List of senior societies

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Senior societies are a type of collegiate student organization that recruits juniors and seniors.{{Cite web |last=Glatsky |first=Genevieve |date=September 22, 2016 |title=Inside Senior Societies |url=https://www.34st.com/article/2016/09/senior-societies |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=34th Street |language=en-US}} Senior societies are associated with Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.{{Cite web |last=Wuu |first=Sydney |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Senior societies navigate challenges as winter tapping proceeds virtually |url=https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2021/01/senior-societies-navigate-challenges-as-winter-tapping-proceeds-virtually |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Dartmouth |language=en-US}} These societies can be activity-based, identity-based, school-based (departmental or academic field), or traditional. Senior societies may be "landed", owning a building or tomb, or "non-landed".{{Cite web |last=Gittler |first=Gittler |last2=Hart |first2=Chrissy |date=2017-02-24 |title=The choice is yours |url=https://features.yaledailynews.com/blog/2017/02/24/the-choice-is-yours/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Daily News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Pohly |first=Kaitlyn |date=2024-02-28 |title=Behind tomb doors: Yale’s society tap process |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/02/28/behind-tomb-doors-yales-society-tap-process/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Daily News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Branch |first=Mark Alden |date=July 2014 |title=Open secrets |url=https://yalealumnimagazine.org/articles/3909-open-secrets |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Alumni Magazine |language=en}}

Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1883), notes that Phi Beta Kappa, founded at the College of William & Mary in 1776, was the first senior society.Baird, William Raimond, ed. [https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hxq52u?urlappend=%3Bseq=297%3Bownerid=115648044-309 American College Fraternities, 3rd edition]. New York: Frank Williams, 1883. pp. 195-196. via Hathi Trust. {{Efn|Phi Beta Kappa is now considered to be an honor society.}} At Dartmouth University, senior societies date back to 1783 with the founding of an organization called the Society of Social Friends.{{Cite web |last=Bauman |first=Gretchen |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Tapping, Tunnels and the Tomb: The Development of Dartmouth’s Senior Societies |url=https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2024/02/tapping-tunnels-and-the-tomb-the-development-of-dartmouths-senior-societies |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Dartmouth |language=en-US}} Dartmouth currently had fourteen active senior societies. Yale has more than forty active senior societies. The oldest senior society at Yale is Skull and Bones, established in 1831, followed by Scroll and Key in 1841. Other colleges have similar organizations but use different terminology. For example, there are Princeton University eating clubs and Harvard University final clubs.{{Cite web |last=Courtney |first=Nadine Jolie |date=2016-08-09 |title=The Most Exclusive Student Clubs of the Ivy League |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/news/g2223/ivy-league-clubs/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Town & Country |language=en-US}}

Senior societies tend to be exclusive, and members pay dues to belong.{{Cite web |last=Orrson |first=Emily |date=April 20, 2011 |title=The Half of It: Senior societies shouldn’t have to tap that |url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2011/04/the_half_of_it_senior_societies_shouldnrsquot_have_to_tap_that |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Daily Pennsylvanian |language=en-us}} Members are most often recruited by a process called "tapping". Membership in each senior society tends to be small, averaging around fifteen active members. Some senior societies are also secret societies, where the names of members are kept secret, while others are open and share their membership rolls. Other senior societies are semi-secret, keeping member's names a secret until graduation. Some senior societies also are considered honor societies.

