Active: An initiated fraternity or sorority member who is affiliated with a campus chapter.

 

Alumna: A graduated member of a women’s sorority/fraternity (plural is alumnae).

 

Bid: A formal invitation for membership within a sorority.

 

Bid Day: A celebratory event in which potential new members receive a bid from a chapter visited during the final day of recruitment. 

 

Big Sister (Big): An initiated member of a sorority who serves as an advisor or mentor to a new member within their respective organization.

 

Chapter: A term used to describe the collegiate group of a fraternity/sorority.

 

Dues: Costs of being in a sorority.

 

Greeks: A casual term used to describe members affiliated with Greek-lettered fraternities/sororities.

 

Initiation: A traditional, secret ceremony/ritual that brings a new member into full membership.

 

Legacy: An individual whose relative has been a member of the sorority (Note: the legacy definition varies among organizations.)

 

New Member: A potential member who has accepted a bid from a sorority.

 

Panhellenic Community: The greater community connecting all the Panhellenic sororities at the University of Minnesota. 

 

Panhellenic Council (PHC): PHC is the governing body of the sororities affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) at the University of Minnesota. This organization provides leadership and programming for the chapters. 

 

Philanthropy: A community service and/or fund-raising project sponsored by a chapter.

 

Potential New Member (PNM): An individual interested in becoming a member of a sorority.

 

Quota: The number of women to whom each PHC sorority may extend bids to during Primary Recruitment.

 

Total: The allowable chapter size as determined by PHC.