Greek organizations use phrases and words to describe various aspects of Fraternity & Sorority Life. Below is a sample of the terminology with definitions, used by members of Greek Organizations
Membership Terms
| Active Member | A fully initiated member of a fraternity/sorority with full chapter privileges and responsibilities. |
| Alumni Member | A graduated Greek member from the University of La Verne, or other campus. |
| New Member (informal: pledge) | A student who has accepted a bid from a fraternity/sorority. After a period of education, new members may be initiated. This period is referred to as pledging, associate or new membership education depending on the fraternity/sorority. |
| Potential New Member (PNM) | A person interested in becoming a member of a fraternity/sorority. |
Recruitment/Intake Terms
| Bid | Official invitation to join a fraternity/sorority. |
| Initiation | The tradition ritual that brings a new member into active membership of a fraternity or sorority. |
| Intake | how historically Black fraternities and sororities select and educate new members. It’s a structured, confidential path to learn the organization’s history, values, and community service, requiring strong academic standing (GPA), community involvement, and commitment. |
| Legacy | A potential new member whose family member is already a member of that fraternity/sorority. |
| New Member Class/Line |
A group of individuals who are selected to become inducted/initiated into a particular sorority/fraternity.
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| Recruitment/Rush | The period at the beginning of the semester during which fraternity and sorority members meet potential new members and acquire new members through the Bid process. |
| Ritual | The traditional beliefs of a fraternity or sorority. |
| Sigma Rho Chi | CPH Sorority Recruitment Counselors who are available to answer questions a potential member may have about recruitment. These women have temporarily disaffiliated from her chapter to provide objective advice and support to potential new members. |
| Silence Period | The period of time between the end of Recruitment and Bid Day where there is no communication between Potential New Members and CPH/IFC Members. |
Organization Terms
| Big Brother/Sister | An active member chosen to assist and advise a new member. |
| Black Greek Letter Organizations | The representative body encompassing the historically Black fraternities and sororities. |
| Brother | A term used by initiated members of a fraternity when referring to one another. |
| Campus Advisor | A full-time University faculty or staff member that assists the organization with issues related to the university. |
| Chapter | Local group which represents a segment of a local or national organization. |
| City-Wide Chapter |
A unified collegiate chapter of a fraternity or sorority that has members from two or more different colleges or universities within the same area, operating under one charter, constitution, and set of officers instead of separate campus chapters. |
| College Panhellenic Association (CPH) |
The representative body governing sororities at the University of La Verne. |
| Fraternity | A Greek organization for men. A full-time University of La Verne staff member who oversees all the programs included within Greek life. |
| FSL Week | A week-long friendly competition between recognized Greek organization at ULV during the spring semester. |
| Greek Advisor | A full-time University of La Verne staff member who oversees all the programs included within Fraternity & Sorority Life. |
| Interfraternity Council (IFC) |
The representative body governing fraternities at the University of La Verne. |
| National Organizations | Fraternity/Sorority with chapters located at various Colleges/Universities across the nation. |
| Order of Omega | The national Greek leadership honor organization. |
| Pin | The active pin or badge, worn on the chest designating an active member of a fraternity/sorority. |
| Philanthropy | Programs or events sponsored by Greek organizations as a way to give back to the community, programs or events sponsored by Greek organizations. Usually, these are funraisers and donation collections. |
| Sister | A term used by initiated members of a sorority when referring to one another. |
| Sorority | A Greek organization for women. |