Greek Speak!
Here are some terms used by Greek Organizations around campus:
Active: a formal initiated member of a fraternity or sorority
Alumnae/Alumnus: a sorority/fraternity member who has graduated from college
Bid: a formal invitation to join a Greek organization
Big Brother/Sister: an active member assigned to be the personal mentor for a new member
Brother/Sister: a term used when referring to other members of a Fraternity/Sorority.
Chapter: name for the local organization of a national Fraternity/sorority. (Ex. Sigma Psi Kappa - Alpha Chapter)
Chapter Advisor: An alumnus/alumnae or faculty/staff member who serves in an advisory role to provide guidance to the organization
Crossed: the actual date of initiation into a Greek organization.
Hazing: Mental or phycial abuse or harrassment of a member. Hazing is prohibited by university policy, State law, and the policies of national fraternities and sororities.
Inter Fraternity/Sorority Council (IFSC): The governing body of the Greek community.
Legacy: a prospective member who has a family member in the same fraternity or sorority
Line: the members of a cultural greek organization new member class.
Local: A fraternity or sorority located solely on this campus.
Mixer: A closed event for members of a fraternity or sorority.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC): the representative body of national sororities
National Inter-Fraternity Council (NIC): the representative body of national fraternities
National/International: A fraternity or sorority with local chapters across the country and in other countries.
Neophyte: a new member of a cultural Greek organization. Sometimes called a "neo"
New Associate Member: a member who has not been initiated (some organizations use other terms such as "PLEDGE", ASSOCIATE, CANDIDATE, OR LINE BROTHER/SISTER) - one who has been accepted as a probationary member of a sorority or fraternity but has not yet been initiated. Collectively, the New Members who join the same semester are called the NEW MEMBER CLASS. "PLEDGE" is a term not supported by NJIT.
New Member Education Process: the time period (usually 7-10 weeks) in which candidates for active membership (or new members) learn about the organization and participate in brotherhood/sisterhood activities.
New Member Pin: a pin that designates a new member of a Greek organization.
New Member Recruitment: the continual process of recruiting members for a Greek organization.
Philanthropy: the chapter's specific charitable organization(s) that they donate money and volunteer hours.
Recruitment (RUSH): When fraternities and sororities recruit new members. Usually occurs in the first weeks of each semester.
Ritual: the tradtional ceremonies of a chapter, which are usually secret.
Pinning: The ceremony of entering into the new member education program. New members wear pins or other outward symbols to show their commitment and desire to become a brother or sister of a fraternity or sorority. Being pinned does not make you a new member, or a sister. It often does, however, give you a better chance in receiving a bid from the sorority or fraternity you pin in.
Potential: a term for men or women being recruited by a Greek organization.
Strict silence: not discussing recruitment with non-sorority members outside of the recritment events
Stroll/ Step Show: a line dance done by members of cultural Greek Organizations (usually at a party or step show)
