Oh for cryin' out loud

Well, we seem to have made someone in the Mystical Seven angry. To clear up some history for our audience and perhaps appease an irate spirit:

1. There are 2 M7s on campus. One is more or less the descendant of the Temple of the Wand from 1837. The other was formed in 1985. Both remain active.

2. In our posts, we try to consistently refer to these societies separately, as, respectively, old M7 and new M7. In this we have no choice, as we can't go up to new M7 and say, "Hey guys, you're making things really confusing when we blog about you. Can you change your name?" If you're interested in questions of legitimacy, go to Olin and look at the Argus archives from the 90s, when the two groups were duking it out.

3. You may find that we sometimes refer to a Mr. Kylin. Kylin was in the class of 1984 and founded the new M7. He also runs The American Minerva, which has some publications from the original Cauldrons. We mention his name as a reference only. Unless you want me to unfurl a giant banner at the top of the page that says, "WESLEYING: REAL STUDENTS, REAL STUDENT LIFE, AND PS DON'T LISTEN TO ANYTHING KYLIN SAYS."

4. For further reading regarding the M7(s), Benjamin Wyatt-Greene '02 penned a thorough history that's available here. You can also go to Special Collections and ask to see one of the first 19 Cauldrons; They are available for public viewing.

5. Finally, a while ago we speculated that the templum was to be renovated. Our anonymous Maraudin' Mystic confirms,

- thanks for your concern, but the M7 templum renovation has been approved. the funny thing is that M7 has gotten stronger since the fire. oh well, it'll be one hell of a grand opening party!

Tinfoil hat time

The Mystical 7 (as well as The Machine, the bastard child of Wesleyan's own Theta Nu Epsilon) gets a shout-out in this sensationalist article about college secret soceties:

The world over has heard of Skull and Bones of Yale University. This elite secret society holds within its membership at least four U.S. Presidents. George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry are both members of Skull and Bones. This made the 2004 presidential election the first known election where two secret society members ran against each other. However, names like the Order of the Bull's Blood, Mystical Seven Society, The Order of Gimghoul , Burning Spear, and Machine are less familiar. Make no mistake these too are powerful societies. The clear pronounceable difference between these organizations and Skull and Bones is that these secret societies were founded and continue to wield power at universities where ivy does not grow.
[...]
If the average college freshman is expecting to step on a campus where he or she leaves behind the stereotypical high school cliques then most will be given a false sense of freedom. Most college students are unknowingly under the yoke of the definite yet predominantly silent hold university secret societies possess on what is popularly called college life.
[...]
With the power of government, influence over tradition, and determination to plan the goings on at your local university know that elite secret societies participate in all these activities with only one goal - their ever advancing power. The aforementioned colleges and universities don't immediately endear visions of prestige that one thinks of when Harvard or Yale is mentioned. However, like the members of Skull and Bones these secret societies members on public university campuses go on to powerful positions in local, state, and federal government, they become successful business men, and continue the ever connecting web of power.

Unknown to most Wesleyan undergraduates, the Mystical 7 are also responsible for repainting the Butts tunnels, tuition hikes, the $11 blueberries at Weshop, and setting North College on fire.

..Okay, so they actually did set North College on fire. As well as their own building. The Mystical 7: Recruiting the best and brightest pyromaniacs since 1837.

Mystical 7 at Mizzou

While the Mystical Seven originated here at Wesleyan with the Temple of the Wand, the society enjoyed some infamy with chapters in other schools, especially in the South. And while the two m7 factions at Wesleyan are still snuffling about all secret-like, at schools like Mizzou, the society is prospering and members are prominent.


...Maybe a little too prominent.

More pictures from the Mizzou m7 tap day can be found here.

Fire at North College

Here's a really interesting old postcard showing the ruins of North College after a fire broke out on March 1, 1906. The fire was supposedly started accidentally by the Mystical 7, who met in the attic in those days. From The Mystical 7: A History:

Many of the Mystic Records were destroyed in the fire as well as the possessions of many students who were living in the North College Dorms, although fortunately nobody was killed. Within a few years of the fire enough money was raised by the newly formed Mystic Alumni association to begin construction of a new Mystic Templum.

You can buy this postcard here.

Shh...

It's dark and shrouded in mystery because that's how these things roll. Picture from the Tomb tonight. If you turn your brightness way up, you can see some of the beautiful painted mural that adorns the walls. More parties thusly, please.

