niche traditions
Keeper of the Keys
There is a box. It is hidden. Not much is known about this box, except that it is hidden. Only one can access it; one whose name dominates all wonder and mystery. This is the Keeper of the Keys–they who hold the brass weapon.
A tradition founded in 1995, the Keeper of the Keys maintains a cryptic yet coveted role in protecting the Societies from enemies; namely, those who would try to unravel this box of unearthly wonders.
The Philanthropic Society hosts the current Keeper of the Keys.
Guest- and Rolebooks
Shakespeare once said that "A name is a rose." At DiPhi, you'll find that we take good care of our roses. Guests can sign the guestbook (as many times as they like) and automatically enter the DiPhi passage of history. We archive all of our guestbooks in the Wilson Special Collections Library.
While we only keep records of roll books from 1908, minutes from the Societies' earliest years include the names of both members and guests. Membership books go all the way back to 1795. In both societies, used to be known as 'Catalogs of Members' until 1908. You can find the addresses of some members in these catalogs, and special committees were designated to keep track of them. You'll find names like 'James K. Polk' and 'Thomas Wolfe' signed casually, in the messy ink of academics' handwriting.
The JSP Impeachment and Trial
At the end of the semester (the meeting before elections or earlier) the JS brings a huge list of mostly jokey complaints about the JSP in front of the joint senate and reads them all. After that at a later date, they will hold a mock trial full of wacky witnesses attesting to the “moral failures” of the JSP.
The more seriously you take the maximally absurd charges, the better. For example, a charge against President Emeritus Johnson included “Whereas there are already too many Johnsons in the societies” and “Whereas he has not sunk a single British warship (referencing Johnson Blakely who sank 15).”
On a similar note, the society presidents would traditionally write fun little quips to read about each of their candidates while introducing them at the infamous Diphi elections meeting.
The After-Meeting Meeting Spot
After every meeting and event, we would traditionally go to Linda’s. But they recently began closing on Mondays so alas, we go to Cosmic Cantina instead after Monday meetings! At Linda's, we order Cheese fries! (Usually, one or two people will get them for the table)
We usually reside on the top floor of Lindas. Popular DiPhi orders include plain tots, loaded tots, Brussels sprouts with house-made peppercorn ranch, and not dragon sauce, which is cursed. We buy cheese fries for guests which should be announced at the beginning of every meeting!
Traditionally best speaker was awarded $10 at each meeting which was just enough money for buying a basket of cheese fries at Linda's! Best speaker awards are designed to be enough to buy a basket of loaded cheese fries, which in 2020 rose to $12.
Diphi's Week of Welcome
Open House should be one of the first events of each semester! Hosted by Membership Committee, this is an intro to DiPhi for new guests at the beginning of each semester. The JSP, Critic, Historian, and SoComm each give a brief overview of a different aspect of DiPhi. The open house starts in the Phi and senators should chat with new guests, and there should be refreshments. After each brief presentation, there can be queries. After that’s all done, go to Linda’s!
Capture the Flag is a biannual social event usually at the start of the semester to display Di v. Phi rivalry and get to know new guests.
At the start of the spring semester Diphi would take a trip to the orange county ice rink and ice skate for a while. This is an event lost to history but perhaps not forever...
The Historian (or someone else, ideally a group) gives an Oddities Tour of UNC’s campus at the beginning of the fall semester, featuring weird spots and pieces of history (and the occasional (or frequent) DiPhi plug). This should be advertised to the whole of UNC.
The Week of Welcome meeting is generally decided upon the semester before the debate is held. They are generally UNC-focused to draw in new freshmen. Fliers are published in as many places as possible such as the UNC planning guide and any organization booster.