Greek Terms
- Sorority - A group of women bonded together by their ritual that contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.
- Fraternity - A group of men bonded together by their ritual that contains the founding principles, ideals, and aspirations of the group. Due to their historical beginnings, some women's organizations are officially referred to as fraternities as well.
- Active - An initiated collegiate member who is currently paying dues to an undergraduate chapter.
- New Member - A woman who has accepted a sorority's bid for membership but has not been initiated.
- Pledge - A person who has accepted a bid for membership in a fraternity or similar organization and has promised to join but has not yet been initiated.
- Legacy - Someone who's mother, father, sister or brother, are members of a particular Greek-letter organization.
- Bid - An invitation to membership extended to a prospective member by a fraternity or sorority.
- Bid Day - The last day of recruitment when a potential new member is usually given a bid. It also includes a reception at the chapter house.
- Big Sister - The new member selects an active member to serve as her Big Sister. This initiated member serves as a resource, role model and problem solver for the new member.
- Chapter - A local group of undergraduate students on a particular campus recognized by the university and the (inter)national organization.
- Sister/Brother - A term used by sorority/fraternity members to refer to another member of their own organization.
- Recruitment (Rush) - The organized period for the recruitment of prospective new members. For IFC fraternities, formal rush takes place in the first few weeks of school. For Panhellenic sororities, formal recruitment occurs at the start of each fall semester. For MGC and NPHC organizations, recruitment is called "Intake" and is conducted separately during the semester with permission of their International organizations.
- Silence - Periods of time, before and during formal Recruitment, in which there is no contact between sorority members and PNMs. This limitation ensures fair recruiting.
- Potential New Member (PNM) - A woman who is participating in recruitment.
- Rushee - A man who is participating in recruitment/rush.
- Quota - The maximum number of new members a sorority may accept through Recruitment.
- Recommendation - A written letter sent by an alumna recommending a woman for membership in a sorority.
- Recruitment Counselor (Rho Gamma) - A sorority member who leads a Recruitment group through the stages of Recruitment. She is unbiased and willing to honestly answer any questions about sororities and Recruitment.
- Initiation - A spiritually based ritual which marks the acceptance of a lifetime commitment to the fraternity or sorority.
- Interfraternity Council (IFC) - The governing body of the traditional fraternities at The University of Houston.
- Houston Panhellenic Council (HPC) - The governing body of the six (6) National Panhellenic Conference sororities at UH.
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) -The governing body of the historically African-American fraternities and sororities at UH.
- Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) - The governing body of the culturally-based fraternities and sororities at UH.