Sorority Recruitment Guidebook

Welcome to Washington and Lee University!

By coming to Washington and Lee you are entering a community that supports a strong, vibrant Greek Life.

As members of Washington and Lee's Greek Community, we have found that involvement in a Greek organization helps foster personal growth and offers countless leadership opportunities. Our Greek members are actively invested in the greater campus community, and our members boast leadership positions in nearly every organization and student government body on campus.

Washington and Lee is an excellent University thanks to the contributions of students like you. If you choose to become a member of our Greek community, you join a long-standing tradition of excellence, and a tradition whose values will benefit you long after graduation.

Sincerely,

W&L Greeks

Dear Potential New Member,

On behalf of Washington and Lee's Panhellenic Community, we would like to welcome you to our campus. During your first year, you have countless opportunities and the capability to shape your own college experience. As you begin to make decisions about the right path for you, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with sorority life and to consider joining the strong Greek tradition at W&L. This Recruitment Book will aid you in the process.

W&L is proud to have six outstanding Panhellenic groups on campus: Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Society, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi. Comprised of all sorority members, the W&L Panhellenic Association represents about 73% of the women on campus; it is the largest women's interest group at Washington and Lee University.

As the governing body of the five NPC sororities, and one local Panhellenic Associate organization, the Panhellenic Council consists of eight executive officers and a delegate from each chapter represented on campus. Panhellenic works to foster a healthy Greek spirit, a campus-wide sisterhood of friendship, and a positive environment for women at W&L. We believe that each sorority chapter has its own unique strengths and characteristics, but all chapters offer you a once-in-a-lifetime Greek experience.

We encourage you to keep an open mind throughout the recruitment process and to seek the chapter where you feel most comfortable. Washington and Lee's primary recruitment period will take place January 8 - January 14, 2024. Monday, January 8 is when we host our final PNM session, followed by recruitment rounds on January 9, 10, and 13, and bid day on January 14. In addition to this Recruitment Book, your Recruitment Counselors (Rho Gammas) are an excellent resource.

We strongly recommend that you get involved on campus and take an active role in finding your niche at W&L; Greek Life is one of your many options! If we can help in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Panhellenic President: Kate Nelson '24

Vice President of Recruitment: Brynn Martinson '24

Greetings Prospective Member!

Washington and Lee University's National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) extends its warmest welcome to you. On a national scale, the NPHC governs nine historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities, collectively known as the "Divine Nine". Each organization boasts unique attributes and initiatives that set them apart. However, all NPHC organizations are devoted to service and contribute to bettering the world around them. They share several principles including scholarship, service, and sisterhood/brotherhood and remain committed to these values during and after their college careers.

On our campus, we have two NPHC sororities' chapters chartered, the Tau Zeta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the Tau Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Both chapters have a rich history and are dedicated to uplifting the core values of their sisterhoods. NPHC sororities actively work to promote community leadership opportunities, advocate for marginalized voices, provide resources and support, and so much more.

We invite you to come get to know us and join our events. We want you to discover for yourself how strongly we are committed to equity and inclusion and our drive to empower people at W&L and around the world. If you share our missions, values, and strong enthusiasm for community involvement, then we strongly encourage you to participate in our informal sessions and Official Rush activities, where you can learn more about our membership processes.

Best regards,

W&L National Pan-Hellenic Council 2023-2024

Why become a member of a sorority?

Joining a Sorority is the beginning of a new experience with new friends, offering you the opportunity to find a new home away from home. Becoming a member of a sorority is much more than wearing Greek letters, going to parties, and attending meetings. Unconditional support, the feeling of belonging, making lifelong friendships, and earning respect for your individuality - these are all a part of the Greek experience. Each sorority is unique with its own history, culture, community events, and activities that women will experience during the new member education period following recruitment.

