Alumnus -
A fraternity member no longer at college.
Associate Member -
A man who has made a pre-initiation commitment to a fraternity. This term is preferred over the word "pledge".
Bid -
An invitation to membership extended to a prospective member.
Bid Card -
An invitation card offered by a chapter to a prospective member extending membership. This is the official record of the bid.
Chapter -
A group of fraternity members initiated under a common charter.
Chapter Advisor -
An alumnus volunteer appointed by the National President or a fraternity's national office who directly advises a chapter's officers.
Charter -
An official fraternity document which grants authority for a chapter to function and initiate new members.
Dry Rush -
The recruitment of new members without the use of alcohol. This is mandated by most fraternities and is the norm at most colleges.
F.I.P.G. -
An association of national fraternities formed to assist in the management of insurance concerns and risk inhereent in the Greek system.
Formal Rush -
The organized period for the recruitment of new members.
FRMT, Ltd. -
A Bermuda captive insurance company which provides liability insurance to its member fraternities.
Greek Advisor -
A campus staff person who is appointed to oversee the Interfraternity Council and administer campus programs for the greek system. The Greek Advisor at WVU is Ron Justice.
Hazing -
Any act committed toward an associate member which causes mental and/or physical degradation and/or discomfort. Condemned by the national fraternity and illiegal under West Virginia State Law.
Honorary Fraternities -
Fraternities whose members are chosen for academic or leadership achievements.
Housing Corporation -
A group of alumni legally registered to manage the permanent assets of a chapter. These groups typically own a chapter's house and see to the long-range financial planning.
House Manager-
A person paid by a chapter to live in the chapter house and see to the day-to-day management of it. Many chapters have a "House Mother" who fills the House Manager role.
Informal Rush -
The act of recruiting new members continuously during the school year, a highly desirable and important practices.
Initiation -
A spiritually-based ritual which marks the acceptance of a lifetime commitment to a Fraternity.
Interfraternity Council -
A group of fraternity men representing all fraternities on a campus which establishes guidelines for rush and conducts programs to benefit campus chapters. IFC often acts as a liaison group between fraternities and the university.
Leadership Consultant -
A recently-graduated, paid fraternity staff member who travels from chapter to chapter advising on fraternity operations.
Legacy -
A male relative of an initiated member who is rushing. Usually given special consideration as an act of courtesy to the related member.
Nationals -
Fraternity and Sorority members often refer to their national/international headquarters or offices as "Nationals". These offices are responsible for making policies for the individual chapters at different colleges and universities.
Open party -
A social function without a prearranged guest list.
Panhellenic Council -
The governing body for sororities. The equivalent of the men's interfraternity council.
Parlor fee -
A fee assessed to members who do not reside in the chapter house to offset facility expenses.
Philanthropy -
This is a community service project held by a fraternity or sorority or both. WVU Greek students perform a number of these projects each year, and most National Fraternities and Sororities require their chapters to do one large project per year. Our chapters are extremely involved in university and community service participating in such events as MS Walks, community cleanups, events benefiting Cancer Research and also numerous food and clothing drives benefiting needy area residents.
Pledge -
This term is often used by many fraternities instead of the term "associate member".
Prospective Member -
A man considering associate membership in a fraternity. Also called a "rushee".
Recruitment Counselor -
During Fraternity Recruitment each semester, counselors are designated from chapters for the purpose of guiding them through the Recruitment process. Counselors are specially trained and are unbiased members of the Greek community while the Recruitment period is taking place. Throughout the recruitment process, you can rely on these guides to provide you with information on the various opportunities available within each chapter.
Risk Management -
A set of rules which minimize the opportunity for accidents at fraternity functions.
Rituals -
Rituals are activities usually secret in nature, known only to the members of a given fraternity. Rituals are what make a Greek letter organization unique and so often times these activities and the materials used to conduct these activities are held in the strictest of confidence among members.
Rush -
These events occur at the beginning of each semester and function as informative sessions for non-Greeks to get to know the members of our Fraternities. Events are held throughout the course of the week and are meant to give students an opportunity to meet and decide which Fraternity or Sorority they would like to join. Each organization holds activities on designated nights during the week so students can get to know the basics of each organization. Although recruitment week only lasts a week, students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the year and any brother or sister would be happy to answer questions anytime during the year.
Rushee -
A man considering associate membership in a fraternity. Also called a "prospective member".
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