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# Jefferson Literary and Debating Society
**The oldest student organization at the University of Virginia**
**ΦΠΘ**
## “The faculties of the mind are excited by collision” – The Society’s Oath
The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society is the oldest student-run organization at the University of Virginia. The Jefferson Society is a club where speech, literature, and topics of interest are discussed in good company and with lively spirit. We believe we learn and grow best when our opinions are challenged in open discussion with members of other ideologies and backgrounds.
Undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of school or study, are invited to join the Society. The Jefferson Society has served as an intellectual home for a future U.S. president, several Senators, a Nobel Laureate, world-famous poets, journalists, and countless more. We gather on Friday nights at 7:29pm in Hotel C, West Range to deliver speeches on our favorite topics, debate pressing matters, discuss literature, and have a good time with friends old and new.
We are a lot more than our Friday meetings. Each semester, you can find us hosting formals, competing in Field Days against other student organizations, grabbing dinner on the Corner, and much more. There are many ways to experience the Society during your time at the University, and we welcome you to interview with us at the beginning of each semester and attend our frequent public events.
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Non-Affiliation Statement
Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.
**A Brief History of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society**
The page presented is by no means extensive. It is intended to provide a high-level overview of the Society’s nearly two-hundred-year history—history that gives us a lot to be proud of, and an equal amount to reflect upon. If interested, we have provided links to some more detailed historical accounts, and we are always open to sharing our story with those curious. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to our Historian, .
**
1825
## Our Founding
Founded on July 14, 1825, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society is the oldest active collegiate debating society in the United States. In protest of the chaotic meetings and open membership policy of the Patrick Henry Society, 16 disillusioned members founded the Jefferson Society. Over the years, the Society has served as a microcosm of the University of Virginia, playing a key role in the University’s social fabric and evolving alongside the University at large.
1860s
## Civil War
As the University saw a dramatic downturn in the student population at the outbreak of the Civil War, the Society’s existence was threatened due to the members’ decision to donate their entire treasury in support of the Confederate cause. However, with the support of a small, committed core of members the Society survived the war and its financial difficulties.
via The Woodrow Wilson Library and Museum
1865-1930s
## Reconstruction, Woodrow Wilson, and the 20th Century
Today, the Society continues to meet in Hotel C, West Range (commonly referred to as Jefferson Hall or the Hall) which has been in its care since 1837. Keeping with its origins as a literary and debating organization, the Society organizes numerous debates, oratory competitions and poetry recitations through the academic year. In addition, it hosts the Wilson and Founder’s Day Banquets, in addition to the annual Restoration Ball which contributes to the unique social life at the University of Virginia.
1960s-1970s
## Integration and Co-education
Like institutions all across the nation, the University began the long overdue processes of integration and coeducation. The Society could not ignore these changes. Despite the protests of a significant portion of the Regular Membership, the Jefferson Society welcomed its first African-American member, Dr. Wesley Harris, and its first female member, Judge Barbara Lynn,  in 1963 and 1972, respectively. Today, you can find their portraits within the Hall.
Judge Barbara Lynn
Dr. Wesley Harris
2020s
## Modern Day
## Historical Archive
Below are links to more detailed accounts of our history. You can visit our full archive .
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**Spring 2024 Executive Committee**
| President | Mr. Emmett O’Brien |
| --- | --- |
| Vice President | Ms. Ryan Rammacher |
| Secretary | Mr. Ryan Shoztic |
| Treasurer | Mr. Sagar Murthy |
| Historian | Mr. Aryaman Singh |
| Room Seven Resident | Ms. Zoë Jenkins |
| Keeper | Ms. Macy Germanis |
| Probationary Chair | Ms. Ella Duus |
| Membership Chair | Ms. Genevieve Forrer |
| Diversity & Inclusion Chair | Ms. Elizabeth Kim |
| Alumni Relations Chair | Ms. Margot Sellgren |
| Debate & Oratory Chair | Ms. Zoe Copetas |
| Pen & Ink Chair | Ms. Isabella Burrell |
| Ways & Means Chair | Ms. Jessica Seng |
| Parliamentarian | Ms. Lauren Bradshaw |
| Sergeant-at-Arms | Ms. Anna Scott |
| Illuminator | Ms. Helen Taylor |
| Scribe | Mr. Jack Wallace |
# Constitution and By-laws
**How to Join**
> **We accept new members to the Society every semester! **
>
> If you have any questions about the membership process, please contact our Membership Chair, Genevieve Forrer.
