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WHAT DID YOU SAY?
A glossary of Greek Terms
Active: an initiated fraternity or sorority member who is affiliated with a campus chapter.
Alumna: a graduated member of a women's sorority/fraternity (plural: alumnae)
Alumnus: a graduated member of a men's fraternity (plural: alumni)
Badge: the badge of an initiated member is received during the initiation ceremony and worn in a designated location.
Bid: a formal invitation for membership from a Greek-letter organization
Big Brother/Sister: an initiated member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a sponsor, advisor, or friend to a new member, guiding them throw their new member program or initiation.
Brother: a term used by fraternity members to refer to one another.
Chapter: a term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity or sorority
Colony: a term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity or sorority in a new organization on the campus.
Dues: monthly or semester costs of being in a fraternity or sorority
Greeks: a term applied to members affiliated with Greek-letter organizations
Greek Week: in the spring semester when the members of the Delaware fraternities and sororities come together for a variety of community service projects and events that celebrate the Greek community. Traditionally, the fraternities and sororities are put into teams that compete for points to determine the Greek Week champions. Points are awarded for winning events, having the highest participation, and contributing most to the community.
Initiation: a traditional, secret ceremony that brings a new member into full Greek membership.
Leadership and Development: year-round events include retreats, leadership programs and speakers, officer transition and training, and orientation to fraternity and sorority life for all sorority members, not just executive positions.
Legacy: a potential member whose family member is a member of a fraternity or sorority
New Member: a potential member who has accepted a bid from a fraternity or sorority
Order of Omega: junior and senior intiated members of a fraternity or sorority and have attained a high standard of leadership and scholarship in the Greek community
Philanthropy: each Greek chapter on campus has its own philanthropy that they spend all year fundraising for. Many campus-wide events are held for these philanthropies, including sports tournaments, speakers, and more.
Potential New Member: an individual interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Quota: the number of women to whom each sorority may extend bids.
Recruitment: refers to the process by which chapters select new members.
Rho Gamma: an abbreviation for recruitment counselor - a sorority member who has no contact with her own chapter during formal recruitment and is available to guide women through the recruitment process.
Ritual: the traditional, secret ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority.
Sister: a term used by sorority members to refer to one another.
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