Membership in a Sorority is often associated with the social aspect of college; however, Greek organizations were founded on the four principles of Leadership, Scholarship, Sisterhood, and Service, all of which are present throughout the sororities at Washington and Lee. Sorority women volunteer throughout the community, contribute to a variety of organizations on campus, and raise thousands of dollars for various philanthropies. Membership in a sorority provides women with endless opportunities for personal growth and individual achievement, all while contributing to the community.

Leadership

Sororities give women the opportunity to hold positions of leadership within their chapters and around campus. Chapters provide environments where women can develop leadership traits such as time management, organization, and responsibility.

Sisterhood

Sororities provide a system of support, a loving community, and a place where you always feel welcome and can be yourself. Membership in a sorority comes with many lifelong friends and memories.

Scholarship

Being part of a sorority requires balancing academics and social activities. Panhellenic Council requires women to have at least a 2.5 GPA to be eligible to participate in formal recruitment. Each sorority may also set a minimum grade point average for their members (see below). Greek women's average GPA's are consistently above the undergraduate all-women's average.

Service

An important aspect of sorority life is giving back to the community. Our sororities sponsor over 25 community service activities. They also provide opportunities to participate and serve in other campus-wide organizations.

What is the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)?

Founded in 1930, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) serves as the governing body for the nine Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations also known as "The Divine Nine." Washington and Lee University has four of the nine organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The purpose and mission of the NPHC is to foster cooperative actions of its members and promote the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities. The primary focus of NPHC members is community awareness and action through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.

At Washington and Lee, the NPHC encourages good scholarship, participation in fellowship, support for character development, and continued service within the community. Through campus and community partnerships, the NPHC and the individual Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations (HBGLO) seek to provide awareness and offer educational opportunities that lead to a positive collegiate experience.

Adviser

Heidi Bustos, Assistant Director of Inclusion and Engagement

National Pan-Hellenic Council Sororities

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Tau Zeta Chapter)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington D.C. on January 15, 1908. The sorority’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, maintain a progressive interest in college life, to study and help alleviate problems as they pertain to women and girls, and to be of service to all mankind. The Tau Zeta Chapter was chartered on March 20, 2011 by 12 women at Washington and Lee University.

The 2022-2026 program theme is “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood” and program initiatives include: Strengthen our Sisterhood, Empower our Families, Build our Economic Wealth, Enhance our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift our Local Community.

Motto: “By Culture and By Merit”
Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Flower: Pink Tea Rose
Color: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
National Website: www.aka1908.com
Chapter Website: https://tauzetaaka.org/

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Tau Omega Chapter)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded at Howard University in Washington D.C. on January 13, 1913. The sorority’s purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. It is committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community. The Tau Omega Chapter was chartered on April 23, 2005 by 12 women at Washington and Lee University, Hollins University, and Roanoke College.

The Five Point Programmatic Thrust service areas include: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

Motto: “Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom”
Symbol: Lady Fortitude
Flower: African Violet
Color: Crimson and Cream
National Website: www.deltasigmatheta.org

NPHC Membership Intake Process

The Membership Intake Process (MIP) is the official recruitment process used by NPHC organizations. Membership Intake will commence at the discretion of each NPHC chapter. Rush information such as location, date and time of the meeting is posted a minimum of two weeks in advance. Any prospective candidate who does not attend Rush is ineligible for candidacy consideration at that time.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Undergraduate Membership Requirements

Full-time student
Creditably complete at least one grading period (12+ credits/one semester)
Semester and Cumulative GPA of C+ (2.5)
Cannot hold membership in a NPHC or NPC organization
Attend official Rush

Delta Sigma Theta Undergraduate Membership Requirements

Full-time student
Complete at least 24 semester hours (Sophomore Standing)
Cumulative GPA of B- (2.75)
Cannot hold membership in a NPHC or NPC organization
Attend official Rush Activity

NPHC Membership Intake Advice

Do Your Research!
- Learn basic information about the organization you are interested in (i.e. values, founding date, colors, chapter programs). Make sure the organization’s values align well with yours. The sorority’s official website is always the best source for information.
Be discreet about your interest.
- Show interest by attending sorority programs and getting to know the women in the chapter. Practice discretion before, during, and after your intake process. Current sorority members or advisors only schedule MIP when there is guaranteed interest.
Always be prepared for Rush/Rush Activity!
- Come prepared with your completed applications, business attire and questions. Specific details or requirements are announced in Rush/Rush Activity flyers.

