Greek Terms & Definitions
This page lists some common words and terms you may not know if you are unfamiliar with the University Greek System.
Active
An undergraduate member of the Fraternity. An active has gone through the new member education process and has been initiated.
Alumnus
A member of a fraternity who is no longer an undergraduate in college.
Bid
A fraternity's official, written invitation to join its organization.
Big Brother
An active who serves as a mentor for a new member. A Big Brother is selected for each new member during his member education period.
Bylaws
A set of rules determined by the Chapter, which outlines the guidelines and policies to sucessfuly run the Chapter.
Chapter
A chartered group of undergraduate members of a fraternity.
Chapter Meeting
A weekly meeting of all a fraternity's brothers congregating to discuss, debate, and vote on the business and affairs of the Fraternity.
Colony
Status of a group of collegiate members preparing to qualify for official chartering by a fraternity. The John Carroll Colony of Beta Theta Pi is expected to petition for its Charter at the 171st General Convention in August 2010, to be held in Washington, D.C.
Convention
A large meeting of Brothers (usually the Chapter Presidents) from every chapter in Beta's Broad Domain. A Convention is held annually to discuss issues on an international level, as well as to analyze a Colony's qualifications to receive a Charter. The 2009 General Convention was held in Phoenix, AZ, and the 2010 version will be held in Washington, D.C.
Depledge
To quit or drop out of a fraternity during the period between new member induction and initiation (commonly referred to as the "pledge" period).
Dry Recruitment
Bans the use or presence of alcohol or any illegal substance by a fraternity during recruitment season. All Beta Theta Pi Chapters follow this form of Recruitment as part of the Men of Principle Initiative.
Formal Recruitment
Organized during Fall Semester by the Interfraternity Council (IFC), consisting of opportunities for registered men to experience and meet the brothers of the University's fraternities. The official time in which fraternities extend bids to prospective members.
Frat
An unacceptable term for any fraternity in the Greek community.
General Convention
See: Convention.
General Fraternity
A term referring to Beta Theta Pi Fraternity on a national (or international) level.
Hazing
A term used to define actions required of new or active members which may cause psychological, mental, or physical harm or discomfort to the person or persons involved. Beta Theta Pi Fraternity does not stand for any form of hazing.
Informal Recruitment
Organized in the Spring, Informal Recruitment has no dates set by IFC. Each fraternity may specify its own timeline for the bid process.
Initiation
Fraternity Ritual in which new members are granted full knowledge of the Fraternity's lore. Following this ritual, the new members become active brothers.
Interfraternity Council (IFC)
Organization run by the fraternities on campus. The IFC legislature consists of the presidents of each fraternity, as well as an executive board elected from the individual fraternities. The IFC coordinates Formal Recruitment.
Legacy
Active who is a relative of another initiated fraternity brother.
New Member
Status granted to one who has accepted his bid and been inducted, but has not yet become an Active Brother by way of Initiation.
New Member Class
A group of men who received bids during the same recruitment season, and take part in the same new member education process. Classes are denoted by a Greek Letter (in alphabetical order). The Class forming in Fall 2009 will be the "Delta" Class.
Philanthropy
An organization or multiple organizations which are supported through service or fundraising efforts by a fraternity.
Pledge
See: New Member.
Potential New Member
Any non-Greek-affiliated male, particularly one who has shown interest in becoming a new member of the Fraternity.
Ritual
Official ceremony of a fraternity intended to explain the history, lore, laws, signs, symbols, purposes, and standards of the Fraternity.
Sitting on a Bid
The state where a potential new member has received a bid from a fraternity, but has not made a decision whether to accept or decline the bid.
For more terms and definitions, visit the "Greek Vocabulary" page on John Carroll University's Fraternity & Sorority Life website.