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BKX CHAPTER REGIONS

CENTRAL REGION

KY:     Kentucky State University
MO:     Lincoln University
OH:     Central State University
TN:      Fisk University, Knoxville College, Lane College, Tennessee State University
WV:    Bluefield State College, West Virginia State University

EASTERN REGION

DC:     Howard University, University of the District of Columbia, Trinity College
MD:     Coppin State College, Morgan State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
PA:      Cheyney State University, Lincoln University, Alvernia University
VA:     Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University
DE:      Delaware State University

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

AL:      Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, Miles College, Stillman College, Talladega University, Tuskegee University,
LA:      Dillard University, Grambling State University, Southern University - Baton Rouge, Southern University - New Orleans
MS:     Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Tougaloo College

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

FL:      Florida A & M University, Bethune Cookman College, Florida Memorial University
GA:     Albany State University, Atlanta University Center, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse, Savannah State University, Spelman College
NC:     Bennett College, Fayetteville State University, John C. Smith University, Livingstone College, NCA & T State University, NC Central University, Shaw University, St. Augustine University, Winston-Salem State University
SC:      Benedict College, South Carolina State University

SOUTHWESTERN REGION

AR:     University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Philander Smith University
OK:     Langston University
TX:      Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian College, Paul Quinn College, Prairie View A & M University, Texas College, Texas Southern University, Wiley College

HOST CHAPTER GUIDELINES for the ANNUAL MEETING OF BETA KAPPA CHI

At the joint meeting of BKX and NIS, the host chapter is responsible for the following items:

1. Arrange and have a planning meeting with the executive secretary in charge at least six months prior to the meeting. (Mid September-Early October). The expenses for such a meeting are to be covered by the host chapter as they see fit except those involving the executive secretary, which are covered by the organization that the executive secretary represents.
2. Arrange and secure housing and suggested eating accomodations for those attending the meeting.
   1. If hotels or motels are used, see that reservation forms are sent to the two executive secretaries at least three months prior to the initial date of the meeting.
   2. Secure a room for the executive secretaries. (This may be covered by gratuity but, if not, the expenses for such location should be covered by registration fees.)
3. Secure room accomodations for the following:
   1. Meeting sessions, registration, and exhibits.
   2. Office location for executive secretaries (only one is needed and can be shared by the two).
4. Plan the program and location of the opening general session.
5. All financial arrangements for the banquet, but not the program.
   1. Determine banquet cost early enough in advance to determine and release individual fees. (Suggested time, no later than December.)
   2. Send to executive secretaries the individual banquet fee no later than December, so that information can be disseminated.
6. If tour is arranged, arrangements are made by chapter but financing for tour is covered by persons making the tour unless the host chapter can arrange otherwise. (Tours are not recommended now and under no circumstances are registration fees to cover them.)
7. Secure assistants (may be students or faculty)
   1. As monitors for sessions to admit only registered persons. (All sessions are closed except for the general meetings.)
   2. Typists for reports, and aid to executive secretaries (two may be sufficient.)
   3. Persons to operate audio-visual machines during section meetings.
   4. Registrars.
8. Secure audio-visual machines, screens, and typewriter.
   1. Audio-visual machines and screens for section meetings (Projectors: overhead, 2X2.)
   2. Typewriter available for reports and use of executive secretaries.
9. If meetings require transportation, arrangement for transportation should be made. (Finance for such transportation is to be covered by registration fee.)
10. Submit a complete list of all local committees and appointees of each, including chairmen, to executive secretary in charge by December 15.
11. Provide a kit or packet - brochures, local information or any courtesies.
12. Secure and make contacts for available exhibits.

The Host Chapter is not responsible for:

1. Printing of the programs.

 

The primary function of BKX - the essential reason for its existence is the promotion of high scholarship in pure and applied sciences. Whatever the Society does on both the local and national levels has as its ultimate purpose the stimulation and motivation of intellectual growth and the nurturing of qualities for leadership in the pursuit of scientific advancement.