What is the Panhellenic Council?

The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the five NPC sororities and one local Panhellenic Associate sorority at Washington and Lee. The council consists of an executive board and a delegate from each of the six chapters represented on campus. The council strives for open communication and understanding between all chapters. Panhellenic also works to foster a healthy Greek spirit and encourages a campus wide sisterhood of friendships. Panhellenic welcomes you to formal recruitment and wishes you to take part in an exciting experience at Washington and Lee.

The Panhellenic Creed

We, the undergraduate members of women's fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.

We, as fraternity women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.

Panhellenic Executive Council

Panhellenic President: Kate Nelson '24
Vice President of Recruitment: Brynn Martinson '24
Vice President of Standards: Abby Portwood '24
Vice President of Rho Gammas: Lawson Brantley '24
Vice President of Operations: Kate Ruffin '25
Vice President of Finance: Anna Connelly '25
Vice President of Public Relations: Manuela Zapata '24
Vice President of Programming and Community Engagement: Liv Ullman '25

Adviser

Leah Beard, Director of Leadership Development and Student Engagement

National Panhellenic Conference Bill of Rights

The Potential Member's Bill of Rights was adopted unanimously at the 1989 NPC Biennial Conference, giving women:

The right to be treated as an individual
The right to be fully informed about the recruitment process
The right to ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members
The right to be treated with respect
The right to be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized
The right to ask how and why and receive straight answers
The right to have and express opinions to recruitment counselors
The right to have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors
The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others
The right to be fully informed about the NPC Unanimous Agreements implicit in the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) signing process
The right to make one's own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision
The right to have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and new member experience

National Panhellenic Conference Sororities

Alpha Delta Pi (Theta Zeta Chapter)

Established in 1851, Alpha Delta Pi is committed to sisterhood, values and ethics, high academic standards, and social responsibility.

Symbols: Lion, Diamond
Flower: Woodland Violet
Colors: Azure Blue and White
Philanthropy: Ronald McDonald House
Founding: Wesleyan College, 1851
Required GPA: 2.7

Chi Omega (Xi Lambda Chapter)

Chi Omega is an intergenerational women's organization forever committed to our founding purposes: Friendship, personal integrity, service to others, academic excellence and intellectual pursuits, community and campus involvement, and personal and career development.

Symbol: Owl
Flower: White Carnation
Colors: Cardinal and Straw
Philanthropies: Make a Wish Foundation, Making Strides against Cancer
Founding: University of Arkansas, 1895
Required GPA: 2.5

Kappa Alpha Theta (Zeta Iota Chapter)

Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, Kappa Alpha Theta exists to nurture each member throughout her college and alumnae experience and to offer a lifelong opportunity for social, intellectual, and moral growth as she meets the higher and broader demands of mature life.

Symbols: Kite and Twin Stars
Flower: Black and Gold Pansy
Colors: Black and Gold
Philanthropy: Court Appointed Special Advocates
Founding: DePauw University, 1870
Required GPA: 2.5

Kappa Kappa Gamma (Zeta Tau Chapter)

Kappa Kappa Gamma is an organization of women, which seeks for every member throughout her life bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development, and an understanding of and allegiance to positive ethical principles.

Symbols: Key and Owl
Flower: Fleur-de-lis
Colors: Light Blue and Dark Blue
Philanthropy: National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA), and the Kelsey Durkin Memorial Foundation
Founding: Monmouth College, 1870
Required GPA: 2.7

Pi Beta Phi (Virginia Theta Chapter)

The mission of Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women is to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential, and enrich lives through community service.

