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Phi Kappa Phi

National Headquarters: phi kappa phi

Purpose

The primary objective of the national Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is the recognition and encouragement of superior scholarship in all academic disciplines. The Society is convinced that in recognizing and honoring those persons of good character who have excelled in scholarship, in whatever field, it will stimulate others to strive for excellence. Moreover, the Society serves the interests of the student capable of excellence by insisting that in order to acquire a chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, an institution provide the means and atmosphere conducive to academic excellence.

Eligibility

The criteria and limits observed in electing persons to membership are determined by each individual chapter, but always within the framework of the Society's Bylaws. The conditions set forth in the Bylaws may be summarized as follows:

• Undergraduate students may be considered who have senior status and are scholastically in the upper 10 percent (or less, if the chapter's bylaws so provide) of their class; or who have reached the final period of their junior year and are scholastically in the upper five percent (or, again, less if the chapter's bylaws so stipulate) of their class. In no case, however, may the total number of undergraduates elected in any one year exceed 10 percent of the candidates for graduation in that year.
• Graduate students may be elected, but their number must not exceed 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees during the year.
• Faculty members and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction may be elected to membership in limited numbers.
• An occasional honorary or distinguished member may be elected by a chapter, with the approval of the Board of Directors

Membership in Phi Kappa Phi

• Admission to the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter in accordance with the bylaws of both the chapter and the national Society. Both require superior scholarship and good character as criteria for membership.
• Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society, not an honorary society or fraternity. Membership is earned; it is a true honor.
• Meeting Phi Kappa Phi's criteria signifies excellence which, in turn, signifies distinction.
• Because of their outstanding records, members of Phi Kappa Phi often are preferred candidates for grants, scholarships and fellowships from institutions where they may continue their education or do research. When they seek jobs, they find their Phi Kappa Phi membership is widely accepted as an indicator of academic ability and motivation.
• Phi Kappa Phi, being interdisciplinary and thus drawing membership from all colleges, divisions, or departments within the academic institution, is a unifying force in education today. It is in a unique position to cultivate consciousness of relationships by bringing together individuals from a variety of disciplines. It promotes the intellectual life of the community.
• The academic variety within the Society's membership acquaints initiates with many options if they are in the process of trying to decide upon a career.
• Members are eligible for Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships.
• Active members receive National Forum: The Phi Kappa Phi Journal enabling them to keep abreast of significant cultural, social and scientific issues.
• Active members receive the Newsletter, enabling them to share in the national activities and programs of the Society and of its members.
• Members of the Society can participate in activities sponsored by local chapters.
• Phi Kappa Phi insists upon high quality in the institutions to which it grants chapters, e.g., strong faculties and ample libraries. It thus fulfills an obligation to assure its initiates that they are coming into a truly significant organization.
• Phi Kappa Phi provides for the association of kindred spirits—kindred in the sense of having integrity of character and the highest ideals, as well as an abiding love of learning.

Meetings and Activities

The Society is governed ultimately by the Triennial Convention, supplemented by any interim-though rare-special conventions deemed necessary. Each chapter may send one official delegate to a convention. Between conventions, the business of the Society is conducted by the Board of Directors, composed of 12 directors, of whom nine are elective (president, president-elect, a national vice president, five regional vice presidents, and the immediate past president) and three are appointive (executive director of the Society, regent and director of fellowships). The executive director is in charge of the Society's national office.

Every chapter must hold at least two meetings a year and is encouraged to be active in various ways. Many chapters cite students for excellence as early as the freshman year. Some sponsor an annual Honors Day. Many of them grant awards or give scholarships to students and researchers doing work of scholarly quality. Some also extend recognition to superior teachers. The aim, however, is not to give the recipient something which may encourage complacency, but to challenge the member to continued excellence.

Phi Kappa Phi: Important dates for Spring 2013

The national HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI was founded in 1897 to recognize academic excellence, promote scholarly endeavors, and provide benefits for its members. It is the sole national honor society on the UNR campus that extends invitations to worthy students and that is not field-specific in its focus. Moreover, it remains today the largest and most selective national honor society across all academic disciplines, and its membership includes noteworthy men and women in academia, business, government, and the arts. The UNR Chapter 08 celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 2012 and as it enters its second century, the local chapter has been recognized by the national Phi Kappa Phi Board as a “chapter of excellence.”

To assist students who have received invitations to join Phi Kappa Phi in the Spring of 2013, Chapter 08 provides the following important dates about which the invited students need to know:

1. Informational Session: Tuesday, 12 March, from 3-4PM in the Joe Crowley Student Union 320;this session will provide students with an overview of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, answer any questions invited students may have, and provide some snacks.
2. Deadline for inclusion in the induction ceremony: In order to be inducted at the ceremony (see #3), students must have submitted the completed online invitation form with payment ($60) by Monday, 25 March (www.phikappaphi.org) .
3. Induction Ceremony: Tuesday, 9 April, beginning at 3PM in the Joe Crowley Student Union, 4^th Floor, Ballroom A. This ceremony will be conducted ONLY for those students who have completed the online invitation form and made the requisite payment by the date mentioned above (see #2). Students need to arrive NO LATER than 2:30PM to obtain seating information and programs.
4. Final deadline for online registration: Tuesday, 23 April. After this date the access code will be terminated. ALSO: students who have NOT registered by this date will NOT be allowed to join Phi Kappa Phi in 2013. If their academic endeavors warrant consideration, then they may be invited again to join later, BUT the extending of any future invitation is NOT guaranteed.