Following is an incomplete list of collegiate senior societies.

class="wikitable sortable"

!Society

!Charter date and range

!Institution

!Type

!References

Abaris

|1996

|Dartmouth College

|Activity-based

|{{Cite web |date=2016-11-22 |title=Senior Societies {{!}} Greek Life and Societies |url=https://students.dartmouth.edu/greek-life/organizations/senior-societies |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Dartmouth College |language=en}}

Agaia

|

|Yale University

|

|{{Cite journal |date=May 2016 |title=Senior Societies |url=https://yalerumpusblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/society-issue.pdf |journal=The Rumpus |volume=23 |issue=4 |pages=3-5 |via=Yale University}}

Agora

|

|Yale University

|

|

Andromeda

|2013

|Dartmouth College

|Identity-based

|

The Apostles

|

|Yale University

|

|{{Cite web |date=July 2014 |title=List: 41 secret societies at Yale |url=https://yalealumnimagazine.org/articles/3910-list-41-secret-societies-at-yale |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Alumni Magazine |language=en}}

Atlas

|

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|

Aurelian Honor Society

|1910

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

B&C

|

|Yale University

|

|

BaR

|

|Yale University

|

|

Bell Senior Society

|2014

|University of Pennsylvania

|Activity-based

|{{Cite web |title=Bell Senior Society |url=https://bellsociety.com/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=bellsociety.com |language=en}}

Belmonte

|

|Yale University

|

|

Berzelius (secret society)

|1848

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

Beta Omega

|1841–xxxx ?

|Kenyon College

|Traditional

|{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=William Raimond |year=1879 |title=Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Baird's_Manual_of_American_College_Fraternities_(1879)/Class_fraternities/Senior_societies |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=en.wikisource.org |language=en}}

Book and Snake

|1863

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

C&D

|

|Yale University

|

|

Cage and Feather

|

|Yale University

|

|

Cane Club

|1921– xxxx ?

|Johns Hopkins University

|Traditional

|

Carriage Senior Society

|2013

|University of Pennsylvania

|Identity-based

|{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Chloe |date=April 14, 2016 |title=Carriage senior society brings together LGBTQ students and allies |url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2016/04/carriage-senior-society |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=The Daily Pennsylvanian |language=en-us}}

Casque and Gauntlet

|1886

|Dartmouth College

|Activity-based

|

Ceres Athena

|

|Yale University

|

|{{Efn|Created when women were first admitted to Yale University.}}

C.C.C.

|1876–xxxx ?

|University of California, Berkely

|

|

Chimera

|1914

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|

Cipactli Latinx Honor Society

|2001

|University of Pennsylvania

|Identity-based

|{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.cipactlilhs.org/about.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Cipactli Lantinx Honor Society |language=en}}

Cloak and Dagger

|

|Yale University

|

|

Cobra

|1978

|Dartmouth College

|Identity-based

|

Cong

|

|Yale University

|

|

Cup and Crown

|

|Yale University

|

|

De Gang

|1891–1910s

|Johns Hopkins University

|Traditional

|

Delta Kappa Delta (local)

|18xx ?–xxxx ?

|Marietta College

|Traditional

|

Deru

|1896

|Northwestern University

|Activity-based

|{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Sean Collins |date=2011-02-15 |title=In Focus: Inside Deru |url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2011/02/15/campus/academic/in-focus-inside-deru/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=The Daily Northwestern}}

Desmos

|1950–1967, 2010

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|{{Cite web |last=Yiin |first=Wesley |date=2014-04-15 |title=Society lands on Chapel Street |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2014/04/15/society-lands-on-chapel-street/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Daily News |language=en}}{{Efn|Reformed from Key and Stone (local).}}

Double Cuffs

|2010

|Yale University

|

|

Dragon Society

|1898

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional, secret

|

DSG

|1989

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|{{Efn|Rumpus reported that DSG stands for "Drunk Senior Girls" but this is disputed by the organization's members.}}

Elephant and Coffin

|18xx ?–xxxx ?

|City College of New York

|Traditional

|

Elihu Club

|1903

|Yale University

|Traditional

|

Fire and Skoal

|1975

|Dartmouth College

|Identity-based

|

Fork & Knife

|

|Yale University

|

|

Friars Senior Society

|1899

|University of Pennsylvania

|Traditional

|{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://friarsseniorsociety.com/about/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Friars Senior Society}}

