Learn How to Speak Greek
Active Member — an undergraduate member of a chapter who is in good standing. An active member may be an associate member or an initiate.
Alumni Association — a group of alumni from a particular chapter or region who meet regularly to enjoy brotherhood, friendships, and fun.
Alumni Brother — a member of Lambda Chi Alpha who is no longer enrolled in undergraduate studies.
Annual Fund — the annual campaign that produces funding to support educational and leadership programs of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member — a member who has joined Lambda Chi Alpha but has not been fully initiated. The term “pledge” is not used to refer to a new member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member Pin — a pin having Greek letters and triangles worn only by associate members of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Badge — a crescent-shaped pin worn only by initiated members of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Bid — an invitation to membership.
Big Brother — the person who serves as a special guide and counselor for a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Big Brother Coordinator — a member of the chapter Fraternity Education Committee who coordinates the activities and program for big brothers.
Bylaws — a document written by each chapter that specifies its local policies. Bylaws are subordinate to the Constitution and Statutory Code, which governs all of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Chapter — a group of undergraduate members, officially chartered and recognized by Lambda Chi Alpha, at a given college or university.
Charter — an official document that grants full authority for a chapter to function.
Coat of Arms — the crest of Lambda Chi Alpha, which pictorially expresses our principles; may be worn by associate members and initiates.
Colonization — the establishment of a new colony of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Colony — the status of a new group of undergraduate members at a given college or university prior to meeting the standards for chartering and becoming a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Conclave — a region of Lambda Chi Alpha in North America, and an annual leadership conference within each region, usually during the spring semester.
Constitution — one of the documents that contains the laws, policies, and resolutions of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A three-fourths vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Cross & Crescent — a primary symbol of Lambda Chi Alpha, and the title of the our official magazine.
Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) — a Lambda Chi Alpha professional staff member who travels to chapters and provides counseling for officer programming and chapter operations.
Executive Committee — the judicial body of the chapter that is responsible for enforcing the laws of Lambda Chi Alpha and performs special administrative duties.
Faculty Initiate — a man who is a faculty member at a college or university who becomes an initiated member because of his connection with, and interest in, Lambda Chi Alpha.
Fraternity — an organization of college students and alumni; from the Latin noun fraternitas meaning “brotherhood.”
General Assembly — the legislative body of Lambda Chi Alpha, where undergraduates and alumni determine the laws and policies of the Fraternity; normally convenes once every two years during the summer.
General Fraternity — the organization consisting of all the active bodies of Lambda Chi Alpha, including chapters, colonies, alumni organizations, Grand High Zeta, Student Advisory Committee, and the professional staff.
Good Standing — the status of a chapter or member who is not presently under a disciplinary status.
Grand High Zeta (GHZ) — Lambda Chi Alpha’s Board of Directors. Composed of nine officers elected by the General Assembly to serve four-year terms, two selected by the elected Board members to serve two-year terms; two appointed by the Student Advisory Committee to serve a one-year term; and two appointed by the Council of Presidents to serve a one-year term. The interpretation of Fraternity laws and policy decisions are executed by the Grand High Zeta between General Assemblies.
Greek — term applied to members of fraternities and sororities.
Greek Adviser — fraternity system adviser, a professional administrator who is hired by the college or university to advise the fraternities on campus.
Hazing — any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce physical discomfort or mental discomfort by embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing is strictly forbidden in Lambda Chi Alpha.
High Alpha — the president of the chapter.
High Beta — the internal vice president of the chapter.
High Delta — the membership recruitment chairman of the chapter.
High Epsilon — the social chairman of the chapter.
High Gamma — the secretary of the chapter.
High Iota — the risk manager of the chapter.
High Kappa — the fraternity educator of the chapter.
High Pi — the chancellor and official alumni adviser of the chapter. Appointed by the Grand High Pi, he serves as the chief judicial officer of the chapter.
High Phi – the ritualist of the chapter.
High Rho — the alumni secretary of the chapter.
High Sigma — the academic and educational chairman of the chapter.
High Tau — the treasurer of the chapter.
High Theta — the external vice president of the chapter.
High Zeta — the chapter’s committee of officers, composed of 11 annually elected undergraduate members and one appointed alumnus.
Honorary Initiate — a man, not enrolled in college, who becomes an initiated member because of his connection with, and interest in, Lambda Chi Alpha.
House — a chapter’s living or meeting facility. Not used as a substitute for the word “chapter.”
House Corporation — the entity of alumni brothers that manages the operations of a specific Lambda Chi Alpha chapter house.
House Manager — an appointed chapter officer, responsible for managing the daily operations of a chapter house.
