This week, we have been talking about some of the jargon shared used when talking about greek life. We kicked off the series by defining groups of greeks such as: Neophyte, Prophyte, and Sandz. Then turned our focus to the groups that go through the intake process together: Lines or Pledge Classes. Today, we will tackle the special bonds shared by big brothers/sisters and their respective littles as well as the bond shared between izms.

The basic concept is simple. A sorority or frat becomes a family. The words we’re defining today put a name to the pairing between a person who is undergoing the intake process and a current member of the organization. The purpose is to offer guidance, and special attention, guide them through the pledge process. Once the intake process complete, that bond doesn’t sever. The older brother or sister takes their respective little brother, little sister or ism under their wing and brings them into the fold of the sorority. It is truly a special bond that is shared between the pair.

The difference in wording can be attributed to how the pairings are done by the varying types of organizations. Big Brothers/Big Sister is commonly used by members of the NPC and IFC to define the pairing. NALFO, and NMGC organizations typically use big brothers and big sisters as well, and sometimes variations of it ( i.e Sigma Lambda Gamma and Sigma Lambda Beta who use mom/daughter and father/son respectively.)

NPHC on the other hand likes to use the term izm. Like we mentioned in an earlier post, members of the NPHC pledge in a line. So their focus is on that type of intake and the number assigned to the potential new member as they undergo the intake process. The way they do their pairings is a bit different. One specific big brother or big sister isn’t assigned to a potential new member. How it works as that there is an affinity created by those who shared the same place (Number) in the line. In short, it’s one big numerical family.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting a little further insight into Greek Life and some of the jargon commonly used. Stay tuned for a more in depth look at the different National Greek Councils next week.

While it’s great to learn more about Greek life, and we love that you’re reading the blogs.  We thought it would be fun to show the terms in action.

Enjoy the footage from a Kappa Alpha Psi Show

Prophyte Entrance

Neophyte Entrance

We began the week sharing some jargon used to describe groups of greeks such as: Neophyte, Prophyte, and Sandz.  This post will turn its attention to another group of greeks.  More specifically the groups that go through the intake process together:  Lines or Pledge Classes.

Any greek will tell you they love all their brothers or sisters.  While this may be true, there is a special bond that is forged with the men or women who go through recruitment and the pledge process with you.  That alone adds great value to both of the words, yet there is also a significance in the fact the choosing one over the other can offer a glimpse into the type of organization joined, and perhaps even into pledge process the person underwent. Although some use the terms “line” or “pledge class” interchangeable,  there are also some serious distinctions.

Pledge Classes

Used most commonly by the NPC and IFC, it is the term describe the group of men and women who are going through/or went through the intake process for the organization  together.

Lines

Commonly used by members of the NPHC, MGC, and NALFO and other minority greeks for the group those who went through the intake process to join the frat or sorority at the same time.

More greek jargon to come later this week.