Active: A fully initiated member of a fraternity or sorority.
Alumnus/Alumna: An initiated member who has graduated from college.
Badge: The pin of an initiated member, received during the initiation ceremony and worn in a designated location.
Bid: An invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.
Brother: A term used by fraternity members when referring to each other.
Chapter: Refers to a fraternity/sorority organization recognized by both the inter/national organization and UC Merced.
Colony: A newly established fraternity/sorority organization with inter/national affiliation that is recognized by the university, but has yet to receive chapter status.
Exchange/Mixer/Function: A social event held between two or more fraternity/sorority organizations.
Expansion: A student-generated approach to starting a new fraternity/sorority organization, which includes the review of interest groups by the appropriate parties.
Formal Recruitment: The period set aside annually for the structured recruitment period.
Fraternity: A name applied to all Greek-letter organizations, but specifically men's groups.
Fraternity & Sorority Council: The governing body that represents all recognized fraternities and sororities at UC Merced.
Greek: A member of a fraternity or sorority.
Greek Week: An annual celebration held during the spring semester in which chapters participate in athletic events, community service, brotherhood and sisterhood activities, an award ceremony, and various social events.
Hazing: Any activity that has the potential to harm a member physically, mentally or emotionally.
Initiation: The sacred ritual that brings the non-initiated member into full membership.
Interest Group: A group of students who have registered as an RCO with the intention of becoming a recognized fraternity/sorority organization.
Inter/National Organization/Headquarters/Executive Office: The central organization of a sorority or fraternity.
Legacy: A student who is a daughter/son, sister/brother, or grandchild of a member of a Greek-letter organization.
New Member/Associate/Pledge: A non-initiated member of a fraternity or sorority.
New Member/Pledgeship/Pledge Period: A trial period of learning about fraternity/sorority history, customs, and ideals.
Philanthropy: Community service or fundraising in an effort to promote human welfare.
Potential New Member: An eligible man or woman who is interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Quota: The number of members to whom each sorority/fraternity may extend bids at the conclusion of formal recruitment.
Recruitment: The process of getting to know about fraternity and sorority life.
Recruitment Counselor: A representative from a sorority/fraternity that aids Potential New Members in navigating the formal recruitment process.
Ritual: The traditional, secret initiation ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority.
Sister: A term used by sorority members when referring to each other.
Sorority: A Greek-letter organization for women.