Griffin

|1995

|Dartmouth College

|Activity-based

|

Gryphon

|

|Yale University

|

|

Gryphon Senior Society

|2020

|University of Pennsylvania

|School-based

|{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Andres |date=February 24, 2021 |title=Two students form senior society open only to College students |url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/02/college-senior-society-gryphon-penn |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=The Daily Pennsylvanian |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Andres |date=February 24, 2021 |title=Two students form senior society open only to College students |url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/02/college-senior-society-gryphon-penn |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Daily Pennsylvanian |language=en-us}}

Helios Society

|2015

|Yale University

|

|{{Cite web |last=O'Daly |first=Britton |date=2017-04-18 |title=Two societies added to Society Initiative |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2017/04/18/two-societies-added-to-society-initiative/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Daily News |language=en}}

Hexagon

|1910

|University of Pennsylvania

|School-based

|

Ink and Needle

|

|Yale University

|

|

Innominatum

|

|Yale University

|

|

Iris

|

|Yale University

|

|

ISO

|

|Yale University

|

|

Kinoki Senior Society

|2014

|University of Pennsylvania

|Activity-based

|{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Greg |date=March 23, 2017 |title=Film society preps Penn seniors for careers in entertainment |url=https://penntoday.upenn.edu/features/film-society-preps-penn-seniors-for-careers-in-entertainment |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Penn Today |publisher=University of Pennsylvania}}

Lantern Society

|1993

|University of Pennsylvania

|School-based

|

LC

|

|Yale University

|

|

Leviathan

|

|Yale University

|

|

Lincoln

|

|Yale University

|

|

Linonian Society

|1753–xxxx ?, 19xx ?

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|{{Efn|Originally formed as a literary society, Linonia was revived as a secret senior society in the 20th century.}}

Lion's Paw Senior Society

|1908

|Pennsylvania State University

|Activity-based

|{{Cite web |title=The Lion's Paw Senior Society |url=http://www.lionspaw.org/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Lion's Paw Senior Society |language=en}}

Looking Glass

|

|Yale University

|

|

Mace and Chain

|1956

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

Manuscript Society

|1951

|Yale University

|Traditional

|

Mortar Board

|1918

|National

|Traditional

|

Myth and Sword

|1875–1965, 199x ?

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

Nacoms

|1898

|Columbia University

|Activity-based

|

Nathan Hale

|

|Yale University

|

|

Nightingales

|2011

|University of Pennsylvania

|School-based

|

Octa

|

|Yale University

|

|

Olympus

|2014

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|

Onyx Senior Society

|1974

|University of Pennsylvania

|Identity-based

|{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.onyxseniorhonorsociety.com/history |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=onyx |language=en}}

Oracle Senior Society

|2003

|University of Pennsylvania

|Identity-based

|[http://www.oracleseniorsociety.org/about About Oracle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728115910/http://www.oracleseniorsociety.org/about|date=2012-07-28}} Oracle Senior Honor Society

Order of the Sirens

|2007

|Dartmouth College

|Indentity-based

|

Osiris

|2016

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|

Osiris Senior Society

|2013

|University of Pennsylvania

|Activity-based

|[http://www.osirisseniorsociety.com Osiris Senior Society] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407092910/http://www.osirisseniorsociety.com/|date=April 7, 2014}}

Osiris Society

|1903

|Massachusetts Institute of Technology

|Traditional

|{{Cite web |last=Garfinkel |first=Simson |date=December 23, 2024 |title=MIT’s (mostly) secret society |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/12/23/1107304/mits-mostly-secret-society/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}

Owl and Key

|1909

| University of Utah

|Traditional

|

Owl and Serpent

|18xx ?–xxxx ?

|Wesleyan University

|Traditional

|

Owl and Wand

|1868–1960s

|Wesleyan University

|Traditional

|

OX

|

|Yale University

|

|

Palaeopitus Senior Society

|1899

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|{{Cite web |title=History – Palaeopitus Senior Society |url=https://sites.dartmouth.edu/palaeopitus/history/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Dartmouth College}}

