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 |
|---|---|
| Inter/National Headquater | The business center of the Greek-letter organizations based around the country. |
| Jump | A way for Panhellenic potential new members to claim their new sisterhood. Each new member receives her bid and then gets on stage and announces which organization they are joining and jump off the stage to run to their group of new sisters waiting for them. |
| Laker Link | LakerLink is the official registration program for all registered student organization at GVSU. LakerLink is your way to connect to organizations, communicate with members, and explore your community. |
| Legacy | A prospective member who has a family member in the same Greek organization. |
| Line Number | The numerical designation given to a member according to the place they occupy in the line or organization. Commonly worn on the back of a jacket or T-Shirt, typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| Line/Ship | People who are members of the same intake class, typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| Little | A term referring to a mentee member of a Greek organization. |
| Mom/Dad | A term referring to a mentor member of a Greek-letter organization. Commonly used by MGC organizations. |
| Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) | The local governing body for the multicultural Greek-letter organizations located on Grand Valley''s campus. |
| National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) | A national umbrella organization for 16 Latino Greek-letter organizations. |
| National Panhellenic Conference | The national umbrella organization that represents 26 national sororities and women''s fraternities. |
| National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) | The national umbrella organization for the nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities, sometimes referred to as "the Divine Nine" |
| Neophyte | A newly initiated member of a Greek Organization. The Neophyte period is usually a year or until the next line/class of new members comes through the organization. Sometimes referred to as "Neo," typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| New Member/Associate | A member who has not been initiated. A person who has been accepted as a probationary member of a Greek-organization and is in the process to become a full member. |
| New Member Class | People who are members of the same new member class. |
| New Member Educator | The chapter member who is responsible for educating the newest line/class of new members. |
| New Member Period | Upon receiving a bid, this term is used to refer to the time during which an associate is in process of becoming a full member. Depending on the organization, this can be anywhere from 48 hours to 10 weeks. |
| New Member Presentation/Coming out Show | A show used to introduce new members of the organization. The new members are usually kept a secret until they are revealed. Typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| Office of Student Life (OSL) | The Office of Student Life of Grand Valley State University is the central office for student activities related to registered student organizations, leadership, University events and traditions, and more. The OSL is located in Kirkhof Center. |
| Order of Omega | An honor society for sorority and fraternity members who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic achievement. |
Page last modified June 30, 2026