Symbols: Angels and Arrows
Flower: Wine Carnation
Colors: Wine and Silver Blue
Philanthropy: Read Lead Achieve
Founding: Monmouth College, 1867
Required GPA: 2.5

Local Organization (Panhellenic Associate Member)

Delta Society

Established in 2017, Delta Society is a student-governed organization comprised of highly-motivated women who are committed to community service, academic excellence, personal growth, and honorable living.

Symbol: Shamrock
Flower: White Rose
Color: Green
Philanthropy: Project Horizon
Founding: 2017
Required GPA: 2.5

Panhellenic Recruitment Guidelines

Recruitment is a period of time during which potential new members (PNMs) are to become familiar with the values and members of each sorority on Washington and Lee's campus.

The following guidelines are put in place in an effort to:

Maintain Panhellenic unity
Ensure a healthy recruitment experience for PNMs and our sorority women
Acknowledge agreements/rules that facilitate a fair recruitment process

Please bear in mind that the Washington and Lee honor system applies to all aspects of student life, including sorority recruitment. All sorority women are responsible for understanding and observing the membership recruitment guidelines, and all are subject to Panhellenic conduct action in the event of a violation of these rules.

All NPC Unanimous Agreements and Panhellenic regulations on contact shall be upheld.
A membership recruitment budget will be established by the CPH Recruitment Committee before the end of the spring term prior to recruitment.
A member of a sorority may not buy for or give anything to a potential new member during informal recruitment. After formal recruitment, this role does not apply.
There may be at most, one more sorority woman than potential new member on sorority outings. The potential new members may outnumber the sorority women without restriction. This rule should be upheld strictly during informal and formal recruitment.
There will be no promising of bids directly or indirectly by any member, new member or alumna, of a fraternity.
Potential new members, including sophomores, are required to:
1. Meet the GPA requirement of 2.5 before being eligible for recruitment and earning 12 Washington and Lee credits before formal recruitment.
PNMs, are not permitted to:
1. Visit sorority houses during fall term including sophomores (except to attend open recruitment events). After formal recruitment, PNMs are allowed in communal spaces during Winter and Spring Term.
2. Actively participate in sorority sponsored sisterhood events or Panhellenic programming geared specifically towards affiliated sorority women.
3. Attend a closed sorority sponsored social event.
  - PNMs are allowed to attend formals during Winter and Spring Term.
  - PNMs are not allowed at all other closed social events throughout the year.
4. Go out before 10:00 PM, this includes open parties. This excludes date functions, i.e. Parents Weekend, Young Alumni, Weekend, etc.

Potential new members are strongly encouraged to attend Meet the Greek events and open philanthropy events of all chapters.

Note: Biological sisters may continue their normal sibling relationship without boundaries; however, older sisters must obey Panhellenic rules in the presence of other PNMs. Sophomore PNMs should continue normal roommate relationships during the recruitment process.

What to Know About Recommendations and Legacy Status

Recommendation letters are not required at Washington & Lee; however, if there is an alumna of a sorority that wishes to write a statement on behalf of a Potential New Member, they are welcome to do so. These letters are another way for the individual chapters to get to know the PNMs, but they are not weighed heavily in the formal recruitment process.

Please note that the alumnae does not have to be an alumnae of a W&L chapter.

Since W&L has deferred formal recruitment, recommendations can be submitted until the end of fall term. Letters can be sent directly to the individual chapter houses and addressed to the Recruitment Chair. Letters should be addressed as follows:

[Chapter Name]
Attn: Recruitment Chair
204 W Washington Street
Lexington, VA 24450

Legacy Status

As stated in the MOI, a legacy is a daughter, sister or granddaughter of an initiated member of a sorority. Each NPC member organization has its own definition of and invitation policies regarding legacies. There are no Panhellenic regulations regarding the placement of legacies. Legacy regulations and placement on the chapter's bid list are specific to each chapter and member organization.

