submitted by Katie Linehan
John F. Kennedy once said, “The very word secrecy is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, secret oaths and to secret proceedings.” Still, secret societies exist at several universities throughout the country.
Loyola’s secret society, called 1540, consists of some of the most active and recognized students at Loyola. They claim to dedicate themselves to improving Loyola and influencing administrative action. They have been known to give money to students in the form of scholarships or plane tickets home (not surprisingly, recipients of gifts have close ties to the society). Members, meanwhile, go to great lengths to conceal their identity.
The Director of Student Activities, Chris Cameron, has a role in 1540 and may have even started the society shortly after coming to Loyola several years ago. As I learned more about the society, Cameron was most commonly referred to as “the public face of 1540.” I present four major objections to Mr. Cameron’s involvement:
1. Cameron contributed to, and has the duty to enforce, the student handbook that has very strict guidelines prohibiting involvement in any unchartered organization operating on campus. From banners in the gym, to their presentation of a $500 check to Father Wildes at the inaugural ball, and steak dinners in the senior commons room to initiating new members each spring, 1540 certainly operates within the confines of campus. Any person who breaks this rule must pay a $250 to $500 fine and may be suspended from the university.
2. Cameron was one of the arbitrators in the Tri Phi hearing. He contributed to the decision to take severe and lasting action against the women for their involvement in an unchartered organization. All along, he was guilty of the same offense.
3. Cameron serves as the advisor to SGA. The purpose of SGA is to provide democratic means of representation, charter organizations and make sure they follow guidelines, and allocate funds in a fair and unbiased manner. 1540’s existence negates all the above purposes.
4. Cameron started the annual Leaders of the Pack retreat. At this year’s three-day retreat members of 1540 went into private rooms and placed cards on students’ pillows stating, “we are always watching” along with other bizarre psychological wordplay.
Clearly, Mr. Cameron’s dual role as an administrator and the “public face” of 1540 presents a contradiction of purpose and principle. An administrator who perpetuates a shroud of secrecy and deceit while encouraging students to violate policy presents a threat to the unity within student life and the University as a whole. The students involved in 1540 should face the same treatment as any other student who breaks University policy. An administrator who violates the very policies he claims to uphold deserves a harsher penalty.
