Greek Alphabet
All our fraternities and sororities utilize the Greek alphabet in the names of their organizations. The uppercase and lowercase forms of the letters are:
All our fraternities and sororities utilize the Greek alphabet in the names of their organizations. The uppercase and lowercase forms of the letters are:
Many unique terms are associated with fraternity and sorority life. Below is a list of several regularly used terms. If you don't know the meaning of something not listed here, ask us what it means!
First person of the line in a culturally-based organization
The last person of the line in a culturally-based organization
Also known as a pin; this is typically given to new members once initiated
An invitation to join a social fraternity or sorority
The final day of Panhellenic recruitment where potential new members receive invitations to join a sorority
Members are paired with a big sister or brother in their organization to serve as their mentor
A yell used to greet other members within an organization, typically used in culturally-based fraternities/sororities
The name applied to the local organization of a national fraternity or sorority
The organizational document from a national organization recognizing the existence of a local chapter
Common in NPHC, this refers to a chapter that is shared across multiple local college campuses
The provisional status of a new chapter as it goes through the establishment process on a campus
When Panhellenic sororities under total may recruit outside of primary recruitment
The symbol for a fraternity or sorority. Crests, also known as shields or coats of arms, typically have secret meanings known only to initiated members
The process of being initiated as a full member, often used by culturally-based fraternities and sororities
The practice of delaying the joining process for first-year students until their second semester
Regional groups of alumnae/i that typically support local undergraduate chapters. Most common in NPHC and other culturally-based organizations.
Founder of a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization
A student with a relative who has membership in that organization
The new members or neophytes in a culturally-based organization
The mentee to the big sister or big brother
Also referred to as Headquarters, the Inter/National Organization that oversees a chapter
Someone who has accepted a bid to join a fraternity or sorority but has not yet been initiated
The process between joining and being initiated where new members learn about the history of the organization
Also known as a neo; this refers to a new member, typically in culturally-based organizations
The term to describe a founder of a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization
The charitable cause that a fraternity or sorority supports through fundraising
Hand symbol unique to each organization. It is disrespectful for non-members to use these signs.
A complex dancelike performance that comes from African culture
A dancelike performance typically done in a line representing the unity of an organization
The maximum number of members a Panhellenic sorority can have
A tradition-based secret ceremony, typically related to the founding of an organization
A person interested in joining a fraternity or sorority
The performance to unveil the new members in a culturally-based organization
A term used to describe older members within a culturally-based organization
The number of bids that Panhellenic sororities can distribute during the primary recruitment process