Greek Terminology: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Greek Terminology

Joining the Fraternity and Sorority Life community can feel daunting. Learning the "language" will help interested students maximize their opportunities to get involved in a community.

Active: A fully initiated member of a chapter who is in good standing.
Alumna or Alumnus: Any initiated member of a sorority or fraternity who has graduated from college.
Badge/Pin: Worn on the chest to designate an initiated or new member of a certain fraternity or sorority.
Bid: A formal invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.
Big Sister/Brother: An older member that serves as a role model and resource to a new member.

Chapter: The local group of a national sorority or fraternity.
Formal Recruitment: A designated membership period during which IFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities hold a series of organized events.
Fraternity: A men's greek-letter organization. Often founded on high ideals of character, scholastic, and leadership achievement. "Fraternity" may also refer to some women's sororities.
Gamma Chi (Recruitment Counselor): Panhellenic sorority women who are selected and trained to guide potential new members through the formal recruitment process.
Informal or Open Recruitment: Recruitment conducted at various times during the year.
Initiation: A ritual or ceremony during which a new member receives lifelong membership in the organization.
Legacy: A man or woman whose father/mother or brother/sister is an initiated member of the organization. Legacy status varies from chapter to chapter and may also include grandfather/grandmother and uncle/aunt.
Line Sister/Line Brother: Individuals who are members of the same intake class and organization.
Membership Intake: The process by which one becomes a new member of a fraternity or sorority. Typically used to reference NPHC organization practices of acquiring membership.

Neophyte: A term used to refer to new members of an NPHC organization.
New Member/Aspirant: A member of a greek letter organization who has not yet been initiated.
New Member Class/Line: A group of individuals who are selected to become indicted/initiated into a particular fraternity or sorority.
New Member Educator: The chapter officer who coordinates the education of the organization's new members.
New Member Presentation: A show often organized by NPHC organizations to introduce their new members to the campus community.
Potential New Member (PNM): A term used to describe an individual seeking membership and/or participating in the recruitment process.
Prophyte: A member of an NPHC organization who has been in the organization long enough to initiate a new line of members.
Sisters/Brothers: Members of the same fraternity or sorority.
Stepping: A series of complex, and precise, rhythmic movements performed to songs, stomps, or chants and created by organization members. Typically performed by NPHC organizations.
Strolling: Typically performed in unison to a song with precise, synchronized movements. Typically performed by NPHC organizations.

Fraternity and Sorority Life: Overview

Greek Terminology

Greek Terminology

Fraternity and Sorority Life