Alumni - Combined group of men and women who have attended a college or university. "Alumnus" is the masculine singular; "alumni" is masculine plural; "alumna," femine singular; and "alumnae," feminine plural. These words are from Latin, their root meaning foster child or pupil.

Alumnus Advisor - A brother who lives in close proximity to the chapter and who provides support in the chapter's operations.

Bologna - The spiritual birthplace of Kappa Sigma. An Italian city located at the foot of the Appennine Mountains, it is the key city between Europe and the Italian plains.

Bononia Docet - The opening motto of Kappa Sigma meaning "Bologna Teaches." It has also been the title of the official pledge book of Kappa Sigma since 1963.

Brother - One who successfully completes the prescribed pledgeship and passes through formal initiation. A brother in good standing maintains a current financial record and participates fully in chapter operations.

Brotherhood Development - The process of educating each pledge about fraternity and chapter history, how to manage the chapter, how to be an active, involved, caring and committed brother...for life. It includes teaching Fraternity standards and personal development programs aimed to develop each individual's fullest potential.

Chapter Consultant - Recent alumnus employed by the Fraternity to visit undergraduate chapters and assist them in their programs and procedures.

Charter - The official document granted to a new chapter upon completion of all requirements. A charter elevates a colony to chapter status.

Colony - The term used to describe a "pledge group" prior to initiation and installations as a chapter of Kappa Sigma.

Commissioner or Committee Chairman - The designated terms for appointees of the SEC who oversee a particular facet or program of Kappa Sigma.

DGM - The District Grand Master; the local official who advises a number of undergraduate chapters in a particular geographic area.

District - The geographical grouping of Kappa Sigma chapters.

EC - Executive Committee or governing body of the chapter. Its members are Grand Master, Grand Procurator, Grand Master of Ceremonies, Grand Scribe and Grand Treasurer.

Five Friends and Brothers - The term describing the Founders of Kappa Sigma (Arnold, Boyd, Nicodemus, Rogers, and McCormick).

Fraternity - From the Latin words "frater" meaning brother and related to the Greek word "phratry" meaning a group of related families whose members were not necessarily of common descent.

Grand Master - The GM is the acting "president" of a chapter. He ensures the smooth running of a chapter.

Grand Master of Ceremonies - The GMC is in charge of all ritual material. He is also the EC member that monitors the progress of the pledges.

Grand Procurator - The GP is the "vice-president" of a chapter. His duty is to oversee all committee heads and keep order in the chapter.

Grand Scribe - The GS takes down the minutes during meeting and is in charge of communications between IMH and the chapter.

Grand Treasurer - The GT handles all financial matters within the chapter.

Hazing - An infliction of physical or mental harassment. Specifically prohibited as a component of pledge education.

IFC - The Interfraternity Council, governing body for the university in matters relating to fraternities.

International Memorial Headquarters - The designation of Kappa Sigma's administrative offices in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Legacy - A rushee with a relative who is in a fraternity is considered a legacy in that fraternity. A legacy can be a son, brother, or even a cousin of a brother.

Pledge - The status of one who is initially affiliated with a fraternity; pledgeship is the period of education prior to one's initiation.

Pledge Educator - The initiated brother responsible for organizing and implementing the Brotherhood Development Program.

Ritual - The ritual is that part of a fraternity that binds its brothers together.

Rush - The activity of recruiting new members for a fraternity. A rush guest is a person participating.

Star and Crescent - May refer to the Badge of the Order, the esoteric publication of the Fraternity, or the credo of Kappa Sigma written in 1963 by Past Ritualist E. Bradford Holbrook, Jr. (Sigma, Tulane).

Back