Mansfield University Home Page“It’s All Greek to Me”
We realize that Greek jargon may be a bit confusing, so we’ve come up with a “quick reference” Greek glossary to assist you.
| Active: | An undergraduate chapter member who has completed new member education requirements and has been initiated by the chapter |
| Alumni: | Members who have completed their undergraduate degree |
| Bid: | An invitation to associate with a Greek organization |
| Chapter: | A campus group of an Inter/National Greek-letter organization |
| Formal Recruitment: | For women, a period of membership recruitment events which are scheduled and regulated by the Panhellenic Council |
| Fraternity: | Formally, the name applied to all Greek-letter organizations characterized by a ritual, pin, and strong tie of friendship; for men or women; Informally, a Greek brotherhood |
| Greek: | A member of a an organization that bears a Greek-letter name |
| Hazing: | Unethical, illegal and forbidden membership activities; anything that is dangerous, demeaning, demoralizing and/or degrading to the emotional or physical well-being of an individual or group, which is used for the purpose of admission into an organization or to maintain membership |
| Inter-fraternity Council: | The governing body of the fraternities for men, represented by at least two delegates from each chapter; referred to as "IFC" |
| Legacy: | For women, one whose mother, sister, grandmother or half-sister is an alumna or active member of a Greek-letter organization |
| Associate/New Member: | One who has accepted a bid from a chapter and begins an orientation and education program to learn the history, traditions and ideals of the Greek-letter organization; an 'association' expires if not initiated within one year of its start. |
| Panhellenic Council: | The governing body of the fraternities for women, represented by two delegates from each chapter, informally referred to as 'Panhel' |
| Potential New Member: | A non-Greek undergraduate who is participating in recruitment activities |
| Preference Card: | For women, a form signed by the potential new member at the conclusion of formal recruitment events, on which she indicates, in order of preference, the chapters from which she will accept a bid |
| Quota: | For women, the number each chapter may bid at the conclusion of the recruitment period. |
| Silence Period: | For women, a period of time during which communication between chapter members and potential new members is strictly prohibited |
| Total: | For women, the allowable chapter size (active members + associates) as determined by the Panhellenic Council |