Greek Terms to Know

Alumnus/Alumna (Alum for short, and Alumni if you’re talking about more than one alum) – An initiated member who has graduated from college.

Bid: A formal invitation to join a chapter.
Brother/Sister: A term used by active members in a chapter when referring to each other.
Chapter: The collegiate group of a national or local fraternity or sorority.
Formal Rush: A period of structured membership selection.
Greek: Any Member of a Greek letter social organization (sorority or fraternity).
IGC: Inter-Greek Council, a representative government body of all fraternities.
Initiated Member: Any member who has completed the new member process and has gone through the initiation ceremony.
Initiation: A formal ceremony that brings about the transition from a potential new member to initiated member.
Legacy: A person whose parent, sibling, or grandparent is an alumna or active of member of a sorority or fraternity.
Local: A term referring to a chapter only at MHU.
National: A term referring to the central organization of a given fraternity or sorority.
Pin: The member pin is worn on the chest designated an active member of a certain Chapter. A pledge pin is similar and is used to designate on a pledge of a chapter
Potential New Member (Pledge): A person who has accepted an invitation to a chapter and has not yet been initiated.
Pledging (New Member Process): A trail period of adjustment of fraternity or sorority life.
Rushee: An undergraduate college man or woman who participates in rush.