Frequently Used Greek Terms

ACTIVE
An initiated fraternity or sorority member enrolled as an undergraduate student at a college or university.

ALUMNA
A sorority woman who has graduated from her undergraduate institution.

ALUMNI 
A fraternity man who has graduated from his undergraduate institution.

ASSOCIATE
A man or woman who has accepted a bid from an organization and MEMBER begins a new member education program that consists of learning the history, traditions, and goals of the chapter.

BID 
An invitation to a rushee to join a sorority or a fraternity.

DRY RUSH 
The practice of not serving alcoholic beverages at rush functions.

FORMAL RUSH 
A structured set of activities by each Greek Organization during a period of time specified by the Coordinator of Greek Life & Leadership Programs and the Department of Student Life.

FRATERNITY 
An organization of men which is based on the principles of brotherhood.

INDUCTION 
A formal ceremony by which associate members receive full membership privileges.

INITIATION PERIOD
A man or woman who has accepted a bid from a Greek organization, beginning a formal program of learning the history, traditions and goals of that group.  This period of time extends itself no more than 6-8 weeks.

OPEN BIDDING 
A process which an active organization actively recruits potential associate members.  This usually occurs after the formal rush when an organization does not fulfill their expected RUSH quota.

RUSH 
A social experience where mutual choice and selection occurs to determine membership.

RUSHEE 
A male or female student that meets all eligibility requirements to participate in RUSH.

SORORITY  
An organization of women students based on the principles of sisterhood.