Greek Terminology Bid- An invitation to join an IFC fraternity, Panhellenic sorority, or Asian interest organization.

Big- Nickname for big sister or brother. Call A yell used mostly by NPHC & DGC organizations . Used to identify and greet brothers and sisters. Charter- Permission from the national organization to have a chapter. Colony- A new organization that is awaiting official recognition from their national to have a chapter at a campus. Crossed: the same as being initiated. The term means different things to different groups, but generally means crossing over from being a pledge to being a full member. Most groups record this time to the second. Term also refers to Crossing the Burning Sands Depledge- The process where a new member elects, or is asked, to relinquish membership during their pledge period. Founders Day- An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history. Frat A nickname for fraternity or a fraternity brother. IFC members generally find this to be offensive; however NPHC fraternities use it as a mark of respect for each other. Greek Week- An organized week of activities to unite all councils. Handshake or Grip- Is a special handshake unique to each organization. Only initiated members will know the handshake. Inactive Member- A member who has elected to become inactive in sorority or fraternity life. Independent or GDI- Term for a student that isn't a member of a Greek organization. Little/Lil- Nickname for a Big's new member that they mentor. Line An NPHC & DGC term somewhat equal to a pledge class. They are the potential new members of the organization. Lines are often given names.

Mixer/Exchange/Social- A party between a sorority and fraternity, or several fraternities and sororities, often involving themes or games. NALFO - National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for Latino Greek Letter Organizations. NMGC National Multicultural Greek Council is an umbrella council for a coalition of Multicultural Greek-letter organizations established in 1998. Neophyte Neo- New member of a DGC or NPHC organization. NIC- Stands for North American Interfraternity Conference, and is the national coordinating body of all the men's fraternities. NPC- The National Panhellenic Council is the organization that governs the 26 national women's sororities. NPHC- The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the 9 traditionally African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine. Number 1) Your line number, either given based off the number of individuals in your chapter, or the number of line brothers or sisters. 2) A bond between members of different lines or orgs with the same number (ie. Ace, deuce, etc.) On the Yard an NPHC phrase meaning that a chapter is currently chartered on campus. Probate Show: The introduction of a line to campus. This is usually the first full step show/exhibition performed by members of the new member class of a NPHC or culturalbased Greek organization. Prophyte An older member of a DGC or NPHC organization. Ritual A secret ceremony of a Greek organization. Ritual elements are sacred to each sorority and fraternity and have been handed down through the generations. Only initiate members may be privy to rituals. Recruitment- The process where sororities and fraternities get new members. Potential new members visit each organization and are invited to events . This process helps members of each organization choose new members. The old term is rush, which is still used by the fraternities. The formal name is Formal Recruitment. Sands - An NPHC & DGC orgs term for members of your new member class. Comes from the phrase "cross the burning sands" which means to cross over (Become initiated) into full membership.

Signs a unique display expressed by hand symbols used by NPHC and DGC organizations. Social Fellowship - A non-Greek fraternal organization. Soror - Term used by NPHC sorority members towards one another. Stepping: A historically black tradition characterized by synchronized hand foot movements, along with singing, dancing, chanting, and acting. Many Latino/Latina and Multicultural groups participate in stepping as well. Stroll (aka Party Walk, Party Hop): A line dance done by members of cultural Greek organizations; usually done at a party or step show. Surfacing: The first public appearance of a line. More widely used post-1990 by Latino organizations that maintain an aboveground pledge program. Syands Asian Interest Orgs term for members of your new member class. Means Same Year AND Semester. TeeKee: the large necklace worn with large Greek letters on them. Similar to a lavaliere but much larger and often made out of wood.