Wes History

For the past, oh, few months, the Wesleyan homepage has featured a link that leads to a nice little section of the site that they set aside for Wes' 175th birthday celebration this past summer. Among the offerings, there are a really nice set of computer wallpapers available in a variety of resolutions that are made from scanned historical images from Wesleyan's archives. My favorite is this one of a 1937 gathering of stodgy old Mystical Seven alumni, mainly because no one's seen the intact temple for about a decade now. Next time you pass the gutted shell of that creepy-ass building, picture the busted seven-sided star above the front door full of stained glass and then go nail a letter to the plywood door telling them to fix their fucking building. Word is that at least one of the two Mystical Seven factions has a campus center mailbox; Cookies to whoever finds it.

Also something of interest: If you go to the website of Barkin Associates Architects and then to their Wesleyan University section, you'll see the following note:

* Literary Society - Mystical Seven Building, New Construction

Hmmm...

The more things stay the same

This entry from the Mystical 7 Cauldrons, called "Proceedings of the Eclectic Society," dates from 1839 and is quite a fun read. For a society whose mission statement dedicates itself to change, Eclectic sure hasn't changed much in the last 100+ years.

"...The members assembled according to custom in wheel barrows and were deposited by their respective attendants on their couches;—the President’s being raised 6 feet higher than the others for the purpose of being conspicuous. The records were then examined and received with slight amusement, Mr. Clark being fined for spilling his liquor. The Society then listened to a speech from the President upon the subject of mermaids; in which he established beyond a doubt the truth of their existence and gave an eloquent and animated account of their appearance and mode of life."

The site says that the Cauldron in question is Volume 2, which is available for public viewing in Olin's Special Collections.

Greek Life

Societies:

Eclectic

Mission statement: "The Eclectic Society is a coeducational society composed of House Members and Associate Members scattered about the community. While many house members are involved in artistic, political, and musical endeavors, there is no definition of what an Eclectic member actually is or does. This contributes to what is the only truly static attribute of the society: change."

The Eclectic Society, originally Phi Nu Theta, was established at Wesleyan in 1837. It later lost its Greek affiliation and is now only known as Eclectic. Their house, designed by Henry Bacon, is located on High Street next to the Public Safety office. They host some of the biggest parties of the year, notably the Halloween Party, Queer Prom, and the Sex Party. Their entire first floor consists of lots of wide open ballroom-style space, making it an ideal venue for shows—In the past, notable bands that have played there include The Walkmen, The Books, Mates of State, and the Unicorns.

The pledging process at Eclectic is somewhat different from that of the other societies on campus. Twice a year, they send out invitations through the mail to tons of prospective members and then have them fill out a long and, in Joe-John’s words, “weird-ass” application that’s almost zine-like in format—Last year, it was a xeroxed black and white booklet with graphics like dinosaurs and vintage woodcuts. It also involved tasks like matching female members’ names with photographs of breasts or a drawing a picture of you and your worst enemy fighting. Then they gradually cull the pledges until they initiate only a small percentage of the original number invited. There is very little active recruitment involved, which is the opposite from most other societies.


Alpha Delt


Mission Statement: "The Alpha Delta Phi Society is a self-governing coeducational organization dedicated to cultivating character, scholarship, and enduring friendships. Our literary tradition fosters lifelong intellectual growth, mentoring, and achievement among our members. We stay crunchy in milk."

Alpha Delt has a fantastic house in the middle of campus that’s home to the Star and Crescent Eating Club, which is not really a club but rather a society-run restaurant. The house is across the street from Eclectic, and apparently in the olden days there was a healthy rivalry between the two; Even today the first cork popped during Alpha Delt’s initiation is fired in Eclectic’s direction.

ADP is famous for two things: Its food and the Grotto. The Grotto is a half-underground stone-walled cellar/den of sin where parties are sometimes held and a lot of rumors of ill repute begin. This is how Joe-John describes it: “Some people like to treat the grotto as another universe, where you're not responsible for your actions and there is no such thing as time.” Good? Bad? Up to you.

Alpha Delt is the home of the Goth Party, Porn and Milkshakes, the Literary Ball, and a lot of raves; However, these are somewhat less widely advertised than some of the other parties on campus, so you may have to ask around for dates (Or read this blog!). Bands play there sometimes as well; For instance, World Inferno played at Alpha Delt two years ago, as did Harry and the Potters.

If Alpha Delt was a t-shirt:


Fraternities:

Psi U


Mission Statement: "The Xi Chapter of the Psi-Upsilon Fraternity exists in order to pursue personal responsibility, service to others, virtuous behavior, and a love of learning. The undergraduate members of the Xi represent a group of students with diverse backgrounds, interests, and directions. For the last 161 years, the ultimate goal of the Xi has been to contribute to the betterment of Wesleyan and society far beyond its numbers, which it continues to work towards today."

