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 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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" |
| National Panhellenic Conference | The national umbrella organization that represents 26 national sororities and women''s fraternities. |
| National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) | A national umbrella organization for 16 Latino Greek-letter organizations. |
| Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) | The local governing body for the multicultural Greek-letter organizations located on Grand Valley''s campus. |
| Mom/Dad | A term referring to a mentor member of a Greek-letter organization. Commonly used by MGC organizations. |
| Little | A term referring to a mentee member of a Greek organization. |
| Line/Ship | People who are members of the same intake class, typically used by culturally based Greek-letter organizations. |
| 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. |
| Legacy | A prospective member who has a family member in the same Greek organization. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Inter/National Headquater | The business center of the Greek-letter organizations based around the country. |
| Interfraternity Council | A local extension of the North American Interfraternity Conference, a National umbrella organization that represents 70+ fraternal organizations. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Informational | A meeting held by a chapter for prospective members who are seeking general information about the organization. |
Page last modified June 30, 2026