of a marking
system, the absence of which was long a special characteristic of the
University. In spite of this, many alumni were elected at the time of
its establishment in 1907, upon the special recommendation of older
members of the Faculty whose co-operation had been requested. Five years
before the time when Phi Beta Kappa was established, Sigma Xi, a similar
organization, was inaugurated as a recognition of excellence in science.
Tau Beta Pi in engineering likewise came in the field in 1906. There
followed quickly, after this auspicious start, the following societies,
most of them of national scope; Alpha Omega Alpha, in the Medical
School; Tau Sigma Delta, in Architecture; Phi Lambda Upsilon, in
Chemistry; the Order of the Coif, and also the Woolsack, in the Law
School; Phi Sigma, in Science; Pi Delta Epsilon, in Journalism; Iota
Sigma Pi for women specializing in chemistry; and Phi Alpha Tau for
students in oratory. Analogous to these distinctions are the annual
appointments to the editorial board of the _Law Review_, open to the
best senior students in the Law School.

A society organized by upper classmen in 1900, "Quadrangle," for many
years maintained outstanding scholastic ability as well as a certain
degree of popularity as qualifications for membership. Its traditions
have perhaps changed somewhat through a too great, though perhaps
inevitable instructorial complexion and the abandonment of its original
emphasis on literature and the arts. Among the women a similar
association is found in "Stylus," a society established in 1908. Similar
societies, which emphasize the literary and scientific interests of
their members, are the University Branches of the American Institutes of
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the "Prescott Club" of students in
Pharmacy, the "Architectural Society," the "Commerce Club," and another
women's society, "Athena."

For some years there was a marked tendency in the University to form
sectional clubs, such as the "Rocky Mountain," "New York,"
"Pennsylvania," and "New England" clubs, usually with their own house
and dining-room, organized somewhat on the example of the fraternities.
The impulse, however, has lapsed somewhat, though the foreign students
in the University still maintain the "Cosmopolitan Club," a very active
organization with national affiliations, as well as a "Chinese Students
Club," a "South African Union," and a "Nippon Club."

In the earlier years the stud