Psi U’s house is on High Street, between Fisk and the power plant. Out of the fraternities at Wesleyan, Psi U is the one that most resembles an old boy’s club, but is at the same time the most widely accessible. As a society, they are intensely conscious of their image on campus and in the Middletown community at large. Perhaps because of this, they hold a LOT of events throughout the year. Their parties are widely attended; They attract a great variety of members as well as party-goers (there’s a DJ booth conveniently located above the main floor of the house) and for some reason, international students especially like to hang out there. They hold a lot of benefits, dance parties and concerts that have featured the likes of RJD2.

They also have a restaurant called Chique Chaque but apparently no one but fraternity members eat there these days.

If Psi U was a t-shirt:



Beta


Mission Statement: “Devoting a portion of one's time and energy to serving others is considered by many as everyone’s public rent for the privilege of living and enjoying the benefits of our good life here at Wesleyan University. As preparation for life after graduation, Betas, individually and as members, devote a portion of each and every year to the perpetuation of a fraternity that strives for mutual assistance by carrying out honorable labors and aspirations in hopes of improving our sense of community here at Wesleyan University. Beta Theta Pi is an all-male fraternity that carries out a combination of social functions and formal rituals based on those of our general fraternity based in Oxford, Ohio. We host a variety of social events for Wesleyan students and participate in community service projects in the Middletown area. Our aim is to provide communal living for those interested in fraternity life and the pursuit of excellence.”

I know…nothing about Beta. They have loud dance parties and they sound like fun. They have a giant kiddie pool that they sit in with bikinied women when it’s hot out. There are lawn chairs on their roof. Just based on the number of people they have in The Tech, they seem fall somewhere in the spectrum of animal house-ness between Psi U and DKE.

If Beta was a t-shirt:


DKE

Mission Statement: “The true mission of Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) Gamma Phi Chapter at Wesleyan University is to bring young persons together to make lifelong friendships, accept roles of responsibility, and to maintain a standard of conduct in the highest order. This conduct coincides with the advancement and encouragement of intellectual excellence and of personal knowledge. The development of a spirit of tolerance and respect for the rights and views of others with dignity, self-respect, and moral basis. It is the responsibility of Delta Kappa Epsilon to provide an environment where these ideals can be discovered, formulated, and attained for the greater good of the Gamma Phi Chapter and of the entire Wesleyan University community.”

DKE has a bad rap around campus, stemming from the fact that it is the most typical fraternity around. Its ranks are populated by a disproportionate percentage of football players, people who drop cups during Mocon announcements, and those who hate Wesleyan in general. The only person I’ve ever heard use the adjective “faggity” was a DKE brother, and girls are sometimes warned not to go their parties alone (which I think is an unnecessary precaution…). Nevertheless, the brothers are, like most people, genuinely kind, and of course the niche would not exist without people willing to fill it. I hear they have amazing Around the Worlds and great open bars.

If DKE was a t-shirt:


Secret societies:

Skull and Serpent:
Skull operates out of the Tomb, a small box-shaped building with white columns by the CFA that was also designed by Henry Bacon. They throw a number of parties during the year, and often the door to their building will be open late at night.

Mystical 7:
The templum of M7 is a creepy-looking seven-sided building, but it was burnt down and now is boarded up just a bit further up Wyllys Avenue from the Tomb. There are technically two factions of M7, both of which are still in operation. For more about the Mystical 7, click here.

Theta Nu Epsilon:
TNE, aka the Skull & Keys, has no building, and is arguably the least secret of the secret societies. They openly chalk and pull small pranks around campus.

Bell and Scroll (I think):
Not technically a secret society, but membership is closed and they have, uhm, secrets, I guess? These are the South College bell ringers.

Other:
[this section ripped verbatim from Joe John's post on Wesblog09]

Here is a list of other Greek organizations on campus and anything I may know about them as well. They are mostly responsible for planning social events and community service on campus and in the Middletown community. Several of them are arms of alumni chapters, and therefore, their charters are not on campus.

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Historically Black Sorority
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Historically Black Fraternity
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Historically Black Sorority
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Historically Black Fraternity
• Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority
• La Unidad Latina LUL Fraternity, Inc., Latino Fraternity
• Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc., Latina Sorority
• Lambda Psi Delta Sorority, Inc., Multi-Cultural Sorority
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Historically Black Sorority