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I don't think there's reason to get offended by any of the terms used. I'm working to alter the language I use depending on which individual chapter or council I'm referring to whenever possible. For example, if I'm working with an NPC chapter, I'll most definitely use "PNM," "new member," "recruitment," and "new member period," but I still occasionally slip with the infrequent "rush" or "pledge" term. No one ever gets too offended. And I find it funny that although the newer terminology has been circling our NPC chapters for over 6 years now, I still meet freshman students who use "rush" and "pledge" and have no clue what the new terms refer to.
Our IFC chapters typically still use rush and pledge, but have been slowly moving to recruitment and new member. Again, no one seems to take offense to any of the terms, new or old.
With our NPHC chapters, I've come to use the term "intake," and when I use that term around anyone who doesn't know anything about NPHC chapters (don't get me wrong, I'm no expert- but I'm learning so I can better serve all my students), they almost always need explanation and the IFC and NPC chapter members usually think that's a great, neutral, "non-hazing" term.
Where we start to see some dissent on my campus is when some of our Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) orgs use the term "rush" or "pledge." A lot of the NPC and IFC chapters that have been around for a long time (or not in some cases) will instantly report these chapters for hazing and when we ask for evidence, all we get is "they're rushing people and calling them pledges." That's when I get to be an impromptu educator and I love the looks on the students faces when I tell them that their way is not the only way.
UNLDelt said it well- a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet
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