Terminology

ACTIVE – a fully initiated undergraduate member of a fraternity or sorority.

ALUMNUS/ALUMNA – an initiated member who has graduated from college.

BADGE/PIN – the pin of an initiated member. Many new members also wear a version of this called a new member pin prior to initiation.

BID – an invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.

BIG BROTHER OR SISTER – an active member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a sponsor, advisor and special friend to a new member, guiding them through their new member program
and initiation. 

BROTHER/SISTER – a term used by active members in a chapter when referring to each other.

CHAPTER – the local group at an individual campus of the larger national organization, designated by a special Greek name.

DEPLEDGE – to terminate one’s fraternity or sorority membership before initiation; those who depledge a fraternity or sorority may not pledge another fraternity or sorority until the next recruitment period.

FORMAL RECRUITMENT – the period of time in early spring semester where Panhellenic and IFC chapters get to know potential new members and offer bids. This is the time when first year students can be offered bids from a chapter.

FRATERNITY – the name that applies to all Greek letter organizations characterized by a ritual, pin and strong ties to friendship and moral principles. Informally, many women’s fraternities are called sororities.

GREEK – historical term describing any member of a Greek letter social organization (fraternity or sorority).

INFORMAL RECRUITMENT – all dates and times other than those of formal recruitment, during which chapters may offer bids to students beyond their second semester.

INITIATED MEMBER – any member who has completed the new member process, has gone through the initiation ceremony and is currently enrolled in college.

INITIATION – the formal ceremony that marks the beginning of chapter membership. Each chapter has a different set of requirements in order to be initiated.

INTAKE – the process MGC and NPHC chapters conduct to recruit, interview, and choose new members.

INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL (IFC) – the governing body of fraternities at Miami University. IFC operates under the affiliation requirements of the National Interfraternity Council (NIC).

INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS – the central organization of a particular fraternity or sorority.

MGC (MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL) – the umbrella organization of Miami University’s four culturally-based organizations. MGC is the supporting organization to all represented chapters and their operations individually and collectively.

NEW MEMBER – a member of a fraternity or sorority who has not been initiated.

NEW MEMBER EDUCATION PROGRAM – time during which new members learn the history, ideals and values of fraternity and sorority life and of their individual chapter.

NIC (North-American Interfraternity Conference) – governing body of 70 national member men’s fraternites and alumni associations.

NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) – a national organization composed of 26 member sororities, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek letter society composed of both undergraduates and alumnae.

NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) – a national organization composed of four sororities and five fraternities whose membership is historically African-American, and locally the supporting council for seven of these groups.

OPEN HOUSE – part of IFC fraternity recruitment, when potential members are given a chance to see all the participating chapters.

PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION – the representative governing body of all sororities. The Panhellenic Council operates under the direction of the National Panhellenic Council (NPC). 

PHILANTHROPY – a charitable project to raise money for an organization or foundation sponsored by fraternities and sororities.

POTENTIAL NEW MEMBER – a college student who is participating in the recruitment process.

QUOTA – the specified number of potential new members to which each Panhellenic sorority may extend a bid.

RECRUITMENT – the process of mutual selection between prospective members and active chapters.

RECRUITMENT GUIDE / RHO GAMMA – sorority women that assist potential members through the Panhellenic formal recruitment process by providing information about the fraternity and sorority community, answering their questions, and being a supportive guide during the recruitment period.

RITUAL – a ceremonial event, unique to each chapter, based on ideals established by the chapter’s founding members.

SOCIAL – a get-together with another group for a party, dinner or other occasion.

SORORITY – a fraternity for women.

SPRITE DATES – a weekend in the Fall semester where potential new members can meet women in recruiting Panhellenic chapters before formal recruitment in the spring.

SUITE – room where sorority chapters hold meetings, study and socialize. MGC, NPHC, and Panhellenic sororities have suites located in the Sorority LLC on Central Quad.

An “unrecognized” Fraternity or Sorority is one which may choose to exist “off campus” and does not follow university policies and regulations. These organizations are not permitted to use university facilities, post flyers, or have any of the privileges recognized organizations have earned. A list of all current organizations that are not recognized by Miami University or any of the Greek Governing Councils can be found on the Fraternity and Sorority website: MiamiOH.edu/FSLL