Theta Nu Epsilon. Skull and Bones. Little is known about this nationally recognized organization – or other “underground” organizations on campus – other than the fact it exists.
Despite the ambiguity surrounding TNE, it has had a place at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln history.
Robert Knoll, an English professor emeritus and author of the book “Prairie University,” said TNE was the best known of the three known “underground” organizations on campus because of the role it played at UNL.
“There was a time when it was very fashionable,” Knoll said. “It was the fraternity of fraternities.”
The members of this secret society had great loyalty for their fellow TNE, even more so than their regular fraternity brothers, he said.
The secret society worked to dictate which students held different offices across campus, not only within the greek system, Knoll said. The campus was smaller earlier in the 20th century, he said, making it easier for TNE to use its authority in dictating who held various offices.
The society thrived over the years from when it was established in the early 20th century because it had a strong alumni base, Knoll said.
TNE members would often paint pictures of skull and crossbones on sidewalks throughout campus, Knoll said.
The establishment of the Innocents Society was primarily a response to the actions of TNE, Knoll said. While in later years, some members of Innocents were speculated to be members of TNE as well, initially the Innocents worked to make positive changes on campus through the validation of the chancellor.
Knoll said UNL administrators always opposed TNE’s power and influence on campus, and they eventually asked the chancellor to remove the group from UNL.
In 1955, Knoll said TNE was removed from the campus by determination of the chancellor, who requested that the alumni, who included many prominent state and national figures, cease their support of the UNL chapter. Since that time, the society has not had as great of an influence on campus, he said.
During his tenure as vice chancellor for student affairs, James Griesen, who retired from his 20-year position last spring, said the organization made its presence known on campus.
The organization claims to have the interests of the university in mind by calling out the bad things they see in the greek system and on campus, Greisen said.
“The way in which they do it is just uncalled for,” he said.
Knoll said that while he was not aware TNE was still active on the UNL campus, news that members were again writing newsletters didn’t surprise him.
After reading through the most recent TNE newsletter, Griesen said this latest installment is no different than those in years past.
“It’s typical of the type of trash they’ve been turning out over the years,” Griesen said.
Griesen said the newsletters are an embarrassment to the university and the entire greek system.
“The best thing to do is ignore them,” Griesen said. “If we see their newsletters – shred them.”
Related Link: Article about the Theta Nu Epsilon newsletter
