Greek Terms:


Active - An initiated collegiate member who is currently paying dues to an undergraduate chapter.

Alumna - A graduate member of a Sorority. Plural: Alumnae.

Associate Member - The term used to describe the period of time that an individual is learning about the chapter.

Bid - An membership invitation extended to a prospective member.

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

Chapter - The local group of undergraduate students on a particular campus recognized by the university and the (Inter)national organization.

Dry Rush - The practice of not serving alcoholic beverages at recruitment functions.

Greeks - Fraternity and sorority members.

Greek Organization - A fraternity or sorority (social, honor, or professional).

Initiation - A ritual based ceremony that marks the acceptance of a lifetime commitment to the fraternity or sorority.

Legacy - Someone who’s mother, father, sister or brother is a member of a particular Greek-letter organization. Being a legacy does not guarantee membership.

Mixer - A themed party between a fraternity and sorority.

New Member - A new member of a fraternity or sorority aspiring to become an initiated member.

New Member Educator - A sister or brother responsible for overseeing the development of new members and their preparation for initiation. This individual serves as a liaison between the new members and the chapter.

Philanthropy - An effort to promote human welfare. Philanthropic activity is one of the foundations of Greek-letter organizations.

Pinning - The ceremony in which an individual begins to become a new member of a Greek organization.

RUSH - The organized period of selecting prospective new members. It is a mutual selection process.

Sister - An initiated member of a sorority. It is used as a form of address when one initiated member refers to another member.

Sorority - An individual women’s Greek organization.

Greek Alphabet:

Α Alpha	Β Beta	Γ Gamma	Δ Delta
Ε Epsilon	Ζ Zeta	Η Eta	Θ Theta
Ι Iota	Κ Kappa	Λ Lambda	Μ Mu
Ν Nu	Ξ Xi	Ο Omicron	Π Pi
Ρ Rho	Σ Sigma	Τ Tau	Υ Upsilon
Φ Phi	Χ Chi	Ψ Psi	Ω Omega

Fun Facts:

• 85 percent of the Fortune 500 executives are members of Greek organizations.
• 25 United States Presidents have belonged to Greek-letter organizations.
• Fraternities and sororities have maintained a higher grade point average than the undergraduate average at most universities.
• A U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of Greeks graduate, while under 50% of non-Greeks graduate.
• A study by the Center for the Study of College Fraternities found that fraternity and sorority members were significantly more satisfied with their college experience than non-members.
• 63 percent of the U.S. President's cabinet since 1900 have been fraternity men.
• Of North America's 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by Greek men and women.
• 70 percent of Who's Who in America are Greek.
• As undergraduates, Greeks raise approximately $7 million per year for charities.
• As undergraduates, Greeks give approximately 850,000 volunteer hours per year.
• Employers consider 18 key factors in evaluating job interviews. The Greek community provides opportunity to develop 12 of those key factors: Real-World Experience, Leadership Qualities, Personal Presentation, Attitude, Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Community Service Orientation, Adaptability-Drive-Initiative, Proven Track Record, Ability to Learn, Preparation for Interviews.