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Greek Terminology

Active
An initiated member of a sorority or fraternity; also known as an initiate.
Alumnae(i)
Initiated sorority women (fraternity men) who have completed their work at college. [Alumnus - singular male, Alumni - plural males, Alumna - singular female, Alumnae - plural females]
Bid
An official invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.
Chapter
A branch of a national fraternity or sorority.
Dry recruitment
The rule which forbids the use of alcohol during any Recruitment event for both fraternities and sororities.
Hazing
The illegal practice of a person inflicting any type of abuse (mental or physical) to another person. Lynchburg College and the Commonwealth of Virginia have strict policies against hazing.
IFC Governing council for all NIC fraternities. Known as the Interfraternity Council.
Initiation
A formal ceremony whereby a new member assumes full membership with lifetime benefits and responsibilities.
Legacy
A potential new member's family member who is an alumnus of a fraternity/sorority to which he or she is interested in joining.
New member
A student who has accepted a bid and matriculates through the new member process prior to the initiation.
PC Governing council for all NPC Sororities. Known as Panhellenic Council.
PHC Governing council for all NPHC organizations. Known as Pan-Hellenic Council.
Prospective member Student who participate in the recruitment process.
Ritual
Traditional ceremonies, shared by initiated members of the same fraternity or sorority.
Recruitment
The formal or informal period during which fraternities and sororities invite prospective members learn more about chapter.
Silence
The period of time designated by Panhellenic Council during Recruitment week that no communication is allowed between sorority members and prospective members (for women only).