Pew

|

|Yale University

|

|

Phi Chi

|18xx ?–xxxx ?

|Bowdoin College

|Traditional

|

Phoenix

|1984

|Dartmouth College

|Identity-based

|

The Pithotomy Club

|1893–1992

|Johns Hopkins University

|School-based

|

Phrygian

|2005

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|

Praetorian

|

|Yale University

|

|{{Cite web |date=June 2015 |title=Secret Societies 2015 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/268029539/Secret-Societies-2015 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Rumpus |language=en |via=Scribd}}

Prince

|

|Yale University

|

|

The Pundits

|1884

|Yale University

|Activity-based

|

Pyxis

|2014

|Dartmouth College

|Identity-based

|

Quill and Dagger

|1883

|Cornell University

|Traditional

|

Red Dragon Society

|1898

|New York University

|Traditional, secret

|

Red Mask

|

|Yale University

|

|

Ring and Candle

|xxxx ?–c. 1975, 2015

|Yale University

|

|{{Cite web |last=Victor |first=Jon |date=2015-10-08 |title=Seven new senior societies established |url=https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2015/10/08/seven-new-senior-societies-established/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Yale Daily News |language=en}}

Sachems

|1915

|Columbia University

|Activity-based

|

Sage and Chalice

|

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

St. Elmo Society

|1963

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

Scarabbean Senior Society

|1915

|University of Tennessee

|Activity-based, secret

|

Scroll and Key

|1842

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

The Senior Society

|1892

|Johns Hopkins University

|Traditional

|

Shamash Senior Society

|2018

|University of Pennsylvania

|Identity-based

|{{Cite web |last=Wu |first=Allison |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Penn has a new senior society for Jewish students: Shamash |url=https://www.thedp.com/article/2018/10/upenn-shamash-jewish-senior-society-ivy-league |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=The Daily Pennsylvanian |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=Shamash Senior Society |url=http://shamashseniorsociety.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921114808/https://shamashseniorsociety.org/ |archive-date=2018-09-21 |access-date=2018-09-21 |website=Shamash Senior Society |language=en-US}}

Sigma Society

|1880

|Washington and Lee University

|Traditional, secret

|

Skull and Bones

|1832

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

Skull & Keys

|1882–c. 1980

|University of California, Berkeley

|Traditional, secret

|

Snakes Society

|1993

|University of Pennsylvania

|School-based

|

Society of Fox and Chariot

|2015

|Yale University

|

|

Spade and Grave

|1864

|Yale University

|Traditional, secret

|

Sphinx

|1885

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional, secret

|

Sphinx Head

|1890

|Cornell University

|Activity-based

|

Sphinx Senior Society

|1900

|University of Pennsylvania

|Traditional

|

Society of Saint Thomas Aquinas (aka Aquinas)

|2010

|Yale University

|Traditional

|

Society of Social Friends

|1783–xxxx ?

|Dartmouth College

|Traditional

|

Tau Club

|1891–1911

|Johns Hopkins University

|Traditional

|

TDC

|

|Yale University

|

|

Torch Honor Society

|1916–196x ?, 1995

|Yale University

|Traditional

|{{Cite web |title=Collection: Torch Honor Society, Yale University, records |url=https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/12/resources/2383 |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Archives at Yale}}

Trident and Shell

|18xx ?–xxxx ?

|University of Michigan

|Traditional

|

Tyger

|1892

|Dartmouth College

|Senior Men

|

Whiskey and Coke

|

|Yale University

|

|

WIPS (Women in Power Society)

|

|Yale University

|Identity-based

|{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2013 |title=Secret societies get social: WIPS’ Pinterest |url=https://www.uwire.com/2013/04/11/secret-societies-get-social-wips-pinterest/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Yale Herald |via=UWire}}

Wolf's Head Society

|1883

|Yale University

|Traditional

|

XV

|

|Yale University

|

|

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References