Order of the Golden Bear

Not to be confused with the Golden Grizzlies, the Oakland University sports organisation.

The Order of the Golden Bear is a fellowship of UC Berkeley students, faculty, and alumni who are committed to serving and bettering the University of California.^{[citation needed]} Founded in 1900, The Order of the Golden Bear is a group that loves the University and its traditions and is dedicated to ensuring its continued prosperity far into the future.^{[citation needed]} The Order serves as a forum for discussion where fellows gather every other week during the academic year to exchange ideas on a variety of topics pertinent to the well being of the campus community.^{[citation needed]} The realization of this purpose of free exchange of ideas requires educated, controversial, and provocative discussions.^{[citation needed]}

Fellows are free to discuss ideas amongst themselves, but never attribute opinions or remarks to their authors.^{[citation needed]} To do so would jeopardize the safe haven that allows the Order to be a free exchange of ideas.^{[citation needed]} The Order casts no votes to determine specific courses of action.^{[citation needed]} Fellows gain a better understanding of the issues discussed and are entrusted to go and act as they see most effective in bettering the University.^{[citation needed]} It is the duty of each to serve the University in their own capacity and in the ways that they deem most appropriate.^{[citation needed]}

Despite its mystique, The Order is not a traditional secret society per se, though membership is usually kept in strict confidence and it maintains university traditions unique to The Order that reflect qualities found in many collegiate secret societies.

Membership in the Order includes influential members of the University administration, state government, and the Board of Regents. Some of the more active Berkeley alumni have been attending meetings with the Order for many years and pass on the history of the University and the Order through their personal attendance.

At one time, membership was limited to senior men at Berkeley though it now includes women and junior class members, as well as graduate and professional school students.

Source

Magazine reference Order of the Golden Bear website