Like many of you, The Weedicle wondered who the hell those dudes are who were walking around on Joe College Day in black graduation gear and sunglasses. We see them around at LDOC and first day of classes and wonder, how can we best fuck with them? (Is throwing funnel cake at a man in a black cloak a bad idea? Apparently not.) But, instead, we decided to hit the University archives. What we’ve found is below, but before you go about making your own secret society, what makes these secret societies legit is that they have advisors in the administration or in the faculty and the University knows of, and possibly condones, their existence.
ALLEGEDLY ACTIVE SECRET SOCIETIES:
Old Trinity Club: These would be the aforementioned toolbags in capes and sunglasses (they’re shouting out “Eruditio et Religio” if you can’t hear them). Founded in 1955, Old Trinity Club was created because some guy was pissed off he didn’t get into the Order of the Red Friars (seriously). Today, rumor has it, they’re more like an all-male drinking club. Certain fraternities send some of their senior brothers to be a part of those fun little fashion shows they put on a few times a year. They have an advisor in the administration, but it is unknown to what extent they wield their influence today. They also seem to spend a lot of their time drinking behind the Allen Building. Fratacular.
C.I.: This is an an all-male group whose members are interested in careers in finance. The group is composed of not only seniors, but also promising sophomores.
“T.S.”: Rumor has it that a new secret society has formed, possibly before 2006. Certain administrators seem to know of its existence. This society is so secret, we don’t even know its full name. It is an all-male society (no homo?) and may have between 12 to 20 members from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. The Weedicle wants to know more about T.S., so if you know anything, shoot us an e-mail at weedicle@gmail.com.
ALLEGEDLY INACTIVE SOCIETIES:
Order of the Red Friars: Founded in 1913, the Red Friars was composed of seven male seniors. In 1925, a similar female society was created by the Red Friars, the Order of the White Duchy. The bell in Kilgo House J was hung by the Friars in 1950. The Friars were members of self-important Duke organizations such as student government and fraternities, who worked together under common goals and ideologies to improve Duke. In 1971, the society voluntarily disbanded, as sentiment on campus had turned against perceived elitism and the group was seen in a negative light. The group was known to have had powerful “Honorary Members” among graduates and/or faculty/administration.
Order of the Tombs: This may have been some sort of honorary athletic fraternity that existed very briefly.
Omicron Delta Kappa: This was a semi-secretive national leadership fraternity.
Order of the White Duchy: Mentioned above as the female arm of the Order of the Red Friars.
Order of the Chair: In 1959, a group of students spoofed both Red Friars and Old Trinity Club by creating their own not-so-secret society.
