Theta Nu Epsilon

dekeguy · #1 03-16-2002, 12:53 AM

In looking around many threads I have seen references to Theta Nu Epsilon. Who are these guys? I have never seen them at any campus I ever visited and when I asked some of my brothers and some friends from other fraternities they were clueless as well. One guy, an SAE alum I know from Law School, said he thought he remembered something about being told that he could not join them if he was an active in his house, but since you can only belong to one fraternity anyway??? I remember having to get familiar with IFC rules and the prohibition on multiple memberships was very familiar. Anyway, I looked through a copy of Baird's and there was no mention of them. No big deal, just curious

Betarulz! · #2 03-16-2002, 03:08 AM

Okay here's what I know about TNE at my campus.

They are one of three "secret" societies (the others being Rho Delta-which I think is entirely females- and the other beign Secret Scroller Society). Occasionally they will put out a newsletter that makes fun of people in the greek system or exposes personal secrets of greek members. They usually state that this is an effort to improve the greek system by pointing out those members who are liablilities or who are representing greeks well. From what I've heard, they select you, and it tends to be those who are going on to bigger and better things. They also claim to be like the Skulls in that they are everywhere and that the connections they possess will allow them to get far in life. In order to get in you supposedly have to disclose the secrets of your fraternity/sorority in order to prove your desire to join what the members consider a far more important organization. Many chapters I think will require anyone found to be a TNE/Scroller/Rho Delt to turn in their badge and cease to have any connections with the GLO.

I saw an old copy of Bairds (53 or somethign) where they were mentioned only in saying that overall they suffered from almost nonexistent national leadership, which lead to most of the chapter basically running things the way they so desired. This led to a national reputation of beign troublemakers - so much so that usually when a respectable chapter of TNE found out about the reputation and the acts of other chapters, they began the search to join another GLO.

That's really all I know.

BrianMUDU · #3 03-16-2002, 03:37 AM

http://www.tne.org/

AlphaGam1019 · #4 03-16-2002, 10:31 PM

Baird's Manual (91):

Theta Nu Epsilon was founded at Wesleyan University in 1870, primarily as a social fraternity for sophomores, accepting into membership members of other fraternities. In this it was similar to other fraternities of its day that started as class societies. This society was so loosely governed nationally, however, and the behavior of its membership in many institutions so unrestrained the fraternity fell into disrepute, and most fraternities prohibited their members from joining it. Some of it's early chapters were formed as general social fraternities, but on discovering the poor reputation of the organization nationally, left it to become chapters of other nationals...

No known chapters were begun after 1929. By the time World War II started the fraternity was reduced to five chapters.

AlphaGam1019 · #5 03-16-2002, 10:51 PM

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...=&threadid=109

BrianMUDU · #6 03-17-2002, 02:08 AM

According to their website, Bairds hasn't printed anything accurate about them for a while. At least that is what they claim...

Jae · #7 03-18-2002, 06:52 PM

Little is known, and what's known is kept secret

dekeguy · #8 03-18-2002, 11:06 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Betarulz!
[B]Okay here's what I know about TNE at my campus.

EXTRACT: " In order to get in you supposedly have to disclose the secrets of your fraternity/sorority in order to prove your desire to join what the members consider a far more important organization".

That sounds very odd! I find it hard to believe that any organization would ask a prospective member to disclose information that he had given his word of honor to hold close and disclose only to those properly entitled to receive such information. I believe every fraternity which has private or "secret" information requires a newly initiated brother to take such an obligation to safeguard this information on his honor. If the candidate did disclose and break his word to get into this other organization then he would be without honor and would be proven to be not trustworthy. If this is the case how would the new organization ever be able to trust the word of a dishonored liar with any of its own private business? Do you suppose it might be a sort of trick question where they ask you to disclose the private business of your own fraternity and in reality expect you to politely but firmly tell them no? Either you are good for your word or you are not. Any thoughts? Have I missed something or does that sound really out of line?

Betarulz! · #9 03-19-2002, 04:14 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dekeguy

Quote:

Originally posted by Betarulz!
Okay here's what I know about TNE at my campus.

EXTRACT: " In order to get in you supposedly have to disclose the secrets of your fraternity/sorority in order to prove your desire to join what the members consider a far more important organization".

That sounds very odd! I find it hard to believe that any organization would ask a prospective member to disclose information that he had given his word of honor to hold close and disclose only to those properly entitled to receive such information. I believe every fraternity which has private or "secret" information requires a newly initiated brother to take such an obligation to safeguard this information on his honor. If the candidate did disclose and break his word to get into this other organization then he would be without honor and would be proven to be not trustworthy. If this is the case how would the new organization ever be able to trust the word of a dishonored liar with any of its own private business? Do you suppose it might be a sort of trick question where they ask you to disclose the private business of your own fraternity and in reality expect you to politely but firmly tell them no? Either you are good for your word or you are not. Any thoughts? Have I missed something or does that sound really out of line?

