"Phalanx is a self-perpetuating, non-secret, Senior organization, formed at the Institute in 1912 for the purpose of fostering and keeping alive Rensselaer spirit and tradition among the student body." Each spring, during a baseball game or track meet, members of the Phalanx "tapped" men to become new members. As "Taps" played, the current members of the society would line up on the '87 field in the ancient Phalanx formation. At this point, a member would outline the history and purposes of the society. The Phalanx men then approached the audience of students to tap the new members. Men were chosen for membership based on participation in student activities and "unselfish interest in the advancement of the school." A maximum of fifteen men could be chosen each year. When the tapping was completed, members and initiates formed the Phalanx and marched from the field. [The Polytechnic, May 23, 1929]