> **Students of every tenure, background, and ideology are welcomed. The Society does not discriminate in its membership or policies based on age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status.**
#### Important Membership Terms
Probationary Member = a student who is in their first semester of the Society
Regular Member = a student who has successfully completed their Probationary requirements
The first step to joining is learning more about what JeffSoc is! You can do that by:
* Seeing us at the Activities Fair on *Monday, August 26, 2024* (only for Fall Semester)
* Joining our Spring 2025 info sessions Monday 1/20 from 7-8pm and Tuesday 1/21 from 7-8pm
* Checking out our website!
**Attendance at these events will not be tracked and will not impact the results of the interview in any way.** If you are unable to attend or have more questions, please contact our Membership Chair, Genevieve Forrer.
## How to Interview
Interviews are not scheduled in advance. Please come to Jefferson Hall when convenient and you will be assigned the next available panel of Regular Members. Interviews will be conducted at the following times:
* Monday, January 20th: 10AM-7PM
* Tuesday, January 21st: 10AM-7PM
* Wednesday, January 22nd: 10AM-5:30PM
* Thursday, January 23rd: 10AM-6PM
* Friday, January 24th: 10AM-6PM
We highly recommend interviewing as early in the week as possible to minimize waiting times. If you are unable to make the above listed times for any reason at all, please reach out immediately to membership.chair@jeffersonsociety.org to schedule an interview at a time that works best for you.
### What is an interview?
To become a Probationary Member, students must interview with four to five of the Society’s Regular Members. Interviews are:
* 30-45 minutes
* Centered around three topics of your choice
* A conversation that encourages you to defend your positions (make claims! defend them!)
* *The only criteria for becoming a Probationary Member*
### Interview Criteria
* **Passion**: the conversation is lively and generally enjoyable
* **Logical coherence**: the arguments are internally consistent and logically flow together
* **Respectful and friendly attitude**: the interviewee is generally pleasant to talk with
* **Responsiveness and engagement**: the interviewee is willing to wrestle with opposing ideas
* **Knowledge of subject**: the interviewee demonstrates wide-ranging knowledge of their chosen topics
* **Effective speaking style**: the interviewee is articulate and even captivating at times
#### How do I choose my topics?
The interviewee may choose any topic for the interview. There is no set of topics the Society likes to see, and we highly discourage interviewees from trying to pick topics that way. The Society looks for the ability to effectively articulate and defend positions, for deep knowledge, and for intellectual curiosity. Current members have successfully discussed politics, economics, superheroes, sports, pop culture, and literature, among many other topics, in their interviews. Pick topics you are passionate about and knowledgeable of.
**While interviewees typically frame their topics as arguments, discussions are also more than welcome.** The purpose of the interview is to gauge the interviewee’s ability to respond to in-depth questions, demonstrate deep knowledge, and clearly articulate their point. As such, we also recommend that interviewees avoid picking broad topics and instead narrow their focus (Ex: instead of politics narrow the topic down to public school budgets).
### Where is Jefferson Hall?
### Our Open House is on Friday January 24th, 2025. Anyone interested in learning more about the Society is welcome to attend!
* Sippers, our pre-meeting social event, will be held at Room 7, West Lawn around 5:30 PM
* Our Open House Meeting will take place at approximately 7:29 PM at Jefferson Hall
**You will be notified of your interview result on Sunday January 26th, 2025 at 12:00 PM.**
If you do not pass your interview on the first attempt, we welcome you to try again. Many successful Regular Members were offered Probationary Membership after their second or even third interview.
**The Probationary Semester**
In your first semester in the Society, you will be considered a Probationary Member, meaning that you must complete a series of requirements before becoming a fully-fledged Regular Member. Whether it’s meeting new people, engaging with fascinating ideas for the first time, or stepping outside one’s comfort zone and forming lifelong friendships, the Probationary semester is an incredible opportunity to get to know all aspects of the Society. Through attending meetings and completing a variety of Probationary requirements, you will gain a deeper understanding of the functionings, purpose, and values of the Society. Some of the requirements to become a Regular Member include (but are not limited to):
* Presenting a speech, debate, or original literary piece
* Learning about our history
* Attending a Title IX and Anti-Hazing training
* Engaging in a reading club with an author or professor
* Attending debates and our Distinguished Speaker Series
* Getting to know your fellow Probationary and Regular Members
If you would like to learn more about the Probationary semester or feel you may need accommodations to complete your Probationary semester, please contact our Probationary Chair, Ms. Ella Duus, or alternatively, our Membership Chair, Ms. Genevieve Forrer.
# Alumni & Friends
Though you may be far from Jefferson Hall, your thoughtful probationary presentations, fiery debates, emotional duels, and unique traditions continue to have profound impacts. Without the effort of past members, the Society would not be what it is today. As often retold through generations of members, we are a living society. But we hold a debt to our alumni—and other supporters—for what they have handed down to us. And for that, we are grateful.