Initiate — a member who has participated in the Initiation Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Initiation — the act of being initiated, the ceremony of admission into Lambda Chi Alpha, the Initiation Ritual.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) — a group of fraternity representatives at a college or university established to promote the Greek system and maintain relationships among all Greek organizations.
International Headquarters — the building that houses the Office of Administration and the Mason Library and Museum. Located in Indianapolis.
Legacy — a relative of a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Member — a man who holds membership in Lambda Chi Alpha. Used to refer to associate members as well as initiated members.
North American Food Drive (NAFD) — Lambda Chi Alpha’s international philanthropic project, typically held on the first Saturday of November.
Office of Administration — the central office of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity that consists of the professional staff. Located in Indianapolis.
Panhellenic — refers to college or alumnae groups representing women’s fraternities, established to promote the Greek system and maintain relations among all Greek organizations.
Pan-Hellenic — a group of historically African-American men and women’s fraternity representatives at a college or university established to promote the Greek system and maintain relationships among all Greek organizations.
Pledge — a solemn promise or agreement. Also, the name given to non-initiated members of many other fraternities and the term for new members of Lambda Chi Alpha until 1972. “Pledge” is never used in reference to an associate member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Pre-Initiation — a period of heightened Lambda Chi Alpha activities prior to the Initiation Ritual.
Prospective Brother — a student considering membership in Lambda Chi Alpha, or a student that a chapter is interested in becoming a brother. Recruitment – the process of replenishing the membership of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Ritual — an official ceremony of Lambda Chi Alpha that is intended to turn ideal behavior into action behavior.
Risk Management — the process of minimizing accidents and liable situations. Sorority – a women’s fraternity, from the Latin word “soro,” meaning “sister.”
Standards for Chapter Excellence — a program of evaluation, goal setting, and implementation that allows members, officers, and chapters to track improvement in all areas of chapter operations.
Statutory Code — one of the documents that contains the laws, policies, and resolutions of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A majority vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity — Founded on June 9, 1924, this national fraternity merged with Lambda Chi Alpha in 1939.
ZAX Sessions — ritual education or program sessions outside the formal ceremonies that increases the understanding of Lambda Chi Alpha principles and helps turn our ideals into actions.
Zeta — a term used to refer to individual chapters of Lambda Chi Alpha. Zeta Alpha Chi (ZAX) – the initials of the words of a secret motto of Lambda Chi Alpha, the meaning of which is revealed during the Initiation Ritual.
Alumni Association — a group of alumni from a particular chapter or region who meet regularly to enjoy brotherhood, friendships, and fun.
Alumni Brother — a member of Lambda Chi Alpha who is no longer enrolled in undergraduate studies.
Annual Fund — the annual campaign that produces funding to support educational and leadership programs of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member — a member who has joined Lambda Chi Alpha but has not been fully initiated. The term “pledge” is not used to refer to a new member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Associate Member Pin — a pin having Greek letters and triangles worn only by associate members of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Badge — a crescent-shaped pin worn only by initiated members of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Bid — an invitation to membership.
Big Brother — the person who serves as a special guide and counselor for a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Big Brother Coordinator — a member of the chapter Fraternity Education Committee who coordinates the activities and program for big brothers.
Bylaws — a document written by each chapter that specifies its local policies. Bylaws are subordinate to the Constitution and Statutory Code, which governs all of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Chapter — a group of undergraduate members, officially chartered and recognized by Lambda Chi Alpha, at a given college or university.
Charter — an official document that grants full authority for a chapter to function.
Coat of Arms — the crest of Lambda Chi Alpha, which pictorially expresses our principles; may be worn by associate members and initiates.
Colonization — the establishment of a new colony of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Colony — the status of a new group of undergraduate members at a given college or university prior to meeting the standards for chartering and becoming a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Conclave — a region of Lambda Chi Alpha in North America, and an annual leadership conference within each region, usually during the spring semester.
Constitution — one of the documents that contains the laws, policies, and resolutions of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A three-fourths vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Cross & Crescent — a primary symbol of Lambda Chi Alpha, and the title of the our official magazine.
Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) — a Lambda Chi Alpha professional staff member who travels to chapters and provides counseling for officer programming and chapter operations.
Executive Committee — the judicial body of the chapter that is responsible for enforcing the laws of Lambda Chi Alpha and performs special administrative duties.
Faculty Initiate — a man who is a faculty member at a college or university who becomes an initiated member because of his connection with, and interest in, Lambda Chi Alpha.
Fraternity — an organization of college students and alumni; from the Latin noun fraternitas meaning “brotherhood.”
General Assembly — the legislative body of Lambda Chi Alpha, where undergraduates and alumni determine the laws and policies of the Fraternity; normally convenes once every two years during the summer.
