Thetas of the Fifties didn't consider themselves to be part of a "Silent Generation," a term often applied to college students of the time. It was an era of general affluence, security, and clarity of purpose. But the specter of encroaching Communism was evidenced by the McCarthy Hearings and the Korean War. Campuses drew the nation's attention as panty raids and riots erupted, breaking the calm. High scholarship continued to be a goal, and Thetas participated in campus activities like Greek Sings and Homecoming. They were proud when a member was selected to reign as a queen over Homecoming or a special ball. Students danced to slow, romantic music like "Harbor Lights" or jitter-bugged to music like "Rock Around the Clock." Fifties Thetas followed the house rules set down in previous decades, played lots of bridge, and philosophized with sisters long into the night after "closing hours." They wore blouses with Peter Pan collars, jewel-necked sweater sets, and skirts to mid-calf or longer, which swept the tops of bobby sox worn with saddle shoes, penny loafers, or Keds. "Formals" were strapless dresses or cocktail dresses worn with "Merry-widows." On Saturday night dates, they might have appeared in dressy-dresses, wearing high spike heels and mouton fur coats. Added to the Theta rolls were chapters at California-Santa Barbara, San Diego State, Tulsa, Miami (Ohio), Texas Technological, Fresno State, Texas Christian, Auburn, Whitman, Arizona State, and Emory.