Greek Alphabet and Fraternity & Sorority Life Terminology
| Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| Α | Alpha |
| Β | Beta |
| Γ | Gamma |
| Δ | Delta |
| Ε | Epsilon |
| Ζ | Zeta |
| Η | Eta |
| Θ | Theta |
| Ι | Iota |
| Κ | Kappa |
| Λ | Lambda |
| Μ | Mu |
| Ν | Nu |
| Ξ | Xi |
| Ο | Omicron |
| Π | Pi |
| Ρ | Rho |
| Σ | Sigma |
| Τ | Tau |
| Υ | Upsilon |
| Φ | Phi |
| Χ | Chi |
| Ψ | Psi |
| Ω | Omega |
Active: An initiated fraternity or sorority member who is affiliated with a campus chapter
Alumnus: An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority who is no longer in college.
Anchor/Tail: The last person in the intake class for a culturally based fraternity or sorority.
Badge: The badge of an initiated member is received during the initiation ceremony and worn in a designated location.
Bid: A formal invitation for membership from a fraternity or sorority
Brother: a term used when referring to other members of a fraternity.
Call/Chant: A vocal sound (sometimes high-pitched) used by members of cultural based fraternities and sororities to acknowledge one another.
Captain/Ace: The first person in an intake class for a culturally based fraternity or sorority (usually organized from shortest to tallest).
Chapter: A term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity or sorority.
Crossing: A term used by NPHC groups to indicate that a new member has been fully initiated into the group.
Deferred: Ppotential members that are first year freshman must complete 12 credit hours and one (1) full semester at Belmont before going through recruitment. The formal recruitment takes place at the beginning of the spring semester.
Event (referring to Panhellenic Recruitment “Event”): Also called a “party” (we encourage everyone to say “event” instead to avoid any unnecessary confusion and set realistic expectations), refers to the schedule of meetings hosted by chapters that make up each day (round).
FS Week: An annual celebration held in the spring in which chapters participate in athletic events, community service, brotherhood and sisterhood activities.
GBA: IFC sponsored basketball tournament between active IFC chapters.
Informational: A forum for individuals interested in seeking more information about a particular NPHC or MGC fraternity or sorority.
Initiation: A traditional, secret ceremony that brings a new member into full fraternity or sorority membership.
Intake: The term groups used to bring new members into an NPHC organization. Each chapter determines when they will conduct intake and is assisted in this process by their Graduate Chapter and Chapter Advisor (a group of local alumni).
Legacy: A potential member whose grandparent, parent, brother or sister is a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (MRABA): The binding agreement signed by a PNM following the final preference event she attends during Panhellenic recruitment. A PNM agrees to accept a bid from any chapter she lists on her MRABA. If she receives a bid to a chapter she lists and declines it, she is ineligible to join another organization on that campus until the beginning of the next primary membership recruitment period.
New Member: A potential member who has accepted a bid from a fraternity or sorority. They may also be referred to as an “associate,” or “neophyte."
Philanthropy: activities or events that are specific to the chapter's specific charitable organization(s) and to which they donate money.
Potential New Member (PNM): An individual interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority.
Quota: The number of women to whom each College Panhellenic Council sorority may extend bids.
Recruitment: Refers to the process by which NPC and IFC chapters select new members.
Release Figure Methodology (RFM): The behind-the-scenes, statistical part of Panhellenic Recruitment based on mutual selection that allows for more realistic expectations between PNMs and chapters based on how the process is going.
Ritual: The traditional, secret ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority.
Rush: This is an outdated term that is often associated with the time in which membership is being selected. This term is no longer used. We refer to membership selection as either “Recruitment” or “Intake.”
Total: The allowable chapter size on a campus, as determined by the College Panhellenic that includes both new and initiated members. Chapters that fall under total are allowed to participate in COB until they reach total.