Formal Recruitment Advice

Recruitment counselors (rho gammas) are great resources and will be around all week to help you - contact them.
Sorority women must follow strict silence from the end of Preference Round until Bid Day. Keep this in mind if you are not approached after Preference Round and before Bid Day.
Eat dinner and stay hydrated; days and nights are long and having energy will help you through them.
Do NOT go out to parties - focus on academics in between recruitment.
Keep an open mind and ignore misleading stereotypes.
Think about what you want to know ahead of time and ask questions about the chapters during each night's party.
Make your decision based on what sorority you feel comfortable visiting and where you feel most ‘at home.’

Recruitment Support
Support Triangle

Rho Gamma - all of the RGs go through training that makes them reliable resources when it comes to the recruitment process and the Greek experience. If you are trying to decide about Greek life and/or where you might fit best, talk to your RG.
Resident Adviser - utilize your RA as a resource. This is someone that has gotten to know you well and may be able to help you prepare for recruitment and/or help you through the process.
Peer Counselor - remember that all of the PCs are available to any student during any time of recruitment. Go to a PC if you are in need of a third resource.

Rho Gammas

Rho Gammas, also known as recruitment counselors, are students that have temporarily disaffiliated from their respective sororities in order to guide YOU through the recruitment process. Rho Gammas are assigned to each first-year hall and have been chosen to make your recruitment experience as enjoyable as possible. They have no contact with their sororities during formal recruitment and follow rules of silence with their sisters; therefore, you can trust them with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the recruitment process. They will have answers to your questions, so please don't hesitate to ask!

2023-2024 National Panhellenic Recruitment - Important Dates

Sunday, September 17, 2023 ~ Information Session #1: Introduction to Sorority Life ~ Stackhouse Theater ~ 1:30 PM
Sunday, September 17, 2023 ~ Meet the Greek Fair ~ Cannan Green ~ 4:00 PM
Friday, October 6, 2023 ~ Sorority Information Session & Open Houses ~ Stackhouse Theater/Sorority Row ~ 2:00 PM Info Session, 3:00 PM Open Houses
Sunday, October 22, 2023 ~ Information Session #2: Financials and Logistics of Greek Life ~ Stackhouse Theater ~ 2:00 PM
Sunday, October 22, 2023 ~ Meet the Greek #2: S'mores Event ~ Law School Pavilion ~ 7:00 PM
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 ~ PNM Online Registration Opens at 9:00 AM
Sunday, December 3, 2023 ~ Information Session #3: Formal Recruitment ~ Stackhouse Theater ~ 2:00 PM
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 ~ PNM Online Registration Closes at 11:59 PM

Formal Recruitment Attire

Night 1: Open House

Purpose: To introduce potential new members to each chapter and sorority life at large.
Attire: Jeans, t-shirt provided by the Council, flats or boots.

Night 2: Sisterhood & Philanthropy

Purpose: To display sisterhood and chapter achievements through conversation and activities.
Attire: Jeans, t-shirt provided by the Council, flats or boots. *Note you may be sitting on the floor.*

Night 3: Preference

Purpose: To show potential new members what it truly means to be a chapter member and become a sister.
Attire: Cocktail dress or semi-formal outfit. *Note, many chapters wear black on preference night. We advise PNMs to wear a different color.*

What else should I know about Greek Life at W&L?

Sorority Meal Plan

All NPC sorority members are required to participate in a sorority meal plan. "Live-in" residents are required to enroll in the "live-in" meal plan. All other members have their choice of the three meal plan options as described on the meal plan contract. More information can be found here.

Financial Information

NPC has a 2020 policy that states, "All chapters will share detailed financial information (member dues, chapter fees and assessments, etc.) with potential new members prior to extending a bid." The Panhellenic Council will review all financial information with potential new members at the second information session as seen in the Important Dates section of this guidebook. A breakdown of all costs can be viewed here.

A Glossary of NPC Terms

Active: An undergraduate sorority member initiated by her chapter.

Alumna: A sorority member who has graduated from their collegiate chapter; plural is alumnae.

Bid: A formal, written invitation to join a sorority.

Chapter: The local membership unit of a national sorority.

Informal Recruitment: A period during the Fall Semester through which PNMs are introduced to all NPC sororities, through Meet the Greek events, and informal meetings and events.

