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The Order of the Golden Bear was founded in the Spring of 1900. A group of students led by Victor Henderson came up with the idea and assembled the first meeting. They were encouraged by University President Benjamin Ide Wheeler and English Department Chair Professor Charles Mills Gayley. Gayley, who was an enthusiastic supporter of student activities and traditions (he even wrote one of Cal's great spirit songs, "The Golden Bear") later became affectionally known as the Order's "Founder" because of the years he devoted to nurturing and helping the organization.
Wheeler was especially interested in the Order because it created a forum in which the leadership of the student body--which, in 1900, primarily meant senior men--could gather and discuss problems and issues of common interest. One of Wheeler's goals as President was to calm the student misbehavior and destructive interclass rivalries that had been common in the 19th century, and refocus students on the positive goal of supporting what he called "The Greater University". The Order, through its discussions, could be a mechanism for accomplishing this. In the early 20th century when the University was a much smaller place, it was literally possible to gather the key leaders and opinion makers among students--such as the editors of student publications, presidents of the leading living groups, officers of the ASUC, and captains of the major sports teams--in one room with leading administrators, alumni, and faculty to air problems and concerns and share possible solutions.
A Durable Tradition
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Order is one of the oldest active student organizations at Berkeley and one of the few groups substantially unchanged from its original purpose and activities (although the membership now much more broadly reflects the diversity of the student population). The Order was able to persist through challenging eras including the difficult financial times of the Great Depression and the days of student unrest of the 1960s, when interest in "traditional" campus organizations waned and only a handful of students would regularly come to meetings. Today, meetings can draw anywhere from a dozen to fifty or sixty members, depending on the topic.Throughout its early history the Order admitted only senior men--and the occasional male professor, administrator, or alumnus--to membership, or "fellowship". Other student organizations--Winged Helmet, Prytanean, and Mortarboard--accommodated junior men, senior women, and junior women, respectively. In more recent decades the "senior men only" rule has changed and students of both sexes with at least sophomore standing have been eligible for Order membership. The Order's vote to admit women came in the early 70s, in an era when many traditional institutions on campus--including the all-male Cal Band--were ending sexually discriminatory practices.
The Order has never been a "secret" organization in the sense of concealing its membership. From the earliest days the annual membership roster was publicly printed in the campus yearbook, the Blue and Gold. Nomination of prospective new members is done by existing members, and successful candidates are informed after their election to the Order. Membership is for life, and it is not uncommon for older members to return to Order meetings years or decades after graduation. Throughout the 20th century the Order's membership rolls reflected many illustrious names in University history. The organization is particularly proud of the fact that many of its members--such as former University President Robert Gordon Sproul, or former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamera--who later rose to prominence in higher education or state or national affairs, were first elected to the Order when they were Berkeley undergraduates.
Notable Leaders
Victor Henderson, the Order's student founder, later became President Wheeler's secretary and the secretary of the University's Board of Regents. He remained active in the Order and served as its first "Alumni Secretary", essentially a non-student advisor on hand to provide continuity and assist the elected student leadership with the year to year management of the organization. He was succeeded by an illustrious line of other alumni secretaries drawn from the ranks of the University's faculty and staff, including Monroe Deutsch--Professor of Latin, University Vice President and Provost--who is referred to as the Order's "Builder", and later leaders such as Law Professor "Captain" Kidd, Dean of Students Arleigh Williams, and former crew coach and director of student services, Jim Lemmon. Berkeley staff member Lynn Nakada was the first women to serve as Alumni Secretary, beginning in the 1980s.Each year the Order elects a student "Warden" or President, and a number of other student officers. Over the decades many of these individuals have gone on to distinguished careers outside the University. They range from the previously-mentioned Robert McNamera to sports agent Leigh Steinberg to attorney Zoe Baird, who President Clinton originally planned to nominate as the first woman to serve as Attorney General.
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. It is a group that loves the University and its
traditions and is dedicated to ensuring
its continued prosperity far
into the future. The Order serves as a forum for discussion where fellows gather every other week
during the academic year in Senior Hall to exchange
ideas on a variety of topics pertinent to the well being of the campus community.
The realization of this purpose of free exchange of ideas requires educated, controversial, and
provocative discussions.
The Order is not a secret society. However, while we are free to discuss our ideas amongst our fellows, we never attribute opinions or remarks to their authors. To do so would jeopardize the safe haven that allows the Order to be a free exchange of ideas. The Order casts no votes to deternime specific courses of action. It is our belief that fellows will gain a better understanding of the issues discussed and are entrusted to go and act as they see most effective in bettering the University. It is the duty of each of us to serve the University in our own capacity and in the ways that we deem most appropriate.