Alumna (feminine) - a sorority member who is no longer a member of a collegiate chapter; plural is alumnae

Alumnus (masculine) – a fraternity member who is no longer a member of a collegiate chapter

Bid – a formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority

Chapter - a membership unit of a national or international fraternity or sorority

Dirty Rushing - recruitment practices conducted during the formal membership recruitment period inconsistent with the Inter-Fraternity Council or Panhellenic Council rules

Formal Membership Recruitment - a designated membership recruitment period during which a series of organized events is held by each chapter; membership recruitment is organized by the Inter-Fraternity Council or Panhellenic Council. Historically referred to as “Rush”

Formal Membership Education – a College-specified period of time following recruitment in which new members learn about the history and culture of the chapter they have pledged themselves to.

Fraternity - a Greek letter sisterhood or brotherhood

Initiate – a full, initiated member of the chapter

Initiation - ritualistic ceremony during which new members receive life long membership privileges

New Member - a student who has accepted a chapter bid but is not yet an initiated member

Pledge - promise made by a new member

Potential New Member (PNM) - any student interested in becoming a chapter member who is matriculated and eligible according to published requirements

Preferential Bidding - a system used at the conclusion of formal membership recruitment to match sorority and potential member preferences

Pref Night - the final night of the formal membership recruitment period during which a prospective member signs Membership Recruitment Acceptance Card and chapters participate in Preferential Bidding