the Phids were hosting women (including at least one member’s wife) and drinking beer with no authorization for a party.
Grismore: “I can’t think you believe it is proper for men, even if they are 30 years old, to take women into their living quarters. I just can’t believe that.”
Hauled before the Committee on Student Discipline, the Phids faced the formidable Grover Cleveland Grismore (JD, 1914), professor of contracts in the Law School. Grismore was clearly in a mood to teach the house a lesson. But Bill Porter, ’49, president of Phid, and Robert Fisher, ’49, the house manager, were unfazed:
Fischer: “Properly chaperoned?” Grismore: “Were they properly chaperoned?”
LEISA THOM PS ON PHOTOGR APHY
Porter: “Yes, sir. If it hadn’t been for the war, most of us would have been practicing for two or three years, had a home by now. [This] was no different than having some couples over to the house for bridge.” Grismore: “You don’t mean to say the fraternity is equivalent to a private home?” Porter: “It is to me. That is our private home.” Grismore: “Now, Mr. Porter, don’t try to tell me that kind of a thing. … Can’t you fellows realize that the reputation of the whole University is jeopardized when you do that kind of a thing? People are bound to see girls going in and out of your house. They know it is a men’s fraternity house. What are they going to think when they see girls coming out of it in the middle of the night? Porter: “What time is ‘middle of the night,’ sir?” The Phids walked away with no more than a warning and minor fines. Women were admitted in the 1970s and soon made up half the membership. Contrary to what Professor Grismore might have predicted, the gates of hell did not open. What the members call “Phid-cest” has occurred, of course, with results ranging from strained relations in the communal kitchen to marriage. As for the actual rate of, shall we say, liaisons, reports vary. “It wasn’t happening as much as you would think,” says MaryAnn Sarosi, ’87, a three-year Phid who would later become the Law School’s assistant dean for public service. “People thought: ‘This may not be the wisest.’”
Porter: “What is the gist of the complaint?” Grismore: “You have violated University regulations.” Porter: “There is no charge of immorality or anything like that?” Grismore: “No—you held a mixed, liquor party.” Porter: “Now, the word ‘liquor’—does that include beer?” Grismore: “Beer is liquor.” Porter: “Not in Kansas. Not in the Army. Maybe here.”
Phids now content themselves with only one big party per semester. Possibly the social whirl has slowed because it takes more energy than it used to just to keep the old house standing. The four old columns had to be replaced with metal sheathed in wood. The pipes are iffy. The porch on the west side had to be rebuilt. Every year brings the renewal of defensive measures against bats escaped from the attic. “It always felt like you were in a fraternity movie, where somebody was constantly going to tear down the house if you couldn’t raise just enough money to keep it going,” says Dan McCarthy, ’07, who put in time as house manager. “It was a matter of trying not to let things totally fall apart on you within the limited budget that you’ve got.” Phid networks survive via phone calls, Facebook, recommendations, and reunions. And Phid friendships last. Barney Eskandari, ’06, lived in the house only one year, but his Phid friends are among his closest. “They’re all great people,” he said. “Most Phid people are. It was probably one of the best places I ever lived.”
Law Quadrangle • Spring 2013
The Phid House today: 502 E. Madison is still home to many a party, such as this gathering on Super Bowl Sunday (above left). But it’s also a place where residents spend a lot of time studying. No, really! (see photo of 3L Alexa Nickow, above). Both activities help residents to form lifelong friendships. The current board is hoping to build on that lasting spirit of friendship by creating an alumni network. If you were a resident of the Phid House, please contact phidboard@umich.edu for more information.
Grismore: “You have served liquor in the house in the shape of beer time and time again?” Porter: “What do you mean ‘served’?” 45