Active: a formal initiated member of a fraternity or sorority
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Alumnae: a sorority member who has graduated from college
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Alumnus: a fraternity member who has graduated from college
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Badge (pin): the insignia that designates your Greek organization
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Bid: a formal invitation to join a Greek organization
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Big Brother/Big Sister: An active member assigned to be the personal mentor for a new member.
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Brother: a term used when referring to other members of a Fraternity
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Call/Chant: A vocal sound (sometimes high-pitched) used by members of cultural based Greek organizations to acknowledge one another
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Chapter: name for the local organization of a national fraternity/sorority
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Chapter Advisor: An alumnus/alumnae or faculty/staff member who serves in an advisory role to provide guidance to the organization.
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Colony: A newly formed affiliate of a national organization that has not yet received its charter. The members of a colony are referred to as "founders."
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Crossed: The actual date of initiation into a cultural Greek organization. The term is used to represent the symbolic 鈥渃rossing of the burning sands鈥�
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Fraternity: a Greek organization for men
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Greek: a member of a fraternity or sorority
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Hazing: Mental or physical abuse or harassment of a member. Hazing is prohibited by university policy, State law, and the policies of national fraternities and sororities.
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Intake: The membership recruitment and induction process for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (historically African-American fraternities and sororities)
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Initiation: the traditional ritual, which brings the new member into full membership
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Legacy: a prospective member who has a family member in the same fraternity or sorority
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Line: The members of a cultural Greek organization new member class.
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Neophyte: A new member of a cultural Greek organization.
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New Member/Associate: a member who has not been initiated (Some organizations use other terms such as PLEDGE, ASSOCIATE, CANDIDATE, OR LINE BROTHER/SISTER) - One who has been accepted as a probationary member of a sorority or fraternity but has not yet been initiated. Collectively, the New Members who join the same semester are called the NEW MEMBER CLASS OR PLEDGE CLASS.
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New Member Education Process: The time period in which candidates for active membership (or new members) learn about the organization and participate in brotherhood/sisterhood activities.
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New Member Pin: a pin that designates a new member of a Greek organization
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New Member Recruitment: the continual process of recruiting members for a Greek organization (usually IFC and PHC)
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Philanthropy: the chapter's specific charitable organization(s) that they donate money and volunteer hours
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Recruitment (sometimes called RUSH): The membership recruitment process. Potential New Members are sometimes referred to as RUSHEES.
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Recruitment Counselor/Rho Sigma: a disaffiliated member of an organization who assists potential members through the recruitment process (only in Panhellenic sororities).
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Ritual: the traditional ceremonies of a chapter, which are usually secret
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Potential New Member (PNM): a term for men or women being recruited by a Greek organization; anyone not affiliated with a Greek organization is a PNM
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Sister: a term used when referring to other members of a sorority
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Sorority: a Greek organization for women
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Strict Silence: not discussing recruitment with non-sorority members outside of the recruitment events
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Stroll/Step Show: A line dance done by members of cultural Greek organizations (usually at a party or step show)