greek life dictionary
Alcohol Free Initiative
This is a national initiative that has prohibited all NPC (sorority) chapters from co-sponsoring any social events where alcohol is present. That means that all of our sorority chapters here at Widener are not permitted to co-sponsor (attend) any party or social where alcohol is being consumed starting in the fall semester 2000.
All-Greek Averages
All Greek averages are the mathematical GPA averages of all the fraternities and sororities put together. These figures are used to compare grades within student populations and to make inferences regarding programming.
Association for Fraternity Advisors (AFA)
This is an organization for fraternity and sorority advisors and graduate students that work with fraternity and sorority organizations. The purpose is to provide a system for learning and sharing ideas, a means toward scholarship and professional tools for use in assisting fraternities and sororities in their development and growth. Widener University's Greek Advisor is an active member and can give anyone interested more information about this organization.
Bid
A bid is a formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority. Bid's come in the form of an official bid card that is presented to you by members of the inviting organization. Traditionally, one accepts a bid at the end of the Rush/Recruitment week at a function held by the inviting organization.
Chapter House
Chapter houses are what the fraternity or sorority houses are commonly referred to on campus. Most chapter houses on campus are owned and operated by the university.Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group (F.I.P.G.)
This is a consortium of Fraternities that have joined together for two reasons; First - To adopt a comprehensive Risk Management plan that would help reduce exposure to risk, and second - To use group purchasing power to gain better coverage and obtain lower premiums on insurance. Currently, six of our Greek letter organizations are members and subscribe to F.I.P.G. guidelines.
Greek 101
Greek 101 is a series of educational programs designed by the Greek 101 Chairperson and delivered to the rest of the Greek community. Past topics have included alcohol and substance abuse, eating disorders, hazing, how to get the most out of your Greek experience, and how Greek life can benefit you in the workforce. Typically Greek 101's are held three times per semester and are mandatory for all Greek students.
Greek Week
Greek week is a week that occurs during the Spring semester, and is completely planning and implemented by the Greek community. The week consists of various competitions such as a tug o' war, song fest', flag football, donut eating contest, and more. This week allows members of the Greek community an opportunity to show spirit for their organization and also for Widener University.
Hazing
Hazing is defined as "subjecting someone to abusive and/or humiliating mental or physical harm". This activity has been sanctioned by Widener University and is not tolerated by any of the national fraternities and sororities. Strict rules and penalties exist at Widener regarding the mental and/or physical abuse of anyone involved in the fraternity or sorority. Please refer to the Hazing statement and information section of the Greek Life pages.
Initiation
Initiation is a ritual that a fraternity or sorority holds in order to induct their "pledges" (also called associates or new members) into the organization. This also is a secret activity and is unique to each fraternity or sorority.
Interfraternity Council (IFC)
The governing body of the Fraternities on campus. Traditionally, meetings are held on Monday afternoons at 12:00 noon. All Fraternities are required to be in attendance through their president and their IFC representative, in order to conduct business. Meetings are held in parliamentary procedure and include reports from various IFC chairmen.
Legacy
A legacy is someone who has a member of their family that currently belongs to the fraternity they are looking into.
National Interfraternity Conference (NIC)
A consortium of National Fraternities and Sororities whose purpose is to define policies and procedures for National Greek Letter Organizations.
National Order of Omega
This is a National Honor Fraternity for Fraternity or Sorority members that maintain a grade point average above the All-Greek average, have distinguished themselves as leaders in the Widener Greek community, have exemplary character and are either juniors or seniors. These individuals are nominated and voted upon by the university community and then inducted by current members of the Order, at the end of the year.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
The national group of 26 women's sororities in North America. Representatives from each national sorority get together to support and promote sororities across North America.Nationals
Fraternity and Sorority members often refer to their national/international headquarters or offices as "Nationals". These offices are responsible for making policies for the individual chapters at different colleges and universities.
Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA)
The NGLA is a result of the merger between the Northeast Interfraternity Conference (NEIFC) and the Northeast Panhellenic Conference (NEPC). The NEIFC was created on November 15, 1982. The NEPC was created on March 1, 1984. The NEPC was created via a resolution of the National Panhellenic Conference because the Northeast was the only area of the country that did not have a regional conference for sorority women. During this meeting it was decided, by a vote of the schools in attendance, that the women hold their yearly meeting with the NEIFC. Thus the NGLA was formed as the governing body of all Greek Organizations in the Northeastern United States.
Informal Recruitment
Informal Recruitment occurs in the fall and is for women seeking membership in a sorority. This means that a sorority can take as many new members as they want, without being concerned with the previously mentioned quota figure.
Panhellenic Council (PH)
The governing body of the sororities on campus. Meetings are usually held on mondays at 12:30pm. All sororities are required to be in attendance through their president and their panhel representative in order to conduct business. The meeting follows parliamentary procedures and includes reports from the Panhel committee. Panhel promotes unity, equality, and sisterhood.Philanthropy
This is a community service project held by a fraternity or sorority or both. Widener University Greek students perform a number of these projects each year, and most National Fraternities and Sororities require their chapters to do one large project per year. Our chapters are extremely involved in university and community service participating in such events as MS Walk, Chester community cleanup, events benefiting Cancer Research and also numerous food and clothing drives benefiting needy area residents. Widener University is very proud of the community service projects our students participate in every year.
Quota
During the Spring semester, sororities are required to follow very strict guidelines with respect to the number of new members they may accept into their organization in order to produce an equitable sorority system. The quota at Widener is 50 members. This means that each sorority can only accept a certain number of members up to 50 before they must stop and allow other sororities on campus an opportunity to reach that level as well.
Recruitment Week
These events occur at the beginning of each semester and function as informative sessions for non-Greeks to get to know the members of our Fraternities and Sororities. These events are held throughout the course of the week and are meant to give students an opportunity to meet and decide which Fraternity or Sorority they would like to join. Each organization holds activities on designated nights during the week so students can get to know the basics of each organization. Although recruitment week only lasts a week, students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the year and any brother or sister would be happy to answer questions anytime during the year.
Risk Management
Risk management is a system for decreasing the chance for injury or accidents in a given area, in this case a fraternity or sorority house. Widener Universities Interfraternity Council has an elected Risk Manager that serves to protect Greek students and make and enforce rules. These Risk Management policies are to protect our fraternity and sorority members from issues relating to illegal drinking and substance use and abuse, fire code regulations, hazing, legal implications of fraternity and sorority affairs, and social events such as parties and socials. Widener University Greek members are an important part of the process of making and enforcing Risk Management policies.
Rituals
Rituals are activities usually secret in nature, known only to the members of a given fraternity or sorority. Rituals are what make a Greek letter organization unique and so often times these activities and the materials used to conduct these activities are held in the strictest of confidence among members.
Recruitment Counselors
During Sorority Recruitment in the spring semester, Rho Chi's are designated for groups of women for the purpose of guiding them through the Recruitment process. Rho Chi women are specially trained and are unbiased members of the Greek community while the Recruitment period is taking place. As a woman going through Recruitment in the spring, you can rely on these guides to provide you with information on the various opportunities available within each sorority.
Social
An event that is held between a hosting fraternity (or sometimes two fraternities) and a sorority, (or sometimes two sororities). Typically these events have a theme.
Substance Free Housing
Most fraternities and sororities have adopted policies prohibiting the use of alcoholic beverages in chapter houses. To date, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity is the only fraternity at Widener that has adopted this policy. All sorority chapters at Widener are not permitted to have alcohol on the chapter house premises.
Office of Student Life
Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013-5792
tel: 610-499-4411
fax: 610-499-1275
studentlife@mail.widener.edu
Assistant Dean of
Student Life
Nicole Masone
Assistant Director,
Student Organizations & Programming
Administrative Assistant
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