<p>It's about secret societies so I think I should ask it on the internet where I can avoid exposing my identity. I really have no idea what they actually are, even after searching through the internet. haha maybe it sounds really silly to be so serious about this but I have no clue what I should do.
So what do secret societies do? Do I have to donate a lot of money? A lot of work?
For example, I received an email from a secret society recently. I'm pretty sure that a lot of people get it actually because it apparently was sent through list serves. Should I join it? What is the benefits/obligations of joining it?</p>
<p>Woe! I think that is real cool, but I'm a First Year and don't know too much. Basically the underlying goal is to raise $ to support UVA, but it's done in a secret manner. The 7's are probably the most prestigious and do everything in 7's>>like $ donation is in 7 digits or on a date like 7/7/77>>understand? And they don't declare themselves as members until death. That being said, I don't think they'd contact you through e-mail to invite you into the 7's.<br>
I always confuse the IMP and Z??? One of them notifies members of membership with a ring on graduation day>>so I've heard.
Purple Shadows are present too and roam the Lawn on April 13th>>TJ's B-day.
Bottom line, they are all trying to maintain tradition at UVA.
I'm not associated with any of them, but I confess to being intrigued by them. I'd join depending on which invitation you got and if it didn't cost too much $.</p>
<p>Zs know they're Zs before graduation. They're just not supposed to reveal their membership until graduation day, when they wear the Z rings. </p>
<p>It seems as though the number of societies grows a little bit every few years. Some are truly secretive and others are fairly blatant. Many revolve on service and social events.</p>
<p>"Freaking awesome">>Oh yes!! I think they are so cool! I wish I got an invite! What do you have to lose? Just don't give them your social security #. ;)</p>
<p>Um, sarcasm? "Freaking Awesome" is one person's opinion (mine), I said it's a hit or person thing. A former coach, who I consider a mentor in a way, went to Dartmouth and was a member of secret society. He said it was a cool way of meeting people he hadn't met before and making friends. Also, I just like the idea of clandestine activities and the philanthropy that the societies do. Is that such a bad thing?</p>
<p>Sachmoney,
I'm not sure who you are addressing when you write "Um, sarcasm?" But, since I did post your words, I thought you might be addressing me? If so, there is NO sarcasm there at all! I really am very intrigued by the secret societies and I think they give unique twist to UVA. I mean every word I write: "I wish I got an invite! What do you have to lose? Just don't give them your social security #. " Freaking awesome is a great way to describe them.</p>
<p>I can't pretend to know a lot about how they function, but from what I understand, they select you; you don't select them. That being the case, my advice is for you to be as active as possible around Grounds. Get involved in a few key organizations and show some leadership. If you do, there's a much better chance they will find you.</p>
<p>FLVADAD, tell me a reason why secret societies don't encourage elitism, when most of their members are white? The fact that they're exclusive and secretive shows that they're not open to the university community. In other words, it is a system where not all students can participate and fully comprehend. There's no reason why they should exist on grounds, apart from the fact that they recognize whomever they want, without specifying the merits of an individual or his/her basis of selection.</p>
<p>aceit, these are not university sponsored student clubs with sign up sheets, so why would you expect them to operate that way? Moreover, there's a lot we don't know about secret societies because they're secret. So, I really can't suggest much about the make up of their membership, but I don't think you know much about that either. You are making a number of unwarranted assumptions IMO.</p>
<p>Based on my observations, they are benevolent in nature and make important and substantial contributions to the university. For example, I don't think the 7's got their symbol actually made into the floor of the new basketball arena just because they are a bunch of cool elitist white guys. I think they plunked down a major financial contribution towards the construction costs. And I think it's great when secret societies recognize various students and professors whose good works might otherwise go unnoticed. What's wrong with that? The fact that they do such things anonymously suggests to me how much they love UVA, and I think they add quite a bit to the culture and tradition of the university. It also tells me not everyone is cut out to be a member, so it makes sense for them to be selective. And my guess is that they are being selective in terms of people who are capable and predisposed to service work for the university. That's why I made the suggestion above about getting involved around Grounds. I'm sure being selected is meant to be more like an honor than just a general privilege.</p>
<p>i've always thought of the secret societies as a more secretive fraternity. and as far as sororities and fraternities go, they're ALL based on personal invites(or not). again, it has to do with who wants to go out for one or not. there's never a guarantee of getting in to any of them.</p>
<p>I dont accept that secret societies are racist. I am pretty sure Ralph Sampson was an IMP. I think it is a safe bet that in the 25 years since then many other minorities have been asked to join secret societies as well.</p>