Wesleyan University Ivy Club records

First mentioned as “The Independents” in the college Handbook for the academic year 1914-1915 (p.17), the Ivy Club existed at Wesleyan until October 12, 1932, when it was dissolved for lack of interest. Due to the growing number of fraternities on campus, several undergraduates expressed the desire for an organization of non-fraternity men. The Associated Independents, as the resulting group was originally called, were loosely organized at first, but they later became more unified and placed a scholarship qualification on membership. In December 1928, members voted on a change of name from Associated Independents to Ivy Club, after Ivy Hall, headquarters for the group (now the Student Housing Office at 190 High Street near William Street).

The Ivy Club was a non-fraternity organization (i.e., non-national fraternity) which nonetheless seemed to possess many characteristics of a fraternity. As well as placing a strong emphasis on academic achievement (see Carl F. Price, Wesleyan’s First Century, p. 251), the club took an active part in intramural sports with campus fraternities, and among its committees was one for athletics. Dances were also held by the club several times each year and were noted to have been well attended.

Dues were used primarily for improvements of Ivy Hall as home of the Ivy Club members: a telephone was installed, and a piano, victrola and records were purchased. Gifts of furniture from faculty and alumni were gratefully acknowledged.