Active
A member who has been initiated into a fraternity or sorority and is actively involved at the collegiate level
Alumni
Initiated fraternity or sorority members who have graduated from college and have remained in good standing with their organization
Bid
A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority
Chapter
A campus-based branch of a national sorority or fraternity
Charter
An official document that establishes a new chapter of a sorority or fraternity and grants recognition from the national fraternity or sorority
Council
A governing body (IFC, UGC, NPHC, or PHC) that oversees and coordinates the activities and policies of the fraternities or sororities on campus
Crossing
The ceremony during which new members of multicultural and NPHC organizations become active, life-long members of their organization
Dues
The monetary costs of membership in a fraternity or sorority. These fees are used to cover costs related to chapter operations, social events, philanthropic endeavors, educational programs, and other chapter expenses
Founders’ Day
A celebration held by sororities and fraternities to commemorate the establishment and founding of their organization and celebrate its history.
Hand Signs
Signs that only an organization’s members can “throw up.” Most signs are very symbolic of an organization or an official symbol.
Hazing
Hazing is any activity that is expected or required of someone to join or maintain status within a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. These acts are not tolerated at George Mason University and are in direct violation of GMU’s anti-hazing policy as well as state and federal law
Initiation
A ceremony in which new members are granted lifelong membership privileges in the organization to which they have decided to join.
Legacy
Each organization has its own concept of what it means to be a “legacy.” It is commonly characterized as an initiated member’s immediate family member, such as a sister/brother or daughter/son. Some organizations consider extended family members to be legacies as well.
Line
A term used by culturally based and NPHC organizations to describe a group of new members who were initiated at the same time, similar to those in the same pledge class. They are the organization’s potential new members. Lines are frequently given names.
Line Name/Number
A prospective/new member’s nickname that reflects them as a person, usually a noun, adjective, or acronym. Culturally-based and NPHC organizations also issue new members a line number (such as ace, deuce, tre, etc.) generally based on one’s height.
Neophyte (NEO)
A new member of a culturally based or NPHC organization
New Member
A member of a fraternity or sorority who has not been initiated.
New Member Education Program
A period of learning about fraternity and sorority life prior to initiation. This period varies for all groups
Philanthropy
A charitable fundraiser or service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority
Potential New Member (PNM)
A student who is not yet affiliated with a chapter but is taking part in the recruitment process
Preference
The Panhellenic Council groups’ final event during Fall Formal Recruitment.
Prophyte (PRO)
An older member of a culturally based or NPHC organization
Recruitment/Intake
The process by which fraternities and sororities select and invite potential new members to join their organization.
Ritual
A fraternity or sorority’s customary ceremonies that are generally private and known only to initiated members of a fraternal organization.
Social
A social event or gathering organized by a sorority or fraternity.
Stroll
A dance performed in a line of active members to demonstrate pride in their organization and its beliefs. Organizations typically have national and local strolls that include a range of varied routines and hand signals that are exclusive to that group.
Stepping
A tradition in which members synchronize their moves in order to perform their own moves without the accompaniment of music. Stepping involves members clapping, stomping their feet, jumping, chanting (not to be confused with saluting), and creating their own beat. The NPHC group is known to step, although multicultural Greeks have adopted similar routines.
