Recruitment Terms
PNM- Potential New Member.
Rush - the time when an organization is actively recruiting members.
Recruitment - the period at the beginning of the semester during which fraternity and sorority members meet potential new members and acquire new members through the Bid process.
Bid - a formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.
Rushing - when an individual is attending recruitment events by the organization and actively trying to receive a bid to join an organization.
Pledging - the process of accepting an offer to join an organizationt and then participating in a period of education and training before being initiated as a full member.
General Terms
Class/Line - the cohort of people that have joined an organization
Big/Little - a respective big/little brother/sister that you're matched with within the organization
Dues - the monetary costs of membership in a fraternity or sorority. These fees are used to cover the costs of operation, formal events, social activities, and other events, depending on the organization.
Cultural Greek Terms
Probate - a new member presentation in which new members showcase organization information and traditions
Cross - initiated, at the end of the recruitment period after being evaluated by the organization one is seeking. The new member then "crosses" over from a pledge to a new member.
Dropping Line - to quit the process of becoming a member.
Neo - an abbreviated term for the Greek word Neophyte, meaning beginner. A neophyte is someone who is new to the organization
Stepping - a creative form of artistic dance and musical entertainment unique to some culturally-based fraternities and sororities, especially those of historically African-American heritage.
Stroll - an informal form of stepping.
Semester - the semester in which a pledgee pledged and crossed into their organization (i.e. Fall 2020, Spring 2021)