Values-based Recruitment Model: Conversations should be meaningful and tied to one’s personal values on both the PNM and active member sides. Decisions about mutual selection should be based on shared values, not on other attributes like appearance, bias, popularity, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
At first glance, the university experience can seem overwhelming. The fraternity and sorority community gives students a support network away from home. The individual chapter becomes like a family, and friendships will last a lifetime. Fraternities and sororities promote the development of close bonds between members through studying, serving, and having fun together. Members also meet new people through participation in campus, chapter, and community service events.
The time commitment varies by fraternity, but members typically attend weekly chapter meetings, participate in community service and philanthropy events, and engage in social activities. On average, members spend about 4-7 hours per week on fraternity-related activities. New Members can expect to spend 6-8 hours per week on new member related activities and typical member responsibilities.
Belmont University, the Office of Student Engagement, and the fraternity and sorority governing bodies at Belmont have policies in place that prohibit hazing. Hazing is also against the law in Tennessee, 43 other states, and on a federal level. Hazing is not tolerated at Belmont University. If you have specific concerns, questions or comments, please contact the Office of Student Engagement. Belmont University’s official hazing policy is addressed in the Bruin Guide and in the Student Organization Handbook.
No, Belmont does not provide or allow fraternity and sorority housing on our campus. Part of Belmont’s commitment to providing an inclusive and communal environment for our student organizations is making every effort to keep Fraternity & Sorority Life ingrained into campus life, not separate from it. This also keeps costs for membership down, allowing more students the opportunity to be a part of these groups.
Each organization has a different cost/dues structure, so we recommend students seek out organizations directly. Most chapters’ dues structures are dictated by the number and type of brotherhood/sisterhood events the organization hosts along with costs of affiliation to the national and international organizations. There are often minimal, one-time costs associated with events like formal recruitment or non-mandatory events like conferences and workshops.
Both Belmont’s student population and the number of students interested in Fraternity & Sorority Life are rapidly growing every year. In the spring of 2025, roughly 12% of full-time undergraduate students were members of fraternities and sororities.
- To join a Panhellenic organization at Belmont, students must participate in recruitment (Primary Recruitment in the Spring or COB).
- To join an IFC organization at Belmont, men must participate in Formal Recruitment or 365 Recruitment.
- To submit an interest form to participate in intake for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., or Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., please attend the information meeting for the chapter you are interested in.
Yes, transfer students are welcome to participate in the recruitment process and join an fraternity or sorority, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, including any academic standards set by the university and individual chapters.
Yes, each fraternity has its own academic requirements of a minimum GPA for joining and maintaining active membership. Specific requirements vary, so it is best to check with the individual fraternity for detailed information. There is a minimum of 2.5 to participate in recruitment.
New member education typically includes orientation sessions, educational workshops, and activities designed to help new members learn about the fraternity’s history, values, and expectations. It also focuses on leadership development and community building.
Students should consider the chapter's values, culture, philanthropic focus, academic expectations, and social atmosphere. It’s important to find a fraternity where they feel comfortable and aligned with the chapter’s goals and values.
No, students can only join one sorority or fraternity. This policy allows members to fully commit and engage with their chosen community.
Absolutely! Being a member of a sorority or fraternity does not limit your involvement in other campus organizations. It’s highly encouraged for members to be involved in more than their organization.
Many members find that being part of a fraternity or sorority provides them with additional academic resources, support systems, and motivation to excel. However, time management is crucial, as balancing academic responsibilities with involvement requires careful planning and prioritization. Belmont University FSL members regularly have higher GPAs than the average Belmont student.
Though it is common practice for students to seek out recommendation letters to participate in the recruitment process, Belmont’s Panhelllenic Association and IFC chapters made the intentional decision to not support this practice in an effort to be inclusive and give all students an equal opportunity to join.
Due to the personal nature of membership intake for National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, recommendation letters may be requested for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., or Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Parents can stay informed by regularly communicating with their student about their experiences. Additionally, many fraternities and sororities have newsletters or events that parents can attend to learn more about the chapter’s activities and goals.
Belmont’s Fraternity & Sorority Life is overseen by the Office of Student Engagement and can be reached by emailing studentengagement@belmont.edu.