Basics of Greek Life

The Greek Alphabet

A	B	G	D	E	Z
Alpha al-fah	Beta bay-tah	Gamma gam-mah	Delta del-tah	Epsilon ep-si-lon	Zeta zay-tah
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H	Q	I	K	L	M
Eta ay-tay	Theta thay-tah	Iota eye-o-tah	Kappa cap-ah	Lambda lam-dah	Mu mew
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N	X	O	P	R	S
Nu new	Xi zz-eye	Omicron om-e-cron	Pi pie	Rho roe	Sigma sig-mah
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T	U	F	C	Y	W
Tau taw	Upsilon oop-si-lon	Phi fie	Chi k-eye	Psi sigh	Omega o-may-gah

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 Will there be time for anything besides Greek life?

Joining a Greek organization does not take up all of one’s time; in fact, it is often a bridge for students to get involved in other facets of the Central Michigan University community.  Through Greek activities, students contribute to campus through service organizations, intra-mural sports, political groups, etc.  In addition, many Greek students hold jobs, volunteer, play a variety of varsity or club sports, and take on heavy course loads.  Being a member of the Greek community, however, is a time commitment.  Most students compare it to an after school activity in high school that one must budget their time for.

 Will my student be hazed?

The Greek community at Central Michigan University has a strict anti-hazing policy that includes a zero tolerance rule.  We do not accept hazing in any form.  If and when hazing instances occur, they are immediately investigated and disciplinary action following the CMU Student Code of Conduct, National Panhellenic Conference, and Interfraternity Council guidelines is enforced.

Does my student have to live in the fraternity/sorority house?

All chapters have different obligations regarding housing.  Some organizations require a minimum residency while others do not.  Your student should ask questions regarding housing during the recruitment process to be aware of any potential requirements.

What does the new member process entail?

Each fraternity and sorority requires a new member process where new members learn about the heritage and foundation of the organization they are joining through a series of meeting and events.  During this period your student will be introduced to a variety of aspects concerning Greek life such as ritual, scholarship programs, philanthropy projects, etc. 

What will it cost for my son or daughter to go Greek?

Fraternity and sorority dues vary from one organization to the next.  However, Greek life at CMU tends to be less expensive compared to larger universities.  Once interested in a fraternity/sorority, your student should inquire about the specific financial obligations of that group.  Important questions to ask include:

            What are new member dues?

            What are active member dues?

            Are there national fees to be paid?

If it is required to live in the house, how much will it cost, and when will I have to live in the house?

What Can Greek Life Offer My Student?

The following facts have been researched by the North American Interfraternity Conference.

Academic Support: One of the purposes of the Greek system is to encourage and develop high scholastic achievement among its members. Fraternity and Sorority members help each other succeed.

Opportunities to Serve the Community: Greek Organizations make up the largest network of volunteers in the United States offering 10 million hours of volunteer service each year. The Greek Community at Central Michigan University participates in over many community service projects each semester.  Some of the charitable organizations that Greeks at CMU support locally and nationally include:

·        Children’s Miracle Netowork

·        Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

·        Habitat for Humanity

·        Victims of Domestic Violence

·        Big Brothers Big Sisters

·        Special Olympics

·        National Kidney Foundation

Alumni Ties: Joining a Greek Organization gives your student access to an extensive alumni network throughout the country. Chances are there is an alum in the career field your student wishes to pursue and may be able to help!

Development of Social Skills: Greek Organizations are the largest and most visible value-based organizations on college campuses. Also, in the "real" world, book smarts can only get you so far. To succeed a person must develop skills and values that will help them effectively communicate and interact with people of all different origins.

 Home: Greek Organiations are the largest not for profit student landlords! They own and manage $3 Billion in student housing and provide homes for 250,000 students in 8,000 facilities.

 

Greek Dictionary

Alumnae or Alumni - An initiated member who is no longer in college.

Alumnae Area Panhellenic - The organization of the alumnae of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities in your city or area.

Big Sister or Brother - After several weeks, the new member will select an initiated member to be his/her big brother or sister. This older member serves as a resource, role model, and problem solver for the new member.

Badge/Pin (two types) - The active pin is worn on the chest designating an initiated member of a certain fraternity. A new member or associate pin is simpler and is used to designate a new member or associate member of a particular fraternity.

Bid - A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.

Bid Day - The last day of recruitment which includes activities at the chapter house.

Chapter - The local group of the national fraternity or sorority.

Continuous Open Bidding - Some Panhellenic affiliated chapters continue to recruit and pledge women throughout the school year.

Culturally Based Greek Letter Organization - A fraternity or sorority that has aspects of a specific culture incorporated into its ritual, purpose and ceremonies. Member organizations of Affiliates, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic Council and United Greek Council are all culturally based.

Formal Recruitment - The major period of time set aside by the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils for meeting potential new members.

Fraternity - Formally, the name applied to all Greek letter organizations. Informally, the name applied to men's groups.

Greek- Fraternity men/ Sorority Women who are part of organizations with Greek-letter names, for example Alpha Alpha Alpha or AAA.

Hold Over(Continuing New Member) - A new member who does not make the necessary grades to be initiated. Each chapter has it own scholastic standards.

Informal or Open Recruitment - Recruitment period conducted at various times during the year.

Infraction - Any violation of a rule set by the University University Panhellenic Council as governed by the National Panhellenic Conference.

Initiation - A ceremony that brings a new member into full membership.

Interfraternity Council (IFC) - The governing body of the North American Interfraternity Conference fraternities.

Legacy - A woman whose mother, sister, or in some cases grandmother is an initiated member of a sorority. A man whose father, brother, or in some cases grandfather is an initiated member of a fraternity. Legacy stipulations differ for each sorority and fraternity.

Membership Intake - A term given to National Pan - Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities' and sororities' membership process.
a social Greek - letter society of college men and alumni.

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) - A national organization composed of 26 member women's fraternities, each of which is autonomous as a social Greek - letter society of college women and alumnae.

National Pan - Hellenic Council (NPHC) - The governing body of the nine historically African - American fraternities and sororities, of which five are currently on campus.

New Member - A potential new member who has accepted the bid (invitation to join) of a sorority or fraternity.

New Member Educator - The chapter officer who coordinates the education for the chapter's new members.

New Member Meetings - Special meetings which may be held each week for the new members; in addition to learning the history of the fraternity, new members may hear speakers on study skills, acquaintance rape, substance abuse, and other important issues.

Oral Bidding - Any statement by an individual which indicates that a sorority or fraternity intends or wishes to pledge a potential new member. Some examples of oral bidding are: "I want you for my little sister/brother," "You belong here," "We have a place for you," and "You can wear my badge." It falsely implies an invitation to a recruitment party or a bid. No individual member has the authority to issue invitations or guarantee membership.

University Pan-Hellenic Council - The governing body of the fourteen NPC sororities.

Preferential Bidding - The process of mutual selection between the Panhellenic sororities and the potential new members.

Quota - Specified number of potential new members each Panhellenic sorority chapter can pledge.

Potential New Member - An individual participating in the recruitment process.

Recruitment Counselors (Gamma Chi)- Greek women carefully selected and trained to guide potential new members and answer any questions with regard to Panhellenic recruitment.

Silence - Period of time when conversation and contact between potential new members and sorority actives, new members, alumnae and agents is strictly limited by the Panhellenic Recruitment Rules.

Sorority - A group of women joined together in friendship for leadership and academic purposes.