IFC : The governing body of local chapters from the National Interfraternity Conference member chapters.

Fraternity: A Greek-lettered fellowship of men fostering the common ideals of brotherhood.

Nationals: The governing body and staff of each National Fraternity.

Chapter: The local chartering unit of each National Fraternity.

Potential New Member: A man who has not yet been initiated into a fraternity.

Formal Recruitment: The predetermined timespan for recruitment that occurs each year.

Informal Recruitment: A method by which fraternities determine when they will extend bids to potential new members. Unlike formal recruitment fraternities can extend a bid anytime during the year with informal recruitment.

Dry Recruitment/Dry Rush: The prohibition of alcohol at any chapter event where potential new members are or may be potentially present.

Bid: An invitation to join a fraternity issued in writing directly from a fraternity to a potential new member.

Legacy: A direct relative of a fraternity member. (Nephew, son, brother, etc.)

New Member: A man who has gone through formal pledging ceremonies and is learning the history and purposes of his fraternity. A pledge has not yet been initiated into lifelong membership.

Pledge Class: All potential members of a chapter who accept their bids to join the fraternity in the same semester. These men will pledge the fraternity as a pledge class.

Initiation: The formal ceremonies of a pledge becoming a lifelong Fraternity member.

Active: A man who has been initiated into lifelong membership in a fraternity and is currently in college. 

Alumnus: A man who was an active in the Fraternity and has now graduated.