The first secret college society on record was created in 1750 at The College of William and Mary, called the F.H.C. Society. This society mainly focused on a collection of men and alcohol, but the concept spread and has sense become a large part of the the history and active legacy of many university campuses.

These Yale secret societies are among the first in the United States and have become the most notable. Many famous and powerful people in US history were members of these societies, such as President William Howard Taft, President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush, and former Secretary of State John Kerry. The similarity of the names to Skull and Keys and the adoption of the language of a "tomb" as opposed to the better known jargon of the "frat house" shows us the desire to continue and keep up with the establishment of the East Coast and the prestige of the Ivy Leagues. These societies were founded as senior societies for fraternity men and or for other men on campus. Scroll and Keys came out of Skull and Bones, as certain members wanted to create their own societies to have more individual power. We can understand the influence on Skull and Keys that these two societies had, and even further we can connect the deeply American desire for exclusion, and allure to both the Ivy's and the University of the California through the creation of Skull and Keys on campus. The very stature of the Ivy League tombs demonstrates a deep desire for a markable in and out group. Fraternity houses are ones where social activity often spills out onto front lawns or is made to be perceptible by others purposefully to establish a superiority complex. The individuals attending events or living there are situating themselves as aspirational to other members of campus as they illustrate loudly the joy, network, access, and status they have. Yet the tombs, unlike frat houses, are more focused on the exclusivity as physically marked by the lack of ability to even perceive status. The lack of knowledge paired with the allure of the tomb, creates a mystery and seduction behind the organization as it strongly dictates a limited in group.

Interview with Scroll and Keys Member

Given the essence of secret societies remaining secret, not much is firmly known about the interworking of the Skull and Keys society and what actually took place within the tomb. But it is important to note, that even after its alleged closure, and after decades, the society remains secret. This is similar to the still-standing Skull and Bones and Scroll and Key societies, the alumni and current students know of the organizations, but nothing has been made public about the inter-workings. Although I am sure records were kept, the withholding of such records adds to the aura of such a group and adds to the aura of the tomb.

Berkeley's Secret Societies

Berkeley has many other secret societies, two of which are notably still functioning. The Order of the Golden Bear is an honors society founded in 1900. According to their up to date website "President Wheeler was interested in the Order because it created a forum in which student leaders could gather and discuss problems and issues of common interest. One of Wheeler’s goals as President was to refocus students to support what he called 'The Greater University.' The Order, through its non-partisan discussions, was to be a mechanism for accomplishing this. The intent of the Order was and remains to be a gathering of students, faculty, staff members, and administrators in one room as equals to engage in honest, frank, and confidential discussions about issues that relate to student life at the University."

Unlike the Order of the Golden Bear, there is another Greek life focused society called the Sons and Daughters of California. Much like Skull and Keys they select their members from different fraternities and sororities, creating an elite group out of an already exclusive group of greek life. The society, according to one anonymous member, taps freshman to join through rituals on a designated 'tapping day.' Their main goal, now, is drinking and maintaining status among Greek Life. They are known to wear all white with Berkeley ties, while carrying baby dolls around football games. They do not have a physical house, and because of this, they remain more exclusive to the point where many students do not know of their existence. Skull and Keys balanced this mystery and awareness though having the tomb as a physical manifestation of their existence.

The use of secret societies function to maintain a space of status within a public institution, especially one such as Berkeley that moved to include women students and non-White male students at a relatively quick rate. The act of gatekeeping information, parties, and connections to alumni, reinforces a cultural other of those not asked to join.