[Fratitude]

What I hear: The self styled "Alpha Chapter" at Wesleyan is an open if unrecognized co-ed society, NOT a fraternity and NOT an inter-fraternity group. One fthen student who wasn't in any other fraternity "recreated" or brought it back about a decade ago and also recreated the Mystical Seven as a public society. (There are two groups calling themselves Mystical Seven at Wesleyan though only one has much of a presence. One side says that says both of the organizations the fellow recreated- TNE and the "other" Mystical Seven are b.s.- but that's between them.)

I think you guys are talking about the other more infamous Theta Nu Epsilon chapters that have usually been around for decades at various campuses,. they operate as a private coordinating body for fraternities, societies and sometimes sororities as well and have their own fraternal character. (Some merged with or became secret societies that are political but operate independently of any GLO coordinating function.) At any rate, they operate along the lines of the Alabama chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon (The Machine/Skull and Keys.) Chapters have various names that they use as well as Theta Nu Epsilon (TNE.)

Even though the original constitution forbids it, some groups have admitted sorority members (and non-Christian fraternity members), whether because of changing times or because they needed the votes for elections. Some coordinate with these non-traditional groups for election purposes and other agendas but do not bring them in as members.

Most operate independently. There are those however that coordinate amongst themselves; others have competing claims to legitimate authority in a region or nationally. Some groups spring up with the support of TNE at another campus.

TNE are said to have a very politically powerful alumni base in some regions if all the press is to be believed. See welcometothemachine dot info/ PS-From what I know they do not demand that prospects share their rituals though I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to get this info out of them.