Members of a fraternity or sorority who have graduated.
Bid
An invitation to join a fraternity or a sorority
Chapter
A term used to refer to undergraduate fraternity or sorority students in a particular Greek organization. This term is also used nationally to distinguish one group of students on a particular campus from those on another campus. Many national groups give their chapters names such as a Greek letter, or a combination of letters, or a Greek letter and a state. Examples are Pennsylvania Epsilon (the designation for Pi Beta Phi @ Penn State) or Delta Theta of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (the designation for the Kappa's at Penn State).
Fraternity
A group of men bonded together by their ritual that contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.
Gamma Sigma Alpha is committed to the leadership, academic achievement, and excellence of Greek members everywhere. Students must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and junior or senior status. Applications are accepted each semester, with applicants who meet the criteria automatically granted membership. A one-time fee of is charged, for which members receive a certificate and a pin.
The umbrella organization for the 57 historically white fraternities at Penn State.
Intake
The term NPHC groups use when they bring new members into their organization. Each NPHC group (there are nine of them at Penn State) determines when they will conduct intake, and thus no two NPHC groups will conduct intake together. In general, NPHC groups require sophomore status and a 2.5 cumulative GPA for someone to go through intake.
Legacy
Someone whose mother, father, sister or brother, are members of a particular group. Some may consider an aunt or an uncle a legacy also.
The national group of 26 women's sororities in North America. Representatives from each national sorority get together to support and promote sororities across North America.
The national group of 62 men's fraternities in North America. Representatives from each national fraternity get together to promote fraternities across the country. They work to promote fraternities and Greek Life.
The national group of the 9 historically African-American fraternities (5) and sororities (4) in North America. Representatives from each national group get together to promote Black Greeks across the country. There is a national conference every other year that undergraduate students and graduate members attend to share ideas about Greek Life. Regional conferences are also held every other year (even numbered years). *Most of the chapters at University Park are nationally-affiliated. This means that the fraternity or sorority exists by the same name at other schools. All these chapters report to a national body as well as to their alumni. Local chapters only exist in name on one campus and report to their alumni only.
New Member
A term used to refer to a new member of a fraternity or a sorority. After the recruitment period, new members learn the history of their national and local chapters, learn the ideals and principles of the group, get to know their fellow new members and get to know the initiated members.
NPHC (National Pan - Hellenic Council)
The umbrella organization at Penn State for the 8 historically African-American fraternities (4) and sororities (4) at Penn State. NPHC also recognizes Gamma Phi Sigma Fraternity, a Latino men's Greek organization, for a total of 9 Greek organizations under NPHC.
Limited to top 3% of Greeks at Penn State University. Must have a 3.0 GPA, junior or senior status, significant leadership and service to the campus or Greek community. Applications are accepted each semester, with the current student members selecting the new members. Students that are selected pay a one-time fee, for which they receive a certificate and a pin. Order of Omega also selects an Honor Initiate each semester. This person must have given significantly for the improvement of the Penn State University Greek Community.
The umbrella organization for the 22 historically white sororities at Penn State University.
Regional Organizations
Note: the country is divided up into 4 sections (Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, and West). Each section has a conference for Greek students and in February or March. We belong to the Northeast section.
Organized to provide advice and support for fraternity and sorority councils throughout the region. A Thursday - Saturday Leadership Conference is held in February that is attended by fraternity and sorority members and advisors from Maine to Maryland and as far west as Pennsylvania. NGLA is inclusive of all fraternity and sorority chapters from IFC, Multicultural Councils, NPHC, and Panhellenic.
Northeastern Regional Conference - NPHC
A group of NPHC's from the Northeast. They organize to provide advice and support for each other throughout the region. A Thursday - Saturday Leadership Conference is held in October/November of even numbered years that all of the NPHC Executive Committee attends.
Recruitment (a.k.a. Rush)
The time when fraternities and sororities recruit new members. IFC fraternities usually recruit the first two weeks of each semester. Panhellenic sororities usually recruit the first 3-4 weeks of Fall semester and the first 2 weeks of the Spring semester. For NPHC groups, they recruit, called "intake" when each chapter decides (each NPHC group will conduct recruitment separately).
Honoring those women within Panhellenic who have contributed to the highest qualities of leadership and service to Panhellenic and their sorority.
Sorority
A group of women bonded together by their ritual that contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.
Stepshow
Each Spring the NPHC sponsors a Stepshow in conjunction with Greek Week. The show has been a large success and attendance is usually very large. A significant amount of the money raised is given to an endowed scholarship fund that provides financial assistance for deserving minority students at Penn State. Since this show is such a big tradition, a considerable number of alumni return to campus for this event.
UIFI (Undergraduate Inter Fraternity Institute)
A four day leadership school held each summer (sessions run throughout the summer for student's convenience) that brings together 50 Greek students from across the country. Students stay in a sorority house on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis, Indiana or at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. This is one of the best leadership schools in the country and is tailored exclusively for Greek leaders. The presidents of the three councils (IFC, Panhellenic & NPHC) and one other executive committee member usually attend UIFI along with chapter presidents and others who wish to attend.
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
213-216 HUB-Robeson Center
University Park, PA 16802