Glossary
Active
a fully initiated undergraduate member of a fraternity/sorority
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
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.
Greek
the name applied to affiliated sorority and fraternity members
Greek Affairs
Greek Affairs is composed of the following three organizations: Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC),
Interfraternity Council (IFC), and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
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 the North-American
Interfraternity Conference, National Panhellenic Conference or the National Pan-Hellenic Conference
Membership Intake
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 all Latino/Latina fraternities and
sororties of Iowa State University
North-American Interfraternity Council (NIC)
an organization composed of 58 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 Greek Affairs
university paid advisors and staff offering support and resources
to the Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, individual chapters,
Greek members and leaders, and faculty and chapter advisors
