GLOSSARY

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I realize that not everyone is familiar with the ins and outs of university life in the US, especially in regards to fraternities, so this glossary is for your benefit! reference this as needed!

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I realize that not everyone is familiar with the ins and outs of university life in the US, especially in regards to fraternities, so this glossary is for your benefit! reference this as needed!

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RA An abbreviation for "resident assistant" or "resident advisor", a peer leader who supervises those living in a dormitory or residence hall at a university. 

Greek life The umbrella term for fraternities and sororities.

Rush The process of recruitment to a fraternity or sorority. In this process, current active  members determine whether or not a person is a good fit for their organization.

Bid  An offer to become a pledge (see below) of a fraternity or sorority.

Pledge A probationary member of a fraternity or sorority; a person who has just been accepted into a fraternity or a sorority. Also called a new member.

Pledge class • A group of probationary/new members who were accepted into a fraternity or sorority at the same time or in the same semester/year.

Pledging The act of seeking membership into a fraternity/sorority.

Pledge pin A pin given to (and sometimes worn by) pledges for the duration of the pledging period to denote their status as a pledge. If a pin is "pulled" this means the pledge is no longer part of the pledging process and unwelcome in the organization. 

Brother/Sister • An initiated member of a fraternity/sorority.

Active  An initiated, undergraduate current member of a fraternity or sorority. After graduation, you become an alumnus/alumna of the organization. 

Unaffiliated • Someone not affiliated with or a part of Greek life (someone not in a fraternity or sorority)

GDI/God Damn Independent Someone not affiliated with Greek life. Typically insinuates that this person has a disdain for Greek life, and would not want to be involved with it.

Sorostitute A slur used for a woman involved with a sorority who is perceived to be promiscuous.

House Rat/Frat Rat • A woman who is commonly seen around a fraternity house, and may or may not have slept with (or "hooked up" with in some way, shape, or form) one or more of the brothers.

Fraternity/Sorority House or Townhouse • Where some or all of the members of a fraternity or sorority live during the school year. Typically on the campus of the university, but sometimes can be located off campus. Most schools reserve the right to kick certain groups off campus if rules have been broken (i.e. numerous citations of underage drinking, endangering minors, hazing, sexual assault, noise complaints, etc.)

Greek Row A section on a university campus (like a street, a block, etc.) where the majority of fraternity or sorority houses are located.

Haze/Hazing • Initiation rituals that are typically humiliating and/or dangerous. Hazing is illegal, but many organizations and groups still engage in it in order to see if potential new members are truly committed to joining.

Chapter • A national sorority or fraternity—meaning their organization is present at more than one university in the country—has a "chapter" or group at each university they are a part of. That group is referred to as that university's "chapter" of that specific sorority/fraternity. Chapter is also shorthand for "chapter meeting" where members of that sorority/fraternity meet (typically weekly) to discuss matters regarding the organization.

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