General Fraternity — the organization consisting of all the active bodies of Lambda Chi Alpha, including chapters, colonies, alumni organizations, Grand High Zeta, Student Advisory Committee, and the professional staff.
Good Standing — the status of a chapter or member who is not presently under a disciplinary status.
Grand High Zeta (GHZ) — Lambda Chi Alpha’s Board of Directors. Composed of nine officers elected by the General Assembly to serve four-year terms, two selected by the elected Board members to serve two-year terms; two appointed by the Student Advisory Committee to serve a one-year term; and two appointed by the Council of Presidents to serve a one-year term. The interpretation of Fraternity laws and policy decisions are executed by the Grand High Zeta between General Assemblies.
Greek — term applied to members of fraternities and sororities.
Greek Adviser — fraternity system adviser, a professional administrator who is hired by the college or university to advise the fraternities on campus.
Hazing — any action taken or situation created intentionally to produce physical discomfort or mental discomfort by embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing is strictly forbidden in Lambda Chi Alpha.
High Alpha — the president of the chapter.
High Beta — the internal vice president of the chapter.
High Delta — the membership recruitment chairman of the chapter.
High Epsilon — the social chairman of the chapter.
High Gamma — the secretary of the chapter.
High Iota — the risk manager of the chapter.
High Kappa — the fraternity educator of the chapter.
High Pi — the chancellor and official alumni adviser of the chapter. Appointed by the Grand High Pi, he serves as the chief judicial officer of the chapter.
High Phi – the ritualist of the chapter.
High Rho — the alumni secretary of the chapter.
High Sigma — the academic and educational chairman of the chapter.
High Tau — the treasurer of the chapter.
High Theta — the external vice president of the chapter.
High Zeta — the chapter’s committee of officers, composed of 11 annually elected undergraduate members and one appointed alumnus.
Honorary Initiate — a man, not enrolled in college, who becomes an initiated member because of his connection with, and interest in, Lambda Chi Alpha.
House — a chapter’s living or meeting facility. Not used as a substitute for the word “chapter.”
House Corporation — the entity of alumni brothers that manages the operations of a specific Lambda Chi Alpha chapter house.
House Manager — an appointed chapter officer, responsible for managing the daily operations of a chapter house.
Initiate — a member who has participated in the Initiation Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Initiation — the act of being initiated, the ceremony of admission into Lambda Chi Alpha, the Initiation Ritual.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) — a group of fraternity representatives at a college or university established to promote the Greek system and maintain relationships among all Greek organizations.
International Headquarters — the building that houses the Office of Administration and the Mason Library and Museum. Located in Indianapolis.
Legacy — a relative of a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Member — a man who holds membership in Lambda Chi Alpha. Used to refer to associate members as well as initiated members.
North American Food Drive (NAFD) — Lambda Chi Alpha’s international philanthropic project, typically held on the first Saturday of November.
Office of Administration — the central office of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity that consists of the professional staff. Located in Indianapolis.
Panhellenic — refers to college or alumnae groups representing women’s fraternities, established to promote the Greek system and maintain relations among all Greek organizations.
Pan-Hellenic — a group of historically African-American men and women’s fraternity representatives at a college or university established to promote the Greek system and maintain relationships among all Greek organizations.
Pledge — a solemn promise or agreement. Also, the name given to non-initiated members of many other fraternities and the term for new members of Lambda Chi Alpha until 1972. “Pledge” is never used in reference to an associate member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Pre-Initiation — a period of heightened Lambda Chi Alpha activities prior to the Initiation Ritual.
Prospective Brother — a student considering membership in Lambda Chi Alpha, or a student that a chapter is interested in becoming a brother. Recruitment – the process of replenishing the membership of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Ritual — an official ceremony of Lambda Chi Alpha that is intended to turn ideal behavior into action behavior.
Risk Management — the process of minimizing accidents and liable situations. Sorority – a women’s fraternity, from the Latin word “soro,” meaning “sister.”
Standards for Chapter Excellence — a program of evaluation, goal setting, and implementation that allows members, officers, and chapters to track improvement in all areas of chapter operations.
Statutory Code — one of the documents that contains the laws, policies, and resolutions of Lambda Chi Alpha, as enacted by the General Assembly. A majority vote of the General Assembly is required for its amendment.
Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity — Founded on June 9, 1924, this national fraternity merged with Lambda Chi Alpha in 1939.
ZAX Sessions — ritual education or program sessions outside the formal ceremonies that increases the understanding of Lambda Chi Alpha principles and helps turn our ideals into actions.
Zeta — a term used to refer to individual chapters of Lambda Chi Alpha. Zeta Alpha Chi (ZAX) – the initials of the words of a secret motto of Lambda Chi Alpha, the meaning of which is revealed during the Initiation Ritual.