Panarchy won approval as the College's first undergraduate society Monday, becoming a unique residential club, a recognized College organization that is separate from the Greek system and not affiliated with any academic program.
Panarchy President Nathan Saunders '94 said the society now operates as a "co-ed, completely open academic, social and residential space."
In its new role, the society is similar to an academic affinity house like the Asian Studies House or La Casa, according to Alison Keefe, assistant dean of residential life.
Some administrators are hoping Panarchy is a prototype for the Greek system of the future, when all houses will be co-ed and rushing and pledge activities will be eliminated.
Unlike any other college residence, the members of Panarchy are not necessarily tied together by a common interest, like members of the Foley House, who share a love of outdoor activities, Saunders said.
He said the binding factor will instead be the goals outlined in the society's statement of purpose.
In its revamped constitution and new statement of purpose, Panarchy states it will try to "integrate the academic and non-academic areas on campus, ... support and strive for gender equality, understanding, and justice, ... and celebrate unique heritages, traditions and lifestyles," among other goals.
Dean of Students Lee Pelton reiterated the support he gave for the new society when Panarchy first approached him, saying he sees more societies developing in the future "depending on the level of student interest."
"I do believe it is a very viable and worthwhile venture," he said. "I hope other students will see it as an option."
Meetings and programming events organized by the society will be open to the entire campus, but like in Greek houses, first-year students cannot join.
David Cohen '94, a member of Panarchy who was instrumental in the house's change in status, said the College did not want to give an undergraduate society an unfair advantage in recruiting over the Greek houses.
But meetings, which will be held at 10 p.m. Wednesday nights, conflict with those of the Greek houses, and membership in any Greek house violates elements of the statement of purpose, Cohen said.
Students who belong to a single-sex organization inherently violate the goal of the society to achieve gender equality, Cohen said. Members of co-ed houses practice methods, like rush and pledging, which go against Panarchy's quest for "equal treatment of all members regardless of seniority," he said.
Unlike students who join a Greek house, members of Panarchy are only required to sign a membership contract, not go through a pledge or rush process. Students may join at any time during the year.
"We wanted to get out of the Greek system because we were so different in our everyday functions," David Cohen said. He said attending meetings with alcohol advisors and for rush education was pointless for representatives of Panarchy, which has been a dry house since the mid-1980s.
"We wanted something positive to say we were," Saunders said, rather than referring to the house as "non-Greek."
Though Panarchy is the first of society its kind, Keefe said the College is hoping other existing student organizations will follow suit and make the change. She said more undergraduate societies may be founded in the future.
"The College has always been supportive of our desire to leave the Greek System and establish an open social and residential place," Saunders said.
Though the society officially received its status Monday, the final draft of its constitution is currently being reviewed by both ORL and Panarchy and the society will elect officers tonight, Keefe said. Students can join the society immediately, Cohen said.
Members, who receive voting privileges, a place to live and the chance to become officers, must pay $75 social dues and those who live in the house must pay an additional $75 to the society plus their housing fee to ORL.
The first year of operation as an undergraduate society is a sort of trial period, David Cohen said. Keefe said she will sit down with representatives from Panarchy after the first year to jointly evaluate the house's new status and look for ways to improve it.
