Why do secret societies thrive at certain Universities but fail to ever touch others?

This isn't necessarily a question that I believe has a distinct answer; however, secret societies are something that I have always been interested in, particularly collegiate ones. So I guess my questions to ponder is, why do some schools have heavy concentrations of secret societies (not fraternities, but "secretive" societies). My initial response would be to say because the unvirsities that have the majority of secret societies are made of bolder, independent, and more creative minds like the ivy league schools. However, upon learning more and more about collegiate secret societies, I have found that the ivy leagues have their share of secret societies, but in no way are they exclusive to these schools. I am intrigued at how many secret societies came out of UVA, as well as other southern schools. Just wondering what everyones take is on it, not making any claims or judgments. By the way, looking for more information on the purple shadows and 7 society at UVA, came across some letters/documents, U2U me if you can help.

what secret societies are you talking about? Are you refering to the greek frats?

Secret Societies and just like greek-letter fraternities. They both keep their meetings and sometimes membership a secret. It is true that not all schools have them but many do. It is all up the the college adminstration as to if these group are allowed on campus or not.

However many are very old and are on wonderful terms with each school.

boatphone, i'm gonna have to disagree with pretty much everything you just said. Secret Societies are not just like greek letter fraternities. They are founded on different principals and for different reasons for the most part. Many secret societies at universities are essentially literary societies, or at least that is how they were formed. They also differ from greek letter societies in that their meeting ARE secret (location, time, agenda etc.), while a fraternities are most likely not so secret (granted most frats, including mine, have a secret chapter room, but almost any greek frat holds chapter on sunday evening). Also, secret sociities DO keep membership secret, as opposed to any Greek-Letter organization that is recognized by their respective university, who undoubtedly have to turn over the names and information of their brothers to the school administration to have on file (mostly for safety issues, such as if a girl is raped at a party or a law suit is taken against the frat, then all the members are on paper). While the one thing I do agree with is that some schools are on good terms with some of their more notable secret societies (i.e. UVA's Purple Shadows, P.U.M.P.K.I.N., and the 7 society); I completely disagree with your claim that it is up to the college administration as to whether these groups are allowed to exist. While a college can choose as to whether a fraternity or secret society is recognized, it has no merit in deciding whether they exist. A great number of secret societies formed either because of a faculty opposition to greek letter societies are to discuss literary topics forbidden by the university (all of this took place a while ago, 1800s...)