 Contrary to popular belief, and despite its location and the fact that 90% of the membership comes from college faculty, staff, and students, the fire department is, in fact, not affiliated with the college.Union-Philanthropic Literary Society (UPLS) is the oldest student organization at Hampden–Sydney College.Established on September 22, 1789, UPLS is the nation's oldest literary and debating society still in existence today without interruption.