History:

The Society of Janus was founded in 1959. The charter members chose Janus as their name because of its Roman meaning, the god of doorways and public gates. All Janus members demonstrate outstanding service, leading others through the doorways and gates of selfless service to the University's residence hall community.

During 1964, the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) established the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) in order to recognize outstanding leaders living in residence halls. NRHH functions as a national recognition branch of NACURH that restricts membership to the top 1% of students living in residence halls at a university.

With the establishment of NRHH, the Society of Janus was incorporated into the national structure while still preserving the chapter identity. Today there are over 180 chapters across North America. The Society of Janus is one of five honorary societies open to students at the University, and is the sole honorary for outstanding leaders serving the residence hall community at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Colors:

The colors of NRHH are blue and white. The blue symbolizes loyalty: loyalty to purpose and idea. The white signifies a blank page: a page on which a student writes the successes and experiences that fill their days in the residence halls.

Symbol:

The symbol of NRHH is that of a diamond surrounding the letters of the organization, and the three interconnecting lines, the chain of leadership. The diamond, the world's most precious gem, signifies the value and beauty one finds in the residence hall experience.

The first link of the chain represents caring. Leaders are people who care. They are concerned about themselves and others, and are committed to making things better.

The second link signifies dedication. Part of a leader's commitment is the dedication to cause which they display. Dedication is an important part of the involvement required to be truly effective.

The third link represents participation. True leaders participate fully in their academic pursuits, their friendships, their activities, and their lives. Leaders don't sit on the sidelines , but are a competent team of players.

Together the unbroken chain symbolizes the membership of NRHH. As leaders we are interconnected as caring and dedicated participants in the community of the University.

Constitution