)
GLO
Greek Letter Organization
Inactive Member
Some groups distinguish between Active and Inactive members. Inactive members are usually members taking a semester off, or are in some other category that depends on the specific organization
Initiation or (Crossing)
The formal ceremony where new members receive lifelong membership privileges in their chosen chapters
Intake
The period of training before initiation when some sororities and most fraternities new members learn the history and traditions of the organization
Interest Group
A group of individuals on campus in the first stage of the process leading to installation as a chapter of a Greek-letter organization. These groups sometimes have a specific organization that they would like to become an expansion of
Interest Meeting
For prospective members to receive information about and meet members of an organization.
Legacy
A sibling, child, or grandchild of an initiated member of a sorority or fraternity
Line
Also referred to as Ship, a group of new members in a specific chapter, in a specific semester/quarter
Meet the Greeks
Information and meet and greet program put on by Halifax Greek Council for the purpose of recruitment.
Membership Selection
The right of each sorority and fraternity to select their own members
New/Associate Member
An uninitiated potential member of a fraternity or sorority (formerly referred to as "pledge")
NIC
North American Interfraternity Conference, a national confederation of 64 men's fraternities
Halifax Greek Council
The official DSU ratified campus governing body/society for the representation of all social sororities and fraternities.
Philanthropy
A charitable project sponsored by a fraternity, sorority, or the Greek community
Potential New Member
A man or woman seeking membership in a sorority or fraternity (formerly referred to as "rushees")
Quota
The number of women each sorority may pledge during formal recruitment (number varies each year)
Recommendation
a written statement in support of a woman/man for a sorority/fraternity written by an alumna or active member of that organization
Recruitment
The new member selection process (formerly referred to as "rush")
Rituals
Ceremonies celebrated and conducted by every chapter of sororities and fraternities