What is a fraternity?
A fraternity is a brotherhood of lifetime friendship between a group of individuals who share common goals and interests. Thank you for showing interest in Sigma Delta Alpha. For those who decide to pledge, it will be an eventful and exciting quarter. New friendships will be formed and memories to last a lifetime of becoming a brother of Sigma Delta Alpha.
What is Rush?
Being involved in Rush events does not require a commitment from you to the fraternity. Rush is simply an opportunity for you to get to know us and for us to get to know you. By interacting with one another we hope that those events will help you in your decision to pledge. Rush lasts approximately two weeks and although attendance is not mandatory, it is recommended.
What is Pledging?
In order to become a brother, an individual will be required to participate in a pledging process. This is a process in which each pledge will prove their dedication, loyalty, and commitment to Sigma Delta Alpha. The Brothers of Sigma Delta Alpha are a strong advocate of non-hazing activities during membership evaluation. All activities fall within the purpose outlined in the mission of this organization. A superiority/inferiority climate is not established nor accepted. We believe we are all equal in an academic environment focused towards personal growth and advancement so that we can help those around us.
Helpful Greek Key Terms
Fraternity and Sorority Terms Advisor - An alumna or alumnus who serves as a resource and educator for the chapter and its members.
ALUMNA - An initiated sorority member who is no longer in college. (plural: Alumnae).
ALUMNUS - An initiated fraternity member who is no longer in college. (plural: Alumni).
BID - A formal invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.
BROTHER - A term used by members of a fraternity when referring to one another.
CHAPTER - The locally, chartered group of the larger, national organization, which is designated by a special Greek letter name.
CLASS - A group of individuals pledging together for the same Fraternity or Sorority at the same time.
CROSSING - Similar to initiation, a ceremony where a neo becomes a member of a group. Often used by the NPHC and MGC groups.
GREEK - What a sorority or fraternity member is called because the organization bears a Greek letter name.
INITIATE - A person who has recently learned the ritual of a fraternity or sorority and is a full member of his/her fraternity/sorority.
INITIATION - The formal ceremony at which the ritual is revealed to the new members and they becomes a full member of their fraternity/sorority.
LAVALIERE - A necklace with Greek letters on it. Sorority women can wear these necklaces with their sorority’s letters, and many become lavaliered upon receiving a lavaliere from their boyfriend with his fraternity’s letters.
LEGACY - A person whose parent or sibling is an alumnus/alumna or active member of a national fraternity or sorority.
LINE - The persons pledging together through intake.
MEMBERSHIP INTAKE - The process some organizations use to accept new members. Often used by the NPHC and MGC groups.
MIXER or EXCHANGE- Sorority and Fraternity members meeting together socially to get acquainted.
NEOPHYTE (NEO) - New member of an organization, often used by the NPHC and MGC groups.
NEW MEMBER - (also associate member or candidate) someone who has accepted a bid to join a fraternity or sorority, but has not been formally initiated.
NEW MEMBER PIN - A distinctive insignia worn on the chest designating a new member of a particular fraternity or sorority for the period of time between bid acceptance and initiation.
NEW MEMBER PROGRAM - A period of education when each new member learns about his/her fraternity or sorority.
NPHC - National Pan-Hellenic Council; The umbrella organization for historically Black fraternities and sororities.
NPC - National Panhellenic Conference umbrella organization to member sororities.
PHILANTHROPY - A service project or fundraising event undertaken by fraternity or sorority chapters on the campus, community, or national level.
PIN - (also badge) a distinctive insignia worn on the chest designating a member of a particular fraternity or sorority.
POTENTIAL MEMBER - Someone who is participating in informal or formal recruitment.
RITUAL - The traditional ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority containing the secrets shared between members.
SISTER - A term used by members of a sorority when referring to one another.
SOROR - A term used by sorority members when referring to one another, typically used by NPHC member sororities
ALUMNA - An initiated sorority member who is no longer in college. (plural: Alumnae).
ALUMNUS - An initiated fraternity member who is no longer in college. (plural: Alumni).
BID - A formal invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.
BROTHER - A term used by members of a fraternity when referring to one another.
CHAPTER - The locally, chartered group of the larger, national organization, which is designated by a special Greek letter name.
CLASS - A group of individuals pledging together for the same Fraternity or Sorority at the same time.
CROSSING - Similar to initiation, a ceremony where a neo becomes a member of a group. Often used by the NPHC and MGC groups.
GREEK - What a sorority or fraternity member is called because the organization bears a Greek letter name.
INITIATE - A person who has recently learned the ritual of a fraternity or sorority and is a full member of his/her fraternity/sorority.
INITIATION - The formal ceremony at which the ritual is revealed to the new members and they becomes a full member of their fraternity/sorority.
LAVALIERE - A necklace with Greek letters on it. Sorority women can wear these necklaces with their sorority’s letters, and many become lavaliered upon receiving a lavaliere from their boyfriend with his fraternity’s letters.
LEGACY - A person whose parent or sibling is an alumnus/alumna or active member of a national fraternity or sorority.
LINE - The persons pledging together through intake.
MEMBERSHIP INTAKE - The process some organizations use to accept new members. Often used by the NPHC and MGC groups.
MIXER or EXCHANGE- Sorority and Fraternity members meeting together socially to get acquainted.
NEOPHYTE (NEO) - New member of an organization, often used by the NPHC and MGC groups.
NEW MEMBER - (also associate member or candidate) someone who has accepted a bid to join a fraternity or sorority, but has not been formally initiated.
NEW MEMBER PIN - A distinctive insignia worn on the chest designating a new member of a particular fraternity or sorority for the period of time between bid acceptance and initiation.
NEW MEMBER PROGRAM - A period of education when each new member learns about his/her fraternity or sorority.
NPHC - National Pan-Hellenic Council; The umbrella organization for historically Black fraternities and sororities.
NPC - National Panhellenic Conference umbrella organization to member sororities.
PHILANTHROPY - A service project or fundraising event undertaken by fraternity or sorority chapters on the campus, community, or national level.
PIN - (also badge) a distinctive insignia worn on the chest designating a member of a particular fraternity or sorority.
POTENTIAL MEMBER - Someone who is participating in informal or formal recruitment.
RITUAL - The traditional ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority containing the secrets shared between members.
SISTER - A term used by members of a sorority when referring to one another.
SOROR - A term used by sorority members when referring to one another, typically used by NPHC member sororities
Greek Alphabet
