University of Virginia secret societies
Some of the more recent societies focus on the recognition or disapprobation of positive and negative contributions to the university.
[2] At the same time, Greek organizations that were purely social in function (today's fraternities) began to play a role in student life.
In 1853, students petitioned the faculty to set up a "secret" colony of Delta Kappa Epsilon.
The first request was rejected by the faculty, coming as it did on the heels of years of riotous behavior; according to university historian Philip Alexander Bruce, the faculty feared the "orderly spirit of the student body acting as a whole or in segments, whether organized into secret fraternities or Calathumpian bands"; in another session or two, the chapter became established, and other Greek fraternities followed.
The growth of student organizations was interrupted by the Civil War but resumed thereafter with the establishment of additional fraternities.
A few secret societies are recorded during the years 1865–1878, of whom the only one of any note is the Dedils, most notable for being shut down by the faculty after their minutes were found where they had been dropped by the drunken president of the organization.
At around the same time, the Seven Society, a group so secret that its members are not made known until their death, appeared.
[6] At the same time, its exclusive focus on philanthropy meant that, unlike the Elis and Hot Feet, it functioned as an important contributor to the aims of the university.
[8] It is known to reach out to individuals within the university community who may be grieving or struggling, by presenting them with a white rose and a letter of support.
[8] The society commemorates Founder's Day by placing white roses on the angels surrounding the Jefferson statue in front of the Rotunda's north steps.
[8] Members of the Order wear black uniform cloaks and white masks to maintain secrecy.
The Promethean Society, otherwise known as PRS, appeared sometime in 1953, though it hasn't been publicly recognized at UVA in recent years.
It started as a way to recognize and highlight unsung heroes at UVA, though it's rumored that its secondary purpose is to connect individuals at the university who have demonstrated significant success or promise in their respective academic and career fields.
[12][8] The earliest account of the group takes a humorous tone, claiming a connection to a 14th-century "Societe de la Citrouillie".
"[8] The group distributes actual pumpkins, along with letters of commendation, annually on the night of Halloween.
Pendleton Award, to an individual whom it felt deserving of criticism on Halloween night, but this practice was ended in 2000.
Pendleton Award was revived in 2012, with a rotten gourd being presented to Helen Dragas for her role in the Teresa Sullivan ouster.
The society annually distributes letters of commendation at the end of the Spring semester to recognize fourth-year students who have served the UVA community silently and selflessly.
[8] One campus legend says that the group was formed when only seven of eight individuals showed up for an evening of bridge.
[8] Correspondence to The Seven Society is left at the base of the statue of Thomas Jefferson that is inside the Rotunda.
[21][8] It is named after a line from the 1903 poem, "The Honor Men", by James Hay Jr. that refers to the purple shadows of The Lawn.
[9] Its members wear purple robes on Founder's Day when they lay a wreath at Thomas Jefferson's statue on The Lawn at sunrise.
In the 1970–1971 term, the society gave an ambiguous welcome to Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Annette Gibbs, whose responsibilities included advising female undergraduate students at the newly coeducational university, by tying the doors to her office shut with a purple ribbon.
[24] In 1982, following the decision of Dean of Students Robert Canevari to ban the traditional Easters celebration, the group left a letter and a dagger expressing their displeasure.
[26] The group has taken other stands recently, including encouraging students to end the practice of chanting "not gay" when The Good Old Song is sung.
Acts by the society have included distributing letters of recognition to faculty members deemed examples of high-quality service during fiscal difficulty[28] and the construction of small displays of flowers to bring attention to sexual assault at the university and promote increased administrative combat of sexual crime.
[8][9] Traditionally, The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society is always listed as a Tyrant, as there is an ongoing rivalry between the two organizations.
[9] Another prank involved coxing a member of the Jefferson Society from his lawn room, only to dump on him from the balcony above.
[8] Its motto is "Superstitio solum in animo inscii habitat" or “Superstition dwells only in the ignorant mind.”[8][9] Each year on the eve of April 13, Thomas Jefferson's birthday, the society publishes its membership list.
[33] The organizations were sufficiently integrated into student life by the late 1940s that a Virginia Glee Club album of university songs included the Tilka anthem "Come Fill Your Glasses Up for T.I.L.K.A.".
