Glossary
Active - a fully initiated undergraduate member of a fraternity/sorority.
Alcohol Permitted Housing- Registered events with alcohol are allowed on chapter property with proper event approval from the Events Review Team. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed on chapter property for people of legal age. Chapters may choose to implement more restrictions or guidelines either on their own or because of national bylaws.
Alcohol Prohibited Housing- Chapters do not allow the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages on chapter property at any time.
Alcohol Restricted Housing- Registered events with alcohol are not allowed on chapter property. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed on chapter property for people of legal age. Chapters may choose to implement more restrictions or guidelines either on their own or becuase of national bylaws.
Alumnus/Alumna - an initiated fraternity/sorority member who has completed his/her course of study and graduated from the university.
Bedroom Style Living - similar to the traditional residence hall.
Bid - a formal invitation given by a chapter asking a prospective member to join the chapter.
Chapter - the local collegiate membership of a national fraternal organization.
Cold Airs - a large common sleeping quarters with bunked beds. Traditionally windows are kept open year-round, but recently many cold airs are heated/cooled appropriate to the season. Chapter members have 2-3 person living quarters separate from cold airs.
Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) - the governing body for all ISU sororities in the National Panhellenic Conference.
Colony - a fraternal membership which has received approval from the University Committee on Fraternities and Sororities and recognition from one of the Greek governing councils but is in a trial period with their national organization and their governing council.
Fraternity - a Greek letter sisterhood or brotherhood.
Function - a social gathering hosted by one or more Greek chapters.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) - the governing body for all ISU fraternities in the North-American Interfraternity Council.
Initiation/Activation - the traditional ritual or formal ceremony of induction which marks the transition to full membership in a fraternity/sorority.
Invite - an official invitation to come back and meet the members of a chapter.
Legacy - a prospective member whose grandparents, mother/father, or sister/brother is an alumni of a fraternity/sorority.
Local chapter - a local fraternity/sorority that is not a member of a national organization.
Membership Intake Process - A process by which interested persons become members of most African-American and Latino/Latina Greek-lettered organizations. Generally characterized by an informational meeting, an application process, an interview or series of interviews and an educational process.
Multicultural Greek Council - the governing body for fraternities and sororities at Iowa State with a diversity as a foundation for membership.
North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) - an organization composed of more than 50 national member men's fraternities.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) - an organization composed of 26 member women's sororities.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) - a local governing organization historically African-American fraternities and sororities.
Potential Members - undergraduate men and women participating in recruitment and interested in becoming a member of a fraternity/sorority.
Philanthropy - a charitable service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority.
New Member - a prospective member from the time he/she accepts a bid to affiliate until the time he/she is initiated.
New Member Program - a period of adjustment to Greek life, during which new members learn the history and values about the fraternity/sorority, its members and activities.
Recruitment - the continual process of recruiting men and women to become members of the Greek community.
Sorority - a Greek letter sisterhood.
Suite Style Living - 3-6 people sharing a common living space.
The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Engagement - university paid advisors and staff offering support and resources to the Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council, individual chapters, Greek members and leaders, and faculty and chapter advisors.