<p>In Swarthmore's 144 year history, have their been any secret societies formed among the students? Is anyone aware of any current ones? I know that there are a number of secret societies at the Ivies, but I have not heard about any at various LAC's. Just curious.</p>
<p>And on a more serious note:</p>
<p>Book</a> and Key</p>
<p>And an alumni magazine article on the Book and Key:</p>
<p>Very interesting. Do you know of any that are in existence today?</p>
<p>Not at Swarthmore. Most of the "secret societies" at LACs today are "secret" fraternities at schools that ban fraternities. I believe that both Williams and Amherst have secret fraternities. Amherst's aren't even that secret.</p>
<p>I sorta wish there was a secret society at Swarthmore. With a mysterious looking building and all. The issue is that with ~1500 people on campus, it is hard to keep something big a secret for very long.</p>
<p>Particulary, a bunch of white dudes in weirdo gowns, chanting and stuff as they march out of Sharples across Parrish Beach towards a mysterious windowless stone temple! I think word would get out.</p>
<p>Secret societies are scary. End of story.</p>
<p>Not necessarily.</p>
<p>i say that they're at least kinda scary in that former members of those important few societies at ivies largely rule the world, and admission to the societies isn't usually something earned by genuine hard work but by selection by a bunch of elitist (predominantly) white people. and the rituals are often fairly creepy.</p>
<p>thank goodness swat doesn't have any.</p>
<p>I think this just gave the DU boys an idea haha.</p>
<p>Many LACs had fraternities and secret societies historically, but later took steps to suppress or discourage them. </p>
<p>The Gargoyle Society at Williams College, which dates back to the 19th Century, was historically a secret society comparable to those at Ivies. The Gargoyle Society still exists, and is still respected and influential within the Williams community, but it isn't "secret" anymore. Anyone can apply to join Gargoyle, the names of successful candidates are advertised, and their meetings and activities are open.</p>
<p>Williams banned frats/secret societies about 40 years ago, and takes the ban quite seriously. At least one frat (St. Anthony Hall) reportedly tried to maintain a tenuous "underground" existence at Williams -- it was so far underground that its meetings were held across the state line, in Vermont. If any such societies still exist at Williams, they are so secret that most students aren't aware of them, which probably defeats the fun.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most of the "secret societies" at LACs today are "secret" fraternities at schools that ban fraternities...Amherst's aren't even that secret.
[/quote]
Apparently not, given that they openly [url=<a href="http://www.alphadeltaphi.org/Default.aspx?tabid=365%5Dadvertise%5B/url">http://www.alphadeltaphi.org/Default.aspx?tabid=365]advertise[/url</a>] their existence on the Web.</p>
<p>Amherst's policies are "softer" than those at Williams. Amherst officially abolished on-campus frats, secret societies etc. in 1984. However, the Amherst rules apparently have loopholes: my understanding is that they do not actually bar students from joining or forming exclusive societies, as long as such organizations are located off-campus and do not use any campus resources. </p>
<p>Williams phased out frats in the 1960s. Williams takes a harder line, and bars students from forming or joining such societies, whether they are on-campus or off-campus, under penalty of expulsion. And they are not kidding. So "underground" frats at Williams really are secret, so much so that it's not clear if they actually still exist.</p>