Greek Dictionary

Alumnae

Member of a sorority who has graduated.

Alumni

Member of a fraternity who has graduated.

Bid

An invitation to join a fraternity or a sorority. A student can accept only one.

Brotherhood Guide

A Brotherhood Guide is an Interfraternity Council man that guides and supports potential new members through the recruitment process.

Chapter

A term used to refer to undergraduate fraternity or sorority students in a particular Greek organization. This term is also used nationally to distinguish one group of students on a particular campus from those on another campus. Many national groups give their chapters names such as a Greek letter, or a combination of letters, or a Greek letter and a state. Examples are Ohio Epsilon or Delta Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Crossing

A term used by NPHC groups to indicate that a new member has been fully initiated into the group. May also use the term "cross the sands."

Fraternity

A group of men bonded together by their ritual that contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.

Gamma Sigma Alpha - National Greek Academic Honor Society

Gamma Sigma Alpha is committed to the leadership, academic achievement, and excellence of Greek members everywhere. Students must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and junior or senior status. Applications are accepted each semester, with applicants who meet the criteria automatically granted membership. A one-time fee is charged, for which members receive a certificate and a pin.

Ice Breaker

Term used by NPHC groups to describe a dance held on the BGSU campus for members and invited guests. Normally about one such event is held every other week. These are a social outlet for students on the campus and a source of revenue for the hosting group.

Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)

Governing council or umbrella organization for the Greek groups not part of the other three councils.

InterFraternity Council (IFC)

The governing body of the usually NIC fraternities on a particular campus.

Intake (IMIP)

The term NPHC groups use when they bring new members into their organization. Each NPHC group (there are 7 groups at BGSU and 9 nationally) determines when they will conduct intake, and thus no two NPHC groups will conduct intake together. Each group is assisted in this process by their Graduate Chapter (a group of alumni in the BG/Toledo area). In general, NPHC groups require sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA for someone to go through intake.

Line

Being "on line" is a term for when a student is joining an NPHC group. In 1990 all nine NPHC groups prohibited "pledging" and began a process called intake (see definition above).

Legacy

Someone whose mother, father, sister or brother, are members of a particular group. Some consider an aunt or an uncle a legacy also.

National Organizations NPC (National Panhellenic Conference)

The national group of 26 women's sororities in North America. Representatives from each national sorority get together to support and promote sororities across North America.

NIC (North American Interfraternity Conference)

The national group of 62 men's fraternities in North America. Representatives from each national fraternity get together to promote fraternities across the country. They work to promote fraternities and Greek Life.

NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council)

The umbrella organization for the  African-American fraternities and sororities.

New Member

A term used to refer to a new member of a fraternity or a sorority. After the recruitment period, new members learn the history of their national and local chapters, learn the ideals and principles of the group, get to know their fellow new members and get to know the initiated members.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The governing body for the 7 historically African-American fraternities and sororities at BGSU.

Order of Omega - National Greek Leadership Honor Society

Limited to top 3% of Greeks at BGSU. Must have a GPA at or greater then Greek GPA, junior or senior status, significant leadership and service to the campus and the Greek community. Applications are accepted each semester, with the current student members selecting the new members. Students that are selected pay a one-time fee, for which they receive a certificate and a pin. Order of Omega also selects Honor Initiates each semester. This person must have given significantly for the improvement of the BGSU Greek Community.

Panhellenic Council (NPC)

The governing body for the sororities at a particular campus.

Plot

A section of the campus where NPHC groups have sections to display their symbols. This area acts as a place where undergraduates and graduates (alumni) gather when on the campus.

PNM

A potential new member through the recruitment process.

Coming Out Show

A term used by NPHC groups to designate the time when new members of such groups come out to the campus. Those joining an NPHC group are generally not known and thus it is a time when the new members are revealed. Typically stepping is demonstrated as well as testimonials from the new members. Parents and other students are generally in attendance.

Quota

Quota is the number that each Panhellenic sorority may extend bids to during the formal recruitment process.  Quota is set on the last day of formal recruitment.

Regional Organizations

Note: the country is divided up into 4 sections (Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, and West). Each section has a conference for Greek students and in February or March. We belong to the Mid-American region. Mid-American Greek Council Association organized to provide advice and support for fraternity and sorority councils throughout the region. A Thursday - Saturday Leadership Conference is held in February that is attended by fraternity and sorority members and advisors from the Midwest. MGCA is inclusive of all fraternity and sorority chapters from IFC, Multicultural Councils, NPHC, and Panhellenic.

Recruitment (a.k.a. Rush)

The time when fraternities and sororities recruit new members. The IFC participates in two different styles of recruitment during the academic school year. Panhellenic sororities usually recruit early in the fall semester (although not all groups participate in this process). For NPHC groups, they  "intake" (recruit) when each chapter decides and conducts recruitment separately. IGC groups hold open recruitment events throughout each semester at their discretion.

Rho Gamma

A Rho Gamma, also known as a Recruitment Guide, is a Panhellenic woman who has temporarily disaffiliated from her chapter and is a neutral representative of Panhellenic who guides and supports potential new members through the recruitment process.

Sorority

A group of women bonded together by their ritual that contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.

Stepshow

The NPHC sponsors a Stepshow in conjunction with Greek Week. The show has been a large success and attendance is usually very large. 

Total

Total is the allowable chapter size, including both new and initiated members, as determined by the College Panhellenic.

Yard

A term used by NPHC groups to indicate the campus. Use in phrases such as which groups are on the yard, meaning which groups are on the campus.