Formal Recruitment: A designated membership recruitment period during which a series of organized events are held by each sorority; recruitment is coordinated and supervised by Panhellenic Council.

Hazing: To recklessly or intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a club, organization, association, fraternity, sorority, or student body regardless of whether the student or students so endangered or injured or participated voluntarily in the relevant activity.

Initiation: Ritualistic ceremony during which new members receive life-long membership privileges.

Legacy: A daughter, sister or granddaughter of an initiated member of a sorority.

Meet the Greek Events: Activities organized by the Panhellenic Recruitment Chair to provide more opportunities for actives and potential members to interact.

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC): A body composed of 26 national women's fraternities, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college women, undergraduates, and alumnae.

New Member: A woman who has accepted a sorority bid but is not yet an initiated member.

Panhellenic Association: A cooperative campus organization of collegiate members of NPC sororities

Panhellenic Council: The governing body of the Panhellenic association; composed of a seven-member executive council and delegates from each chapter.

Potential New Member: Any woman interested in becoming a sorority member who has matriculated and is eligible according to Panhellenic requirements.

Preferential Bidding: A mutual selection process for chapters and potential new members.

Quota: The number of potential new members to which each chapter can offer bids during primary recruitment. This is determined with a formula involving the number of chapters and the number of women participating in bid matching.

Recommendation/Reference: A letter written by an alumna to a chapter of her sorority recommending a woman for membership.

Recruitment Counselor (Rho Gamma): A Panhellenic representative who has no contact with her own chapter during Formal Recruitment and is available to guide women through the recruitment process and to answer questions.

Sorority: A Greek-letter sisterhood. There are 5 NPC sororities, 1 local Panhellenic Associate sorority, and 2 NPHC sororities at W&L.

NPHC Greek Terminology

Active Member: An undergraduate member who has been initiated, paid chapter and national dues, maintains the GPA requirements, and serves on the chapter’s active roster.

BGLO: Black Greek Letter Organization.

Calls: A unique vocal expression attributed to an organization. (Don’t: Repeat an organization’s particular call or response. It is considered a sign of disrespect.)

Chapter: A local membership unit of a national or international sorority or fraternity; differs between graduate and undergraduate members.

Charter: The creation of a local chapter that is affiliated with a college or university campus.

Club/Number: A term used to denote someone who has the same line number as you.

Crossing: A term used by NPHC groups to indicate that a new member has been fully initiated into a group (ex. “crossed the burning sands”)

Divine Nine: Refers to the nine organizations represented in the NPHC. W&L has four of these organizations: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Frat: The term used by a fraternity brother to identify another fraternity brother.

Membership Intake Process (M.I.P.): Refers to the process organizations use to bring new members into an organization.

Legacy: A man or woman whose mother/father, sister/brother, or in some cases grandmother/grandfather, is an alumna/alumnus or active member of a sorority or fraternity.

Line: Individuals going through the membership intake process together.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC): NPHC is the governing body comprised of the 9 National historically African-American fraternities and sororities.

Neophyte: A new member of an NPHC fraternity or sorority.

Prophyte: Someone who has been a member of an NPHC group for a year or more, or someone who has initiated new members.

Probate: Official public display of initiation often includes steps, strolls, songs and poetry unique to the organization. This is the first time newly initiated members of each NPHC fraternity/sorority are revealed to the rest of campus.

Sands: The term used to refer to men and women who were initiated in the same term and year (ex. Fall 2018 or Spring 2020).

Signs: A unique display expressed by hand symbols (Don’t: Imitate an organization’s sign. It is a sign of disrespect.)

Soror: A term used by a sorority sister to identify another sorority sister.

Strolling: When organization members line up and express pride for their organization. Members express their pride through dance and may incorporate their organization’s call, hand signs, or steps into it. (Don’t: Imitate the stroll or cut in between members of the line. This is considered a sign of disrespect.)

Yard: A term used by NPHC groups to indicate their campus.