Secret Societies

[angels&angles]

Washington and Lee has the Cadavers and Sigma. Both are male only, so I know very little about them. Cadavers mostly run around campus at night soaping cars and caterwauling outside the sorority houses. The donated the funds for the so-called "Cadaver Bridge."

Sigma is a lot more secret, and I know little about them. I do know that Sigmas wear a heavy gold/brass ring with a Sigma on it, though.

[WhiteDaisy128]

At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, there is the Order of Gimghoul: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Gimghoul

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by WhiteDaisy128

At the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, there is the Order of Gimghoul: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Gimghoul

I was just going to mention that. Their "home" is Hippol Castle (sometimes called Gimghoul Castle) in the woods on Piney Prospect:





UNC-CH also has the Order of the Gorgon's Head. It is slightly younger than the Order of Gimghoul, and it doesn't have a castle.

[mama3delta]

Are there female-only secret societies?

[badgeguy]

Now thats a good question. According to some research, I do know there were several societies for women, there was Society of the Golden Rose at the University of California, there was LSV society at the University of Missouri, and there was the Society of Cwens, which is now known as Lambda Sigma.

Also, I do know that sometime in the 1980s, the infamous Skull & Bones society at Yale began admitting women, as did some of the other senior societies as well.

If anyone knows if these groups still exist I would love to know, and if anyone knows of any others that would be great also.

Thanks.
BG

[carnation]

Auburn had Cwens when I was there but they dropped the group when they had to admit guys and the opening line of the initiation was, "I am a lady. I am a Queen."

[MysticCat]

Per the Wiki, along with the groups mentioned by badge guy, Palladia and Trust of the Pearl (for sorority women) at the University of Georgia and The Colors (3 groups -- The Reds, The Greens and The Purples) at Maryville College are all-female.

Can't say whether this info is current and accurate, and I'm betting there may be more.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by carnation

Auburn had Cwens when I was there but they dropped the group when they had to admit guys and the opening line of the initiation was, "I am a lady. I am a Queen."

...And as a former Cwen, it was founded at Pitt! Amos Hall. where all but two of the NPC sororities are housed, was named after the founder, University of Pittsburgh Dean Thyrsa Amos. Her portrait was often sought during the now forbidden scavenger hunts.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by angels&angles

Washington and Lee has the Cadavers and Sigma. Both are male only, so I know very little about them. Cadavers mostly run around campus at night soaping cars and caterwauling outside the sorority houses. The donated the funds for the so-called "Cadaver Bridge."

In the obituary section of the most recent W&L magazine, there was a little Cadaver symbol (for the non W&L folks, it looks sort of like a copyright symbol...a C inside a circle) at the end of one of the alumni obituaries.

I guess that's how they're revealed?

FYI, 4 of them got into the Pi Phi house through an unlocked door last month. They use high pitched voices and wear elaborate skull masks to disguise themselves. GenerallyGreek said they were obviously drunk and she was mad because when she offered one some candy, he took the candy bowl and threw it all over the rug. One of the others got mad at him, and they left.

[nyapbp]

The W&L magazine is sitting on the top of the magazine pile and, of course, I had to go look for the little symbol. Thanks for pointing it out!