Skull & Keys

The Zeta chapter of Theta Nu Epsilon was founded at the University of California, Berkeley as a sophomore society in 1881.^[2] In 1882, Skull & Keys was founded as a senior society for members of Theta Nu Epsilon.^[5] Many of the fraternity's members had an affiliation with Yale and intended to hold "tap day", following the traditions of Yale.^[2][5] One of its founders was Frank Norris who wrote the ritual and ceremonies for Skull & Keys.^[3]

In 1912, Skull & Keys built its lodge or “Tomb” off campus at Le Conte and Euclid.^[6] In 1960, the adjacent Church Divinity School of the Pacific purchased the Skull & Keys’ Tomb property, agreeing to build the society a new Tomb at 2436 Prospect Street.^[6] Despite complaints from residents its new neighborhood, the group proceeded with construction of its 35 by 35 feet (11 by 11 m) new Tomb.^[6] There, the group was known for drunken debauchery.^[6]

Because the Tomb was off-campus and Skull & Bones was not sanctioned by the university, there was little the university could do.^[6] Instead, the people who lived near the Tomb worked with the city which finally closed the building for being a public nuisance and environmental health violations.^[6] In addition, the city fined the group $750 ($2931 in today's money) for cleaning up “beer bottles, cans, vomit, urine, and other filth.”^[6] However, the city's padlock and closure notice did not keep the Skull & Bones members out of the Tomb and they resumed their parties as usual.^[6] After the city boarded up the building, the group eventually gave up by 1980.^[6]

However, as of 2021, the Tomb property is still owned by Skull & Keys Inc., the holding company incorporated in 1912 when the first Tomb was constructed.^[6]

Much of the society's practices, members, and traditions were kept secret. It met semi-monthly in a facility known as the Tomb.^[7] It was led by the Uncle, who was elected by a voice vote of the active members.

Skull & Keys members were recruited from the senior and junior classes of the University of California, Berkeley.^[8] Initiates participated in an initiation ritual known as the Running.^[9][10][8] Originally, the Running involved dress suits with duck trousers.^[11] Later, this public event involved the new members in various costumes, many of which were offensive drawing reproach from the university.^[6]

• Tom Bates, mayor of Berkeley^[4]
• Frank Norris, journalist and novelist^[3]