Greek Glossary

Active Member - A fully initiated member of a fraternity or sorority.
Alumnus (plural: alumni) - A member of a fraternity who has graduated from college.
Bid - An invitation to membership from a fraternity to a rushee.
Brother - A term used by initiated members in a fraternity when referring to each other.
Fraternity - A group of individuals bound together by common goals and rituals.
Greek - A member of a fraternity or sorority.
Independent - A person who is not a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Legacy - A rushee of a fraternity who is the son, brother, or other relative of a member of the fraternity.
Pledge - A trial member (usually Freshmen undergraduates) of a fraternity, who is working to become an initiate (active member) of the chosen fraternity.
Rush - The activity or activities by which a fraternity seeks new members.
Rushee - A person interested or who has expressed interest in becoming a member of a fraternity.
   
 

Pledging | Sigma Phi Omicron
 
If you have been thinking of joining a Fraternity, but don't know what words like "Pledge" and "Rush" mean, we have provided you with a glossary of terms you may hear around a fraternity or sororoity.
   
 
When you are selected to become a member of the Fraternity, there are a series of steps you will take before learning about the secrets and mysteries of a Fraternity. You may rush and join only one Fraternity, so choose wisely.

When you rush the Fraternity, active members will get to know you, and will then make a decision in the chapter meeting on whether to present you with a bid. If you are invited to pledge the Fraternity, (no hazing involved) and you decide to do it, there are two things you will be expected to do. The first is to put out the effort to learn Sigma Phi Omicron History and Ritual, and get to know the guys. You will need to commit yourself to being a better person- to learn, change, adapt, and adjust, into a more enriching life.

First, you will want to rush, or be rushed by the Fraternity.
Second, you may receive a bid from the Fraternity.
Third, you will pledge the Fraternity.
Fourth, you may be initiated into the Fraternity.
Fifth, you will be an active member in the Fraternity.

Why Join a Fraternity?
Sigma Phi Omicron, like many Fraternities, is an excellent organization that teaches young men some basic guideposts for a successful and well-rounded life. Each Fraternity provides friendship, camaraderie, discipline, and of course, a lot of fun times that will be remembered forever.