The Alumni Relations Committee was restarted Fall 2022 to further relations with our alumni. Previously the duty of the Room 7 Resident, the Society believed we could be making a greater effort to strengthen ties with our large network of alumni. Whether it be hosting YAR (Young Alumni Reunion), improving the experience for alumni visiting the Hall, or holding networking events, the Society believes that strong alumni ties result in a better Society.
The Alumni Relations Chair handles all questions and concerns of alumni. To share your information with the Society for networking purposes or to get emails if a fellow alum from your era is speaking, please fill out this . For any questions or concerns, reach out to this semester’s Alumni Relations Chair, Margot Sellgren, at aig.chair@jeffersonsociety.org.
# Contact
## Contact Details
All responses to this form go to the Historian, Mr. Aryaman Singh.  Responses will be reviewed within 48 hours.
Inquiries about reserving the Hall? Please visit jeffersonsociety.org/reserve
Questions about joining the Society? Please contact the Membership Chair Ms. Genevieve Forrer.
Preferred Salutations\*
Name\*
Email\*
Probationary Class
How did you hear about the Society?
Message\*
SEND MESSAGE
# Reserving Jefferson Hall
The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society authorizes all events that take place in Hotel C, West Range, otherwise known as Jefferson Hall. The Hall is a historical building at the center of UVA’s grounds, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the original buildings designed by Thomas Jefferson. It contains portraits of Mr. Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, as well as photos of Edgar Allen Poe and Woodrow Wilson, both officers of the Jefferson Society during their time at UVA. The history, location, and architecture of the Hall make it an ideal location for meetings, presentations, and other professional events.
Those interested in reserving the Hall can do so by emailing the Society’s Room 7 Resident, Ms. Zoë Jenkins, at room.seven.resident@jeffersonsociety.org and uploading a signed copy of the  to . We ask that all reservation requests include the name of the organization or individual seeking to reserve the space, the purpose of the reservation, and the preferred date(s) and time(s). Upon emailing, please allow up to 48 hours for a response.
## Important Notes
* If you wish to serve alcohol and anyone in attendance will be under the age of 21, the . Ms. Jenkins can help coordinate communication between individuals/organizations and the VPSA.
* Reservations will open for the Fall semester on June 1 and for the Spring semester and Summer on November 1 of any given year.
## Image Gallery
!!!!!
## Directions
## Payment Details
Usage fees must be paid (via cash or check) to the Room 7 Resident and the contract (available in ) signed before the time of the reservation. By signing the contract, individuals and organizations agree to uphold the terms and conditions of renting Jefferson Hall. Those who do not uphold the terms of the agreement may be subject to a fine or other disciplinary action. These terms and conditions are subject to change at the discretion of the Room 7 Resident.
Checks are payable to the Jefferson Society. Please send or drop off to:
Maddie Stokes
Room 7 West Lawn
Charlottesville, VA 22903
**Our Meetings**
The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society meets every Friday at 7:29 PM, and our meetings are generally open to the public. Often, at the beginning of our meetings, we host a guest speaker as a part of our Distinguished Speaker Series. Past speakers presented on themes as diverse as the history of homebrew beers to foreign policy; with each week comes a new, fascinating expert from a litany of fields. Hang around afterwards for our members’ content in the forms of debates, speeches, and readings of poetry or prose. We look forward to seeing you!
**Our Open House meeting is Friday, January 26th****, 2023 at 7:29 PM at Hotel C, West Range.**
# Debate & Oratory
The Debate and Oratory Committee sponsors several debates each semester. Postings for these events can be found on .
These debates range in topic and can be Humorous or Serious topics of contention. Inter-societal debates have recently included debaters from the United States Military Academy, Georgetown, and the University of Georgia.
# Pen & Ink
The promotion of literature is fundamental to the very name of our society. The Pen & Ink Committee works to accomplish this by encouraging the presentation of literary content during Society meetings and by hosting recitation competitions throughout the year. In the Fall, the Poe Contest features readings of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, a former Secretary of the Society, while in the Spring the committee hosts two poetry recitation competitions: Jefferslam and the McNamara Memorial Recitation Competition.
Outside of meetings, the committee hosts FaculTea, an event designed to promote conversation between students and professors. Held within Jefferson Hall, FaculTea allows for Regular and Probationary Members to socialize with faculty over drinks and pastries and pursue conversations that may not otherwise occur in the classroom setting.
Additionally, each Spring, the Pen & Ink Committee publishes the Jefferson Journal, a collection of original creative works by Society members.
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FaculTea FaculTea for the Spring 2024 Semester will be hosted on Thursday, March…
The 61st annual Restoration Ball, sponsored by the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society,…
Founder’s Day is the Society’s annual spring banquet to celebrate Thomas Jefferson’s birthday,…
Wilson Day is the Society’s annual fall banquet to discuss the life and…