Fraternity and Sorority Life Terminology

Member of a fraternity/sorority who has graduated; plural is alumni/alumnae. 

An older member assigned to assist a new member or associate member.

A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority. A student may accept only one. 

A system for matching the choice of the potential member with the choice of the chapter during Panhellenic Formal Recruitment. 

A vocal sound (sometimes high-pitched) used by members of culturally based and NPHC fraternities and sororities to acknowledge one another.

The collegiate group of a local, national, or international fraternity or sorority. Inter/national organizations often give chapters a name, usually a Greek letter or combinations of Greek letters and/or the state. 

An alumna/alumnus who establishes and maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter and serves as a teacher, counselor and friend.

A term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity or sorority in a new organization on the campus. 

The actual date of initiation into a culturally based fraternity or sorority. 

The term for the time when Panhellenic Council sororities may take New Members outside of the formal recruitment process. 

The termination of a new member's or initiated member’s relationship with a Greek-letter organization. 

The University of Kentucky defines hazing as: Any action or situation created by a member of the University Community against another member of the University Community for the purpose of affiliation with a group or organization that:  

• (a) Is negligent or reckless in nature;  

• (b) Is humiliating or endangers an individual; or  

• (c) Unreasonably interferes with scholastic or employment activities.  

Hazing may occur regardless of the individual’s willingness to participate.  

A legal entity holding title to, or leasing, any real property (land and buildings) for a chapter's living/meeting purposes. This alumni body has basic responsibilities relative to property ownership and maintenance. 

A meeting held by a chapter for prospective members who are seeking more information about the organization and how to join. An informational is typically the first step in the Membership Intake process for NPHC Organizations. 

A formal ceremony in which an individual becomes a full member of a fraternity or sorority. 

The student governing body for the inter/national fraternities at UK.  The council is made up of the president of each fraternity chapter and lead by an Executive Council.  The Executive Council is composed of men elected from the member fraternities for 11 positions. 

UK Interfraternity Council

A common way to refer to the larger fraternity or sorority with a chapter on a college campus.  For the business center of these organizations Headquarters, Central Office, or Executive Office is appropriate.  

A student whose mother, father, brother, sister, or grandparent was a member of a particular Greek organization.  Some organizations consider additional relatives such as aunts and uncles in the definition. 

Term for members of an NPHC organization who were initiated at the same time and into the same organization. Lines are ordered and there is terminology for a person’s position in the line.  

Intake is the process by which NPHC organizations take in new members. This process begins with an information meeting or formal rush and concludes with initiation. Each organization does membership intake on their own schedule and not necessarily every semester. Most groups require that you have at least 12 hours of college credit. 

The national group of 26 women’s sororities in North America and the Umbrella Organization for the Panhellenic Council. Representatives from each national sorority meet regularly to advocate for sororities, make common agreements about how Panhellenic sororities should function, and provide resources to collegiate and alumnae members. 

National Panhellenic Conference

Refers both to the local and national coordinating body for historically African-American fraternities and sororities. UK has all 9 of the national organizations. The council at UK is made up of two delegates per organization and Executive Board which includes seven positions.

Kentucky NPHC 

A term used to refer to new members of an NPHC organization. Sometimes abbreviated as Neo. 

A term used to refer to a member of a fraternity or sorority who has accepted a bid but has not participated in the initiation ceremony.  This time is when they get to know the members of the chapter, learn history and symbolism, and develop an understanding for the ideas and principles of the organization. 

The national trade organization of 75 men’s fraternities in North America and the umbrella organization for the Interfraternity Council. Unlike the other umbrella groups this group does not have any governing authority over its members. National representatives meet regularly to advocate for the fraternal experience, and make common agreements about minimum standards for member organizations. 

North-American Interfraternity Conference

This is the unifying, governing, and coordinating body for the sorority system at UK.  The council is composed of two delegates from each sorority and is led by an Executive Council.  The Executive Council is made up of women elected from the member sororities for 18 positions.

Kentucky Panhellenic

Worn by an initiated member of a fraternity or sorority, unique to each organization. 

Group of members of an IFC or PC organization who were initiated at the same time in the same organization

A term used for a student who has shown interest in being recruited by a fraternity or sorority, or who has registered for the formal recruitment process. Aspirant is common among NPHC organizations.  

An entertaining show where newly initiated members of NPHC organization introduce themselves to the community and highlight what they have learned about the organization during their intake process. 

A member of an NPHC organization who has been in the organization long enough to initiate a new line of members.

The number of new members that Panhellenic sororities may accept during formal recruitment. This is determined by the College Panhellenic based on the number of potential members participating in each recruitment period and is not determined until after the Preference round of formal recruitment. 

The time when PC & IFC fraternities and sororities select New Members.  This process is conducted informally throughout the year (COR) and formally in the beginning of the second semester.  Formal recruitment is organized and executed by the IFC and Panhellenic Executive Boards.  Note: The formal recruitment process was previously known as “rush”.  

An upper-class member of a fraternity or sorority, chosen and trained to assist PNMs with recruitment 

A ceremonial event unique to each organization that plays out the ideals and principles of that organization.  They are the same for every chapter of the same fraternity or sorority and are usually the time when students take an oath to uphold the values of that organization. 

An elaborate performance involving dance, marching and the traditional culture of an organization. 

A dance done in a line formation by members of cultural Greek organizations (usually at a party or step show). 

The allowable chapter size as determined by the College Panhellenic. Chapters under this number are allowed to participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB). 

The national or international groups to which University of Kentucky fraternities and sororities belong to; governing councils work on campus. 

A student not in a fraternity or sorority.

This is the governing body for special interest and culturally based fraternities and sororities at the University of Kentucky. The council has five chapters including one fraternity (Beta Upsilon Chi) and five sororities (Delta Phi Lambda Sorority Inc.,Kappa Beta Gamma, Sigma Phi Lambda, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc.). 

United Greek Council