Glossary of Terms
Fraternity and Sorority Life has its own terminology that you may encounter throughout the joining process and membership experience. Whether you’re exploring our community for the first time or looking up a specific term, this glossary is designed to help you better understand the language, traditions, and programs that make up Fraternity and Sorority Life at Grand Valley State University.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Daughter/Son | A term referring to a mentee member of an organization. |
| De-letter/Disaffiliate | A member of an organization that chooses to no longer be a member of that organization. They are removed from membership. |
| Division of Student Affairs | The Division of Student Affairs is comprised of departments, programs, facilities, and services supported by more than 150 professional and graduate staff. The Vice President for Student Affairs serves as the university's senior student affairs officer and provides divisional leadership. |
| Drop Line | A student who withdraws from a chapter after accepting bid or being inducted, but before initiated, typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| Dues | The monetary costs of membership in a fraternity or sorority. The fees are used to cover the costs of operation, formal events, social activities, and other events, depending on the organization. |
| Faculty/Staff Advisor (RSO Advisor) | An advisor for a student organization that also works for the host institution in some capacity. In Fraternity and Sorority Life, the advisor is also often affiliated with a Greek organization. |
| Fraternity | A Greek-letter organization for men or a co-ed organization. |
| Governing Council | A student executive board, usually an extension of a National governing council, which functions as an overseer of multiple chapters. These executive boards have judicial authority over the chapters they work with. |
| Grand Valley Police Department (GVPD) | The local law enforcement is located on Grand Valley's campus. The Department of Public Safety is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Department of Public Safety patrols campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide a safe environment for the Grand Valley community. Non-emergency number: (616) 331-3255 |
| Greek Life | The on-campus community of fraternities and sororities. |
| Greek Life Board (GLB) | A student executive board comprised of member of each governing council that does not have a judicial capacity. |
| Handshake/Grip | A special handshake unique to each organization. Only initiated members will know the handshake. |
| Hand Sign | Symbol or gesture made with the hand(s) that signifies membership in a particular organization, typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| Hazing | Hazing defined by Grand Valley is an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Participation or cooperation by the person(s) being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent (and/or) failing to discourage (and/or) failing to report those acts may also violate this policy. For more information, visit: https://www.gvsu.edu/policies/policy.htm?policyId=266C25E2-0736-9C37-5B87EF6860EB113A |
| Informational | A meeting held by a chapter for prospective members who are seeking general information about the organization. |
| Initiation | The traditional ritual, which brings the new member into full membership. The private ceremony in which a new member becomes a fully initiated member. Initiation ceremonies and rituals are private and secret and may only be attended by initiated members or those to be initiated. |
| Intake | The membership recruitment and induction process for NPHC. The process is very discreet, and the interested person usually knows which group they want to pursue before attending any of their events. |
| Interest Group | A group of individuals on campus in the first stage of the process leading to installation as a chapter of a Greek-letter organization. |
| Interest Meeting | A formal meeting held by the organization for potential members that detail the application process and rules of the organization generally geared to potential members who have a serious interest. |
| Interfraternity Council | A local extension of the North American Interfraternity Conference, a National umbrella organization that represents 70+ fraternal organizations. |
Page last modified June 30, 2026