LOL

-Rudey
--I live for jokes like this

For a society so consumed with secrecy, it's hard to believe they have a website with contact info and a members only section...

www.tne.org

Uh, that Website isn't for Skull and Bones...

LOL
That cracked me up, too. Arrrrrgh, me matey!

Just to clear up any confusion...
 

Skull and Bones – Yale senior society, 1832.
They are known as “bonesmen”, not “skulls”. So the Phi Kaps have nothing to worry about. Skull & Bones predates Phi Kappa Sigma by nearly 2 decades anyway.

Scroll and Keys – Yale senior society, 1842.

Theta Nu Epsilon (aka Skull & Keys) – Wesleyan sophomore society, 1870. Later to become a national fraternity.

It’s easy to get confused about secret societies. There’s also Book & Snake, Corpse & Coffin, Coffin & Keys, Skull & Serpent, Sword & Sandals, Shield & Trident, Quill & Dagger, Fire & Skoal, Casque & Gauntlet, Wheel & Chain, Cap & Skull, and probably a bunch of others I’ve forgotten.

wptw

how bout dick & hand?

so I'm confused. Is ONE coed? I like that thing on the website though, ARe you ONE?

whips and chains, handcuffs.... oh sorry i was confused...

It’s easy to get confused about secret societies. There’s also Book & Snake, Corpse & Coffin, Coffin & Keys, Skull & Serpent, Sword & Sandals, Shield & Trident, Quill & Dagger, Fire & Skoal, Casque & Gauntlet, Wheel & Chain, Cap & Skull, and probably a bunch of others I’ve forgotten.

The answer is... sort of.

Right now there are two groups of people who are in the process of reviving Theta Nu Epsilon. Both groups claim they are the rightful heirs of TNE and therefore have the authority to call themselves TNE and to start chapters. Both groups say the other group are imposters. Add to this mix all the various independant chapters that have been running autonomously for decades, each with their own rules. It's a mess, which is nothing new if you study the splintered history of TNE.

Anyway, one of these two groups has started coed chapters. The other group obviously thinks this is an abomination. So the answer to your question depends on which group you believe is the true TNE.

That's why the website says "are you ONE?". You'd think it's a clever rhetorical question. But they REALLY don't know anymore who is ONE and who isn't!

Will the real TNE please stand up!


wptw

ahhh right on....so is your group the imposter or the real-deal?

From what I can gather about Theta Nu Epsilon is that they are into making greek life and college better. I have to respect that.

Theta Nu Epsilon
 

WPTW - good information!

All - I know for a fact that whoever is parading around as ONE members are RUTHLESS regarding their pins showing up on ebay. They send emails to sellers to tell them to take down the photo and the pin. Apparently the image itself of the badge is highly secretive, although doesn't one appear on their site?

ebayfan
:rolleyes:

CC1GC, I'm not affiliated with TNE. It's just a pet topic of mine. I've done a lot of work researching their history, badge and ritual. And even after all that work, I can't tell which one is the real group. My personal opinion is that the real group died 50 years ago and is still dead. The various people trying to resurrect it each have a few good reasons to believe they are the rightful heirs, and yet neither of them has in their posession what I would consider the "pink slip" to the group - and that is, original ritual, original constitution, original member records and original charters.

Well yes, Optimist Prime, SOME of the groups that call themselves TNE are trying to do that. Still others are trying to live up to the ORIGINAL purpose of the group (back when it was created as a sophomore society in 1870), which is to basically run around, raise hell and create as much confusion and mystique about TNE as possible.

Ebayfan, yes you're right. That's John Louderback, the guy who runs the "official" website. I outbid him on a gorgeous and very early badge a few years ago and he was NOT happy. But I have to say he was still fairly polite, especially compared to some of the emails I have received from other fraternities and sororities when I buy or sell for my collection on ebay. We had a good long conversation and ultimately agreed to disagree on the issue.

He can call the image of his pin SECRET all he wants, but he is still only entitled to normal protection under copyright law. This means we are prohibited from reproducing the mark on Tshirts, websites, etc., without his permission but we are absolutely NOT legally prohibited from buying or selling a TNE badge on ebay. Besides, to my knowledge, Mr. Louderback STILL has not proven his group is the rightful heir of TNE, and therefore the rightful owner of the trademark and copyright.

wptw

I read the book
 

Hey i read the book that was mentioned in the first post. Its actually not too bad. What you read on that website is the rumors that are spread around, the book does a good job on seperating the rumors, and giving some really interesting facts about the group, and other societies at Yale. I saw some of you said that these groups interest you, if so...def. get the book. Just my two cents.

Does anyone have TNE on their campus?
 

I've been reading these posts with great interest. Does anyone have an active chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon on their campus? If so, what kinds of things do they do and how are they regarded on your campus? The only campus I ever here anything about regarding TNE is at Alabama and the whole "Machine" thing. I find this whole secret organization thing interesting.