Fraternity Terminology

Get to Know Fraternity Terms

Greek Life comes with its own language, and understanding it can help you feel more confident and connected. This guide explains the most common fraternity terms you’ll hear at Valpo—from bids and brothers to chapters and advisors.

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Fraternity Terminology

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Fraternity Terminology

Terms & Definitions: A-D

Active – An initiated man who is a college student.

Alumnus – A fraternity member who has graduated or left college (plural: alumni).

Badge – The pin of an initiated member.

Bid – A formal invitation to join an organization.

Brother – A term used by fraternity members in reference to one another.

Chapter – The local group of an international organization.

Chapter Advisor – An alumnus who establishes and maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter and serves as a teacher, counselor, and friend.

Colony – A newly organized group working to become a chartered chapter.

Community Service – Hands-on activities directly benefiting others.

De-pledge – The termination of a new member’s relationship with a fraternity.

Terms & Definitions: F-L

Fraternal Information and Programming Group (F.I.P.G.) – A group of national/international organizations which have grouped together to form a uniform risk management policy in order to obtain adequate liability insurance.

Fraternity – The name that applies to male chapters and is characterized by a ritual, a pin, and a strong bond of friendship.

House – The structure in which organizations reside or socialize together.

Initiation – A formal ceremony during which a man or woman begins full membership in an organization.

Interfraternity Council (IFC) – The representative body of all men’s fraternities.

Legacy – A potential new member whose grandparents, parents, or siblings are members of a particular organization.

Terms & Definitions: N-R

North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) – The international organization composed of more than 70 men’s fraternities.

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) – The national organization for Latino/a fraternities and sororities.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – The national organization for all historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) – The international organization composed of 26 women’s fraternities.

New Member – A member of a sorority or fraternity who has not been initiated (also called associate member or pledge).

New Member Period – The time during which new members learn about their organization, its members, and their activities.

Panhellenic Council – The local coordinating and governing organization for women’s sororities.

Philanthropy – Endeavors raising money for charitable organizations.

Potential New Member – A man who is going through the recruitment process.

Ritual – A value-based esoteric ceremony that is traditional of a chapter. Rituals are kept secret.

Recruitment – An organized activity to meet potential members.

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North American Interfraternity Conference

Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values

IFC Officers

Samuel Starkenburg, President
Gavin Forck, Vice President of Standards
Damon Virgo, Vice President of Operations
Cody Teske, Vice President of Recruitment
Nadi Haddadin, Vice President of Community Development
Colin Walworth, Vice President of Public Relations
Thomas Arce, Interfraternity Council Advisor