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Legacy:
Each organization has its own definition of a “legacy.”
It is generally defined as an immediate family member of an
initiated member, such as a sister/brother or daughter/son.
Some sororities also recognize extended family members as
legacies as well.
Line:
A term used by culturally based and NPHC organizations
to name a group of new members who all joined during the
same term, semester or pledge class. They are the potential
new members of the organization. Lines are often given
names.
Line name/number:
The name given to a prospective/new
member that represents them as a person, usually a noun,
adjective or acronym. Culturally based organizations and
NPHC organizations also assign a line number to their new
members (such as ace, duece, tre, etc.)
Little:
Short for “little brother/sister” — a new member who is
being mentored by an older member of their organization.
Multicultural Greek Council (MGC):
The governing council
at Clemson for fraternities and sororities with a cultural or
ethnic interest. MGC fraternities and sororities are open to
all men and women interested in joining provided they meet
the membership requirements of the organization; however,
interest alone does not guarantee a person will receive an
offer to join. MGC strives to connect the organizations and
the local Clemson community through academic, social and
service events.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC):
Founded in 1902,
NPC provides support and guidance for its 26 member inter/
national sororities/women’s fraternities and serves as the
national voice on contemporary issues of sorority life. NPC
serves as the umbrella organization for CPA. Clemson has
13 NPC-affiliated sororities.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC):
A national
council composed of nine historically black, Greek-letter
organizations at both the college and alumni level. NPHC
fraternities and sororities are open to all men and women
interested in joining provided they meet the membership
requirements of the organization; however, interest alone
does not guarantee a person will receive an offer to join.
Clemson has eight, four sororities and four fraternities, of the
nine represented on campus. NPHC is also commonly referred
to as “The Divine Nine.”
Nationals:
Fraternity and sorority members often refer to their
national/international headquarters or offices as “Nationals.”
These offices are responsible for making policies for the
individual organizations at all of the colleges and universities
where their organization recruits members.
Neo or Neophyte:
A new member of a culturally based
organization or an NPHC organization.
North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC):
A national
organization comprised of 66 fraternal organizations (mostly
for men), each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek
letter society of college men.