Greek Facts

The Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Missouri has compiled the following information about Greek Life:

• Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni have higher average incomes than non-Greek alumni.
• Even when accounting for parents' educational levels, graduation year, and gender, students who were affiliated with fraternities and sororities have higher average incomes following graduation.
• Students who join fraternities and sororities are more likely to return to college the following year.
• Students who join fraternities and sororities are 28% more likely to return to school the following year than students who choose not to join.
• Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni are involved in more civic organizations and contribute more financially to charitable organizations than non-Greek alumni.
• Fraternity and sorority involvement correlates positively with citizen involvement and charitable giving later in life.

Greek Glossary

ACTIVE

An initiated, dues-paying member of a fraternity or sorority who is enrolled in school.

ALUMNA

An initiated member of a sorority who is no longer in college (plural: alumnae).

ALUMNUS

An initiated member of a fraternity who is no longer in college (plural: alumni).

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

A pledge or associate of a chapter who has not been initiated.

BID

A formal invitation to pledge a sorority or fraternity.

BIG BROTHER OR SISTER

An older member assigned to assist a new member or associate member.

BROTHER

A term used within men's fraternities when referring to other members.

CHAPTER

The campus group of a national/international organization. Many national groups give their chapters names that include a Greek letter, combination of letters, or a Greek letter and a state. For example, CT Alpha is the chapter name of Sigma Phi Epsilon at UConn, and Lambda Tau is the chapter name of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., incorporating student members from UConn.

CHAPTER HOUSE

The structure in which 15 to 30 members of a chapter reside.

COLONY

A newly organized group working toward becoming a chartered chapter.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

An event where chapter members offer their time to assist members or an agency in the community.

FORMAL RUSH/RECRUITMENT

Period set aside for mutual membership selection.

INDUCTION

The process through which some MGC chapters orient new members to the rights and responsibilities of membership.

INFORMAL/OPEN RUSH

Recruitment process by which fraternities and sororities invite members throughout the academic year.

INTAKE

The process through which NPHC chapters orient new members to the rights and responsibilities of membership. In general, NPHC organizations require sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA for someone to participate in intake.

INTEREST GROUP

Refers to a group of students considering pursuing either membership in an MGC organization or beginning an entirely new chapter of an organization not currently registered on campus.

INITIATION

The formal ceremony in which a new member or associate member becomes an active member.

LEGACY

The son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter, or brother/sister of an initiated member.

NEW MEMBER

A member of a sorority or fraternity who has not been initiated.

NEW MEMBER PROGRAM

A time before initiation during which new members learn about their fraternity or sorority, its members, activities, and responsibilities.

PHILANTHROPY

A fund-raising project sponsored by fraternities or sororities supporting various local and national agencies.

RECOMMENDATION

A letter written by a friend or family member introducing a perspective new member to a Greek organization.

RECRUITMENT (a.k.a. RUSH)

The time when fraternities and sororities recruit new members. IFC fraternities usually recruit during the first three weeks each semester. MGC and NPHC chapters generally conduct intake or induction during the spring semester. Panhellenic sororities usually recruit during the first three weeks of the fall semester.

SISTER

A term used within women's fraternities when referring to other members.

QUOTA

The number of women, determined by Panhellenic, which any sorority may pledge during a specified time: A formula that factors the number of perspective new members participating in formal recruitment, the number of chapters, and the retention rate from previous years.

SALUTE

A creative form of cultural expression by some Latino and multicultural fraternities and sororities involving a chant and walking in unison.

STEPPING

A creative and unique form of artistic dance and musical entertainment unique to some culturally based fraternities and sororities, especially those of an African American heritage.

STROLL

An informal form of stepping.

TOTAL

The maximum number of membership, determined by Panhellenic, that any member sorority is permitted during the year. Currently the Total at UConn is 60, and many sororities exceed that number following formal recruitment in the fall.