Active
Member of the fraternity. An active has gone through the pledge process and has been initialed.

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

Cut
("to be cut") To not be invited back to a fraternity.

Depledging
To decide to drop out of a fraternity after having accepted a bid. Normally, you can not join another fraternity for a specified time after your depledging.

Dry Rush
No alcohol allowed at all, for any functions.

Early Bid
Being offered a bid from a fraternity before bid day.

Formal Parties
Parties that are scheduled to have certain recruitment groups come through at specified times - in association with formal recruitment.

Formal Rush
Organized by Interfraternity Council; scheduled parties and time-limited events. Usually held during the fall or spring.

Hazing
Being forced to do things that are against your will, and violate you as a human being. Hazing is illegal in most states and not allowed in Beta Theta Pi

Informal Parties
Parties that do not follow specific schedules. Rather, potential members are allowed to come and go as they please.

Informal Rush
Not an organized event; up to the individual to meet people at the various houses - can take place anytime.

Initiation
Ceremony in which pledges become actives.

Interfraternity Council (IFC)
Group at every school who make rules for the fraternity system. The IFC coordinates formal recruitment and consists of a board of members from the individual fraternities.

Pledge
Status of someone who has accepted a bid, but has not yet been initiated.

Philanthropy
Organization a fraternity does community service work for.

Pledge Class
Group of people who accepted a bid to the same fraternity and are pledging together.

Quiet Hours
Time in which fraternities hold meetings to make decisions about potential members. Rush to have any contact with actives, pledges, alumni, housemothers, or anyone associated with fraternities - either at the chapter or at another chapter.

Recruitment Counselor
Someone designated by the Interfraternity Council to look after the needs of their recruitment group. Your recruitment counselor is there to see that the recruitment period runs well, and that rules are obeyed.