Week 1 - 3 Greek Terms

Active

A fully initiated member of a sorority or fraternity who is current with all dues paid. A member who has been initiated into lifelong fraternity or sorority membership and participates in organization activities.

Ace

Someone who has the line number 1, the leader of the line.

Alumnae

A graduated member of a sorority

Alumni

A graduated member of a fraternity

Badge

pin, a piece of jewelry given to identify their membership in the organization.

Typically worn to official events, it is only worn while in business-like attire, and usually worn over the heart and above all other pins.

Bid

A formal invitation to join a Greek organization.

Big Brother/Big Sister

An active member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a mentor to a new member, guiding him or her through the new member program and initiation.

Brother

An active member of a fraternity. An initiated member of a fraternity. It is used as a term of address when an initiated member refers to another initiated member.

Call

A vocal sound used by Greeks to identify oneself, typically followed by a response. A sound that each organization member says to represent their organization. Audible sounds used by members to acknowledge or gain the attention of other members. May vary regionally within organizations, and some organizations may use more than one

Chapter

A recognized and sanctioned entity/unit/division of a larger fraternity designated by a special Greek name.

Club

Same number as you while pledging or on line

Crossing

Ceremony during which new members of multicultural Greek organizations become active, life-long members of their organization.

Crossed

The same as being initiated; crossing over from being a pledge to being a full member. "Crossing the Burning Sands"

Deference

Giving respect to the members that came before you, such as giving up your seat to an older member.

Dean of Pledges

The membership educator. The person who is to make sure that you are safe and getting the proper information during your process/intake. An old term that the groups still use, short for Membership Educator.

Deuce

Someone who has the line number 2.

DOT

Someone pledging by him/herself. AKA as point, ace, or solo.

Dropped

The discontinuance of the pledge process or someone who has left or been removed from Membership Intake Process.

Dry Recruitment

The practice of not serving alcoholic beverages at recruitment functions.

Executive Office

The central organization of a particular fraternity or sorority, often referred to as National Headquarters, International Headquarters, or just Nationals.

Frater

a term used to refer to another member of their fraternity. Sometimes they will refer to someone as simply Frat.

Fraternity

A Greek organization for men / masculine women. Many of the older women's organizations are officially known as fraternities rather than sororities. Also refers to co-ed Greek organizations.

Greek

An informal name of a member in a fraternity or sorority.

Greek Letters

Typically, two to three letters you earn the right to wear upon crossing.

Hand Sign

An action used to identify members of the same organization. Most have a deep meaning to that organization or ritualistic symbol.

Inactive

A member who is not current on financial dues or a member who has requested to be released from membership responsibility due to personal circumstances.

Induction

The ceremony in which an individual begins their pledge journey to become a member. Step 1 of the pledging process.

Informational

recruitment event for interests to learn about an organization.

Initiation

Ceremony that marks the beginning of new members becoming active, life-long members of their organization (as long as they stay in good standings according to the organizations bi-laws).

Interest

title of a potential new member who the group knows is interested.