The Cord at the College of William and Mary is another infamous secret society. It was founded in 1881 by displaced students after the college was forced to shut down due to financial difficulties. Then-President Ewell kept the College's spirit alive by ringing the College Bell at the beginning of each academic year until the school reopened in 1888, though the extent of his involvement with The Cord is unknown. The name "The Cord" is thought to originate with the cord of the College Bell that rang through the college's closure. Membership consists of four seniors who act as a sort of governing body for the society and select four juniors each year to carry on its traditions. While the juniors and seniors never meet face-to-face, the juniors are given instructions on when and where to meet each other when they are chosen. At several nocturnal meetings throughout the year at famous locations on the campus set up by the senior members they lay out a plan for the next year's initiates and the meetings they will attend, as well as organizing any further activity.
Comments