Prospective Students and Parents

February 12, 2013

Dear Student:

The University at Albany is home to thirty eight recognized social and cultural fraternities, sororities and social fellowships. Each of these organizations was founded on the fundamentals of Brotherhood/Sisterhood, Academic Excellence, Leadership and Community Service. These organizations strive to make a positive impact on their members and this University in many ways, including outstanding on-campus programs and events and thousands of hours of community service.

Pledging for many of the recognized groups is currently underway and second semester freshmen are free to pledge any recognized group. If you are considering joining a fraternity or sorority, you need to be sure the group is currently recognized and in good standing with the University at Albany. A list of recognized fraternities, sororities and social fellowships can be found here and the list is frequently updated on MyInvolvement. It is a violation of the University’s Community Rights & Responsibilities for students to affiliate with fraternities, sororities or social fellowships that have had their recognition suspended or permanently revoked by the University.You should be aware that the following Greek organizations were derecognized in the fall semester and cannot conduct pledging or remain active in any way on this campus:

Alpha Epsilon Pi
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)

As you consider membership in any recognized club or organization, please understand that the University does not condone hazing in any form. If you suspect you are being hazed or if you know someone is being hazed, I strongly encourage you to report your observations; do not assume that nothing serious will happen as a result of the hazing activity. For more information on what constitutes hazing or to find out more information on how to report an incident, please visit www.albany.edu/stophazing or email hazing@albany.edu.

For more information regarding our Fraternity and Sorority community, please visit the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs page on MyInvolvement or contact Christina Crosley, Assistant Director, Office of Student Involvement & Leadership at (518) 442-5566.

Sincerely,

Michael Jaromin
Director
Student Involvement and Leadership
Campus Recreation

February 25, 2013

Dear Parent of a University at Albany Student,

Many student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, will be accepting new members during the spring semester. Second semester freshman are now free to pledge recognized Greek organizations, if they wish.

You should be aware that two groups have recently lost University recognition and students belonging to or pledging these groups will be held accountable in the campus conduct system.  These groups are:

Alpha Epsilon Pi
Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE)        

We want you to be aware of this because in the past, individual students have falsely portrayed themselves to other students as representing recognized organizations. As a result, we are cautioning students to be sure that the group they affiliate with is currently recognized and in good standing with the University at Albany.  A list of recognized fraternities, sororities and social fellowships can be foundhere. 

I encourage you to talk with your son or daughter about any club or organization they wish to join.  As always, if you suspect that your son or daughter has been or is being hazed as part of their acceptance into any group or organization, please report your observations; do not assume that nothing serious will happen as a result of the hazing activity. If you wish to speak to someone directly on this topic, please contact the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership at 518-442-5566 or email hazing@albany.edu. If you believe any situation requires immediate attention and/or an individual’s safety is at risk, please contact the University Police Department at 518-442-3131. You can also report anonymously.  Information on how to talk to your student as well as how to recognize the warning signs of hazing is available here.   

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Michael Jaromin
Director
Student Involvement and Leadership
Campus Recreation

Recognized Organizations (February 2013)

Fraternities and Social Fellowships

• Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity, Inc.
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.
• Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Kappa Sigma Fraternity
• La Unidad Latina/Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.
• Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.
• Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
• MALIK Fraternity, Inc.
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc.
• Theta Delta Chi International Fraternity
• Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Inc.

Sororities

• Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, Inc.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Alpha Omicron Pi Women’s Fraternity
• Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity
• Corazones Unidos Siempre/Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc.
• Delta Delta Sigma Sorority
• Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority
• Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
• Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority
• Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
• Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
• Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc.
• Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Sigma Delta Tau National Sorority
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
• Sigma Iota Sigma Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
• Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
• Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

EXPANSION/Reactivation ORGANIZATIONS
(Groups that are in the process of receiving recognition)
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
Psi Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Greek Terminology

Bid- An invitation to join an IFC fraternity, Panhellenic sorority, or Asian interest organization.

Big- Nickname for big sister or brother.

Call – A yell used mostly by NPHC & DGC organizations . Used to identify and greet brothers and sisters.

Charter- Permission from the national organization to have a chapter.

Colony- A new organization that is awaiting official recognition from their national to have a chapter at a campus.

Crossed: the same as being initiated. The term means different things to different groups, but generally means crossing over from being a pledge to being a full member. Most groups record this time to the second. Term also refers to “Crossing the Burning Sands”

Depledge- The process where a new member elects, or is asked, to relinquish membership during their pledge period.

Founders Day- An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history.

Frat – A nickname for fraternity or a fraternity brother.  IFC members generally find this to be offensive; however NPHC fraternities use it as a mark of respect for each other.

Greek Week- An organized week of activities to unite all councils.

Handshake or Grip- Is a special handshake unique to each organization. Only initiated members will know the handshake.

Inactive Member- A member who has elected to become inactive in sorority or fraternity life.

Independent or “GDI”- Term for a student that isn't a member of a Greek organization.

Little/Lil- Nickname for a Big's new member that they mentor.

Line – An NPHC & DGC term somewhat equal to a pledge class. They are the potential new members of the organization. Lines are often given names.

Mixer/Exchange/Social- A party between a sorority and fraternity, or several fraternities and sororities, often involving themes or games.

NALFO - National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for Latino Greek Letter Organizations.

NMGC – National Multicultural Greek Council is an umbrella council for a coalition of Multicultural Greek-letter organizations established in 1998.

Neophyte “Neo”- New member of a DGC or NPHC organization.

NIC- Stands for North American Interfraternity Conference, and is the national coordinating body of all the men's fraternities.

NPC- The National Panhellenic Council is the organization that governs the 26 national women's sororities.

NPHC- The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the 9 traditionally African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine.

Number – 1) Your line number, either given based off the number of individuals in your chapter, or the number of line brothers or sisters. 2) A bond between members of different lines or orgs with the same number (ie. Ace, deuce, etc.)

On the Yard– an NPHC phrase meaning that a chapter is currently chartered on campus.

Probate Show: The introduction of a line to campus. This is usually the first full step show/exhibition performed by members of the new member class of a NPHC or cultural-based Greek organization.

Prophyte – An older member of a DGC or NPHC organization.

Ritual – A secret ceremony of a Greek organization. Ritual elements are sacred to each sorority and fraternity and have been handed down through the generations. Only initiate members may be privy to rituals.

Recruitment- The process where sororities and fraternities get new members. Potential new members visit each organization and are invited to events . This process helps members of each organization choose new members. The old term is rush, which is still used by the fraternities. The formal name is Formal Recruitment.

Sands - An NPHC & DGC orgs term for members of your new member class. Comes from the phrase "cross the burning sands" which means to cross over (Become initiated) into full membership.

Signs – a unique display expressed by hand symbols used by NPHC and DGC organizations.

Social Fellowship - A non-Greek fraternal organization.

Soror - Term used by NPHC sorority members towards one another.

Stepping: A historically black tradition characterized by synchronized hand foot movements, along with singing, dancing, chanting, and acting.  Many Latino/Latina and Multicultural groups participate in stepping as well.

Stroll (aka Party Walk, Party Hop): A line dance done by members of cultural Greek organizations; usually done at a party or step show.

Surfacing: The first public appearance of a line.  More widely used post-1990 by Latino organizations that maintain an aboveground pledge program.

Syands – Asian Interest Orgs term for members of your new member class. Means Same Year AND Semester.

TeeKee: the large necklace worn with large Greek letters on them. Similar to a lavaliere but much larger and often made out of wood.