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.
Greek Week: An annual celebration held in the spring in which chapters participate in athletic events, community service, brotherhood and sisterhood activities.
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.
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."
Order of Omega: Honor society reserved for fraternity members who are juniors and seniors who are initiated members of a fraternity or sorority and have attained a high standard of leadership and scholarship within the fraternity and sorority community.
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.
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.”
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.
There is no minimum or maximum time that a student must spend with the fraternity or sorority. Through involvement with the chapter, students will learn to better manage their time, balance academics, work and other commitments. Members find that being active in a fraternity or sorority is well worth the time that they put into it.
A common concern with fraternity and sorority affiliation is hazing. All the fraternity and sorority governing bodies at Belmont have policies against hazing. The university has a strict policy against hazing. It is also against the law in Tennessee and 43 other states. 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; however, because Belmont does not provide chapter housing or allow events with alcohol, housing and insurance costs typically associated with chapters are not an issue at Belmont. 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 2023, roughly 13% of full-time undergraduate students were members of fraternities and sororities.
To join an NPC organization at Belmont, students must participate in recruitment (most often, Formal Sorority Recruitment in January). To join an IFC organization at Belmont, men must participate in recruitment in January as well. To submit an interest form to participate in intake for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., or Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., please contact studentengagement@belmont.edu.
Though it is common practice for students to seek out recommendation letters to participate in the recruitment process, Belmont’s PA and IFC groups 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., or Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Belmont’s Fraternity & Sorority Life is overseen by the Office of Student Engagement and can be reached by emailing studentengagement@belmont.edu.