Fraternities and Sororities have their own vocabulary which many have labeled as “Greek Speak.”  To assist you in what some of these words mean, we’ve included a glossary for you to look over.

Badge: The formal pin of an initiated member

Bid: An invitation to join a fraternity or sorority

Bid Day: The final day of recruitment when some potential new members receive an invitation to join.

Big: Short for “big sister” or “big brother”; an active member who serves as a mentor for newer members

Building Blocks: Training sessions on different topics related to fraternity and sorority life

Chapter: A membership unity of a national or international fraternity or sorority

Convocation: The welcome ceremony for all New Members and the kickoff to New Member Academy

Initiation: A ritualistic ceremony during which new members receive lifelong membership privileges

Interfraternity Council (IFC): Central governing body of the fraternities that provides service to chapters, brings the community together, and holds chapters accountable for policy violations.

Legacy: A student whose mother/father, aunt/uncle, grandmother/grandfather, or brother/sister was a member of a particular sorority at Behrend.

Little: Short for “little sister” or “little brother”; a newer member who is mentored by an older member of the organizatioin

Mutual Selection(Sorority): The selection process during the formal recruitment process when the potential members choose the chapters and the chapters choose the potential members.

New Member: A student who has accepted an invitation to join a fraternity or sorority but is in the education process before initiation.   Also known as an Associate Member.

New Member Academy: An 8 week training session for the new members that is sponsored by the University to learn the various aspects of fraternity and sorority life as well as student life at Behrend

New Member Education: A period of education on the history, ideals, and values of a fraternity or sorority prior to initiation.

Panhellenic Council (Panhel): Central governing body of the sororities that organizes recruitment, offers service to the chapters, and holds their chapters accountable for policy violations.

Pledge: see New Member.  The term “pledge” is an older term that is being phased out due to its negative connotation to hazing.

Potential New Member: A student who is willing and eligible to become a member of a fraternity or sorority.

President’s Council: A meeting with all group presidents to develop their leadership skills and work with each other to help with any problems in their organizations.

Rho Gamma(Sororities): A Panhellenic representative who has no contact with their own chapter during membership recruitment and is available to guide potential new members through the recruitment process.

Greek Alphabet