Theta Nu Epsilon Society - History of the Massachusetts Chapter

The Theta Nu Epsilon Society.

The Eta Eta Chapter at the University of Massachusetts.

The Eta Eta Chapter at the University of Massachusetts was founded in 1909, and was a legitimate chapter. It was possibly chartered by Pi-Omicron National, but the chapter was legitimized in 1910 by the United National. Since it was a traditional class society, it was driven from the society in the 1913-16 Interfraternity Conflict.

The Eta Eta Chapter produced a history for itself in the June 3, 1913, issue of The College Signal :

Theta Nu Epsilon was established at M.A.C. in 1909 as an inter-fraternity society, existing ‘sub-rosa’ until April 1913, when steps were first taken to secure faculty recognition. The aim of the society at this time was 'to be an inter-fraternal society (in time, to include men from all the recognized fraternities and neutrals) for the purpose of bringing about and fosteris a better fraternity spirit between fraternities as well as neutrals.

The faculty committee on fraternities, when approached in regard to the recognition of Theta Nu Epsilon shared the opinion that there was need for an inter-fraternal society at Aggie. (Here, as elsewhere in this communication, inter-fraternal is used in its broadest sense to include neutrals or non-fraternity men as well as fraternity men.) After considering the matter it was mutually agreed that this society be ‘honorary,’ drawing into its membership the representative men in college who are leaders in the various branches of student activity.

Theta Nu Epsilon accordingly drew up by-laws embodying thse two main ideas, namely, (1) to be a real honorary society, and (2) to be an interfraternal society, including in membership from all the recognized fraternities and neutrals, in so far as possible, at the same time keeping the standard of the society high enough so that membership in it may be considered to be an honor.

The petition of our society and our by-laws were accepted, our national organization was found to measure up to the prpoer standard and we received the official recognition of the faculty of the college.

Immediately we sought to strengthen the society by introducing into our council, the wisdom and experience of older men. Six faculty members were elected and duly initiated into the society. For the past year we have elected men to membership in Theta Nu Epsilon on the basis of each man’s own individual merit as we believe he has ‘made good,’ regardless of his fraternity or non-fraternity relationships. We shall continue to elect men in this way, not at any specified time but at any time during the junior or senior year or after graduation.

Active membership in Theta Nu Epsilon is limited to members of the junior and senior classes, except that not more than three members of the sophomore class may be elected to membership and initiated not earlier than the first day of may. [Editor's note : This is obviously some unique settlement necessary at UMass and not seen elsewhere.] No member of Theta Nu Epsilon is allowed to join or affiliate himself with any other class or interfraternity society at M.A.C. We believe that a man who belongs to one society cannot afford to give time to more.

Theta Nu Epsilon, besides bringing its members together in the bonds of friendship, is endeavoring to bring about and foster a better inter-fraternity spirit, to draw faculty and students closer together, and to promote the best interests of the students and college, now and after graduation. We have taken our stand against fraternity deals and ‘petty politics’ from the beginning. Most emphatically, we are not a political organization. The above, as briefly outlined as possible, is a statement of our organization and its aims. It is not our wish to announce ourselves as an ‘honor’ society. Our aim is to be ‘honorary,’ however, by making and keeping the calibre of our membership high enough so that election to this society shall be considered to be an honor.

very respectfully yours,

Theta Nu Epsilon.

The same sentiments could be stated today, with the ‘inter-fraternity’ element abstracted out.

On January 20, 1914, and responding to N.I.C. pressure, the Eta Eta Chapter announced its reorganization in the pages of The College Signal, stating that they would now be operating as Thecedes, and that Thecedes was organized “1. To boost old Aggie. 2. To encourage strong ties of friendship among the men of the college and among the several fraternities, 3. To honor those men who have achieved success in the various college activities, including scholarship, 5. To foster, as alumni, the best interests of the college.” Which goals are no different than any Theta Nu Epsilon chapter. The Eta Eta Chapter, as reorganized as Thecedes lived another fifteen years until 1930. A revival organization pro‑chapter was attempted from November 11, 2006 until December 27, 2007.