Greek Affairs

Greek Definitions

active

A fully initiated member of a fraternity or sorority.

alumni

An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority no longer enrolled as an undergraduate student.

bid

An invitation to membership from a Greek letter organization to a rushee.

brother

An initiated member of a fraternity.

chapter

The local collegiate membership of a national fraternity.

dry rush

The practice of not serving alcoholic beverages at any University at Buffalo rush functions.

Greek

A member of a fraternity or sorority.

initiation

The traditional ritual which brings the pledge into full membership in the fraternity.

intake

Process for which prospective members are educated about a chapter's history, organization, and community service. It is the initial procedure for some historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

legacy

A rushee whose parents or siblings were a member of the same fraternity/sorority that they are pursuing.

local

A group existing only at UB and/or local schools, not affiliated with a National organization.

new member

An individual who has accepted a bid and is engaged in preparing for initiation. During the 6-week member education period, new members are instructed in the rites and rituals of full membership.

ritual

An activity which bonds the organization together and is traditionally secretive.

rush

The period of time for membership recruitment by Greek organizations. An opportunity for non-Greek students to learn about individual organizations and their membership.

rushee

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

sister

An initiated member of a sorority.