This page lists some common words and terms you may not know if you are unfamiliar with the University Greek System.

Active: A commonly used word to describe an undergraduate member of the Fraternity. In Beta Theta Pi, we also call these men "collegiate members." An active has gone through the new member education process and has been initiated.

Administrative Office: The term used to refer to Beta Theta Pi's international headquarters, which houses the offices for our leadership consultants, communication staff, and Foundation. Our Administrative Office is located in Oxford, Ohio. This is often abbreviated as "A/O."

Alumnus: A member of a fraternity who is no longer an undergraduate in college.

Bid: A fraternity's official, written invitation to join its organization.

Big Brother: A collegiate member who serves as a mentor for a new member. A Big Brother is selected for each new member during his member education period.

Bylaws: A set of rules determined by the Chapter, which outlines the guidelines and policies to successfully run the Chapter.

Chapter: A chartered group of undergraduate members of a fraternity. John Carroll is known as the Eta Epsilon Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Chapter Meeting: A weekly meeting of all a fraternity's brothers congregating to discuss, debate, and vote on the business and affairs of the Fraternity.

Colony: Status of a group of collegiate members preparing to qualify for official chartering by a fraternity. John Carroll was a colony before being granted its Charter at the 171st General Convention in August 2010.

Convention: A large meeting of brothers (usually the Chapter Presidents) from every chapter in Beta's Broad Domain. A Convention is held annually to discuss issues on an international level, as well as to analyze a Colony's qualifications to receive a Charter. The 2011 General Convention was held in Seattle, Washington, while the 2012 version will be held in Chicago, Illinois and the 2013 edition will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Depledge: To quit or drop out of a fraternity between new member induction and initiation (commonly referred to as the new member education period).

Dry Recruitment: Bans the use or presence of alcohol or any illegal substance by a fraternity during recruitment season. All Beta Theta Pi chapters follow this form of recruitment.

Formal Recruitment: Organized during the Fall Semester by the Interfraternity Council (IFC), consisting of opportunities for registered men to experience and meet the brothers of the University's fraternities. The official time in which fraternities extend bids to prospective members.

Frat: An unacceptable term for any fraternity in the Greek community.

General Convention: See "Convention."

General Fraternity: A term referring to Beta Theta Pi Fraternity on a national (or international) level.

Hazing: A term used to define actions required of new or collegiate members which may cause psychological, mental, or physical harm or discomfort to the person or persons involved. Beta Theta Pi Fraternity does not stand for any form of hazing.

Induction: A ceremony immediately following the acceptance of a bid, which begins the new member education process leading up to Initiation. The period between the two ceremonies is approximately eight weeks.

Informal Recruitment: Organized in the Fall or Spring Semester, the period of Informal Recruitment has no dates set by the IFC. Each fraternity may specify its own timeline for the bid process.

Initiation: Fraternity Ritual in which new members are granted full knowledge of the Fraternity's lore. Following this ceremony, the new members become collegiate members.

Interfraternity Council (IFC): Organization run by the fraternities on campus. The IFC legislature consists of the presidents of each fraternity, as well as an executive board elected from the individual fraternities. The IFC coordinates Formal Recruitment.

Legacy: A collegiate member who is a relative of another initiated fraternity brother.

New Member: Status granted to one who has accepted his bid and has been inducted, but has not yet become a collegiate member by way of Initiation.

New Member Class: A group of men who received bids during the same recruitment season, and take part in the same new member education process. Classes are denoted by a Greek Letter (in alphabetical order). The Class forming in Spring 2012 will be the "Theta" Class.

Philanthropy: An organization or multiple organizations which are supported through service or fundraising efforts by a fraternity.

Pledge: See "New Member."

Potential New Member: Any non-Greek-affiliated male, particularly one who has shown interest in becoming a new member of the Fraternity.

Ritual: Official ceremony of a fraternity intended to explain the history, lore, laws, signs, symbols, purposes, and standards of the Fraternity.

Sitting on a Bid: The state where a potential new member has received a bid from a fraternity, but has not yet made a decision whether to accept or decline the bid.