That's definetly a good question. I never thought of it that way. Like I said that's what is supposedly required. It is obvious through the semester newsletters they put out that they do disclose things about people, who they've done or how often. One section of the newsletter during first semster had lists of who were good pledges and who were bad pledges throughout the entire greek system. The newsletters also can be a place to find out about what's going on in other houses. It's where I first heard that Sig Ep was goign to be having membership review.

As for the new org's business, perhaps membership in TNE is so exclusive and honorary or their range so far reaching that you dare not break your word...kinda like in the movie "The Skulls"

Lil_G · #10 03-19-2002, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Betarulz!

One section of the newsletter during first semster had lists of who were good pledges and who were bad pledges throughout the entire greek system. The newsletters also can be a place to find out about what's going on in other houses.

that's awful, the greeks just sit back and let them do this? You'd think there would be an effort to stop them from publishing this newsletter. I mean come on, you could probably find out which brother/sister is disclosing information..."hey anyone seen charlie today?"
"Naw, he just always disappears for a couple hours here and there, we're not sure where...."

Betarulz! · #11 03-19-2002, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lil_G

that's awful, the greeks just sit back and let them do this? You'd think there would be an effort to stop them from publishing this newsletter. I mean come on, you could probably find out which brother/sister is disclosing information..."hey anyone seen charlie today?"
"Naw, he just always disappears for a couple hours here and there, we're not sure where...."

Well there are a couple of reasons I can come up with as to why the effort to stop them isn't very strong. First of all the newsletters I speak of, are usually only sent to the chapter houses, those who aren't in houses usually don't have any clue as to the fact that this happens. Prime example was during our student government elections: one of the 3 parties was comprised of only independents and they called themselves the GDI party. Shortly before the election TNE put out a special edition flyers to the houses just urging everyone to vote for anyone in the other two parties b/c they were filled with greeks, and basically that the GDI party was worthless (which they were...running on a platform of loosening rules in the dorms-considering that usually the only people who vote are greeks is not a strategy for victory). Well somehow the GDI party got a hold of one of the flyers and proceded to print off 500 copies and distribute them through the dorms as advertising for their party. My friend who is an RA and in APhi was barraged by her residents as to what this whole TNE business was. They didn't get the whole premise and what actually goes out in the newsletters. Now since this is something that is completly localized in the Greek community no one really cares.

Second the newsletters are actually pretty funny. It's one of those things that if they arent' making fun of you (and they seem to only pick on my chapters singing ability) then it can be absolutely hilarious.
Thirdly, since they don't do anything other put out one or two newsletters a year they are widely considered a joke whose only allure is the fact that they are so secretive. In order protect their identity its not like they can throw awesome parties or cause a lot of trouble on campus.

Finally in response to being able to figure out who was who...I'm not sure what your experience with greek housing has been (whether in a house or a section of dorm rooms) but for me, with people having jobs, class, goign to their girlfriends room, meetings, going to visit their elementary school buddy, studying in places other than their room or our study room, or even running home or to the store it's one of those things that you don't really notice if someone dissappears for hours at a time. There is so much stuff happening on campus that it's impossible to pinpoint everyone's location or where they happened to say where they'd be. I also doubt that TNE has regularly scheduled meetings since it's not like they are goign to have speakers or something. So basically if someone wanted to keep it really secretive they would have no problem doing so.

GreekLetterGirl · #12 03-19-2002, 07:19 PM

they just started a Theta Nu Epislon at my school, it is said it is a multi cultural organization, i really wonder if it is...

33girl · #13 03-19-2002, 09:52 PM

If anyone wants to get ambitious and find it, there was an article about Theta Nu Epsilon at Bama in either Time or Newsweek about 2 or 3 years ago.

LeslieAGD · #14 03-19-2002, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Betarulz!
In order to get in you supposedly have to disclose the secrets of your fraternity/sorority in order to prove your desire to join what the members consider a far more important organization.

I went and looked at the site...rather interesting.

Question, the website said they incourage people from all groups: greeks, athletes, musicians, etc. If the greeks supposedly have to reveal their secrets in order to join, what do non-greeks have to "reveal"/do to get in?

Betarulz! · #15 03-20-2002, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeslieAGD

I went and looked at the site...rather interesting.

Question, the website said they incourage people from all groups: greeks, athletes, musicians, etc. If the greeks supposedly have to reveal their secrets in order to join, what do non-greeks have to "reveal"/do to get in?

Perhaps it is just a requirement at my campus where TNE claims to be a support for the greek system and happens to be only comprised of greeks. Again what I say I know is only what has been told to me so it could have been embellished.