Fraternity Image

The Image of Fraternities at the University of Minnesota

In a gopher yearbook from 1888, a poem was written about fraternities:

“Strange are ye Fraternities, amazing

Which no Winter’s blast succeeds in dazing,

With your mystic ceremonies crazing

Every one who will not join in praising

Coffins, William goats and skulls and hazing.

And you keep your instruments in training

Uninitiated Fresh, for paining,

As with brimstone, skeletons you’re straining,

So that you may scare the “Barbs” by feigning

That all ghastly powers you’re gaining.”

Fraternities and secret societies started to gain popularity at the U and their exclusiveness was alluring to students. This poem represents that and the hazing that goes along with it.¹