Active

A fully initiated member of a Greek chapter.

Alum

A member who has graduated.

Bid

A formal invitation to a potential new member to join a chapter.

California Panhellenic Association

CPA is the central coordinating body of all UC Berkeley Panhellenic sororities.

Chapter

The local group which represents a segment of the national organization.

Chapter house:

Where the chapter lives, under certain guidelines.

Continuous Open Recruitment:

COR is the informal period throughout the year when chapters may recruit new members.

Formal Recruitment:

The period set aside for the structured recruitment period.

Fraternity:

A Greek organization for men.

Greek:

A member of a fraternity or sorority.

Initiation:

The time when a pledge or associate is made a full member.

Interfraternity Council:

IFC is the student governing board of all social fraternities.

(Inter)National:

A term referring to the central organization of a given fraternity or sorority.

Multi-Cultural Greek Council:

MCGC is the programming and governing body for multicultural fraternities and sororities which include Latino and Asian-Interest groups.

National Pan-Hellenic Council:

NPHC is the campus coordinating body of historically African American Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities.

New Member:

A member of a greek organization who has not been initiated.

New Member Period:

The time during which new members learn about the fraternity or sorority they are joining.

Panhellenic Association:

PHA is the central coordinating body of all sororities.

Philanthropy:

A Charitable project sponsored by an organization.

Potential New Member:

A person interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority.

Ritual:

Traditional beliefs of a sorority or fraternity.

Recruitment:

The process by which a fraternity or sorority recruits new members.

Sorority:

A Greek organization for women.