To best implement these objectives, the chapters must submit to a thorough appraisal and revision of their programs of activities. Information gained from the Beta Kappa Chi Bulletin, regional and national meetings, and chapter experiences, indicates that the Society is beset with problems which prevent healthy pains of normal growth. The purpose of this particular section of the Handbook is to point up some of the major problems of chapter activities and to suggest remedial measures possible of attainment with even limited resources.

The apparent lack of sufficient student members to carry out a worthwhile program seems to be the greatest problem. The question is therefore frequently asked, could not the qualitative and quantitative requirements for membership be reduced? Obviously the answer is, no - certainly from a qualitative point of view. The student members, however few, with the able assistance of the science faculty can carry out, on a comparable scale, a program of activities that will be outstanding and rewarding. Limited numbers of high caliber students should never be a deterrent to an excellent program of activities. Rather, it could mean more team work, less waste of talent in secondary actions, and a finer product in the end. College and university enrollments are increasing, emphasis on science is being accelerated, and the facilities for the study of science are expanding. It appears, therefore, that the number one problem could be solved by time alone, but the Society must face it now.

A problem of equal importance is the lack of well qualified faculty sponsors. This problem is one of long standing. A sponsor must not only direct and supervise the local activities of the chapter, but also correlate the total program with that of the national organization. It is not an exaggeration to assert that the chapter sponsors are the most vital persons behind the BKX movement. Ordinarily their positions are stable, their foresight far reaching and their rich background of science sufficient to equip them to implement the purpose of the Society. Even though the national constitution does not stipulate the scope of the activities of the sponsor, it is recognized that the general demands upon the sponsors time and service are considerable and should be thoughtfully assumed.

Some colleges are top-heavy with extra-curricular activities. Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Society need not be considered as extra-curricular. Except for initiations and the insignificant amount of time required to conduct business, the activities might well be shared with other students in the science area or they might be a part of the honors courses that are being inaugurated by many colleges and universities. In other words, the allotment of time for a single campus organization should not have the quality of overlapping but rather that of correlation or integration - whichever best suits the local situation: Such activities as original investigation and research projects in general are cases in point.

The problem of money is mentioned occasionally. It is well known that initiation fees for BKX represent only a small fraction of those for any social Greek-letter organization. These fees need not exceed ten dollars ($10.00) - which could not be considered prohibitive. Students of BKX caliber could devise ways and means of solving this problem. Banquets, parties and similar social functions are not necessary. Faculty and staff members everywhere are liberal in aiding worthy students in achieving goals indicative of high scholarship.

Even though there is no regulation regarding BKX members whose cumulative average falls below "B;' the awareness of such a possibility should not be overlooked. The same procedures used to improve the scholarship of students who aspire to membership in BKX should be stressed in chapters. Providing tutorial services for potential members would have the effect of reducing the number one chapter problem: too few students qualify for membership. At the same time, this much needed activity dramatizes the purpose of BKX.

Beta Kappa Chi, both through its local chapters and the National officers, structures its programs to include:

1. The search for; identification, encouragement, and recognition of students with potential in science,
2. The recognition of scientists who are making outstanding contributions in scientific research and/or the teaching of science,
3. The development of programs which have high scholarship, and excellence as their central theme,
4. The encouragement of basic research and outstanding teaching,
5. The activities designed to contribute to public awareness, understanding, and the appreciation of the vital roles of science, and scientists in the "Age of Science"
6. The regular dissemination of scientific information,
7. The support of and loyalty to National Programs of the Society, and
8. The securing of capable, dedicated leaders on all levels.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR CHAPTER PROGRAMS

Many of these activities are incorporated successfully in chapter programs throughout the BKX membership.

1. Public Induction Program (Fall and/or Spring)
   Such a program provides an effective means of acquainting the students, teachers, and community with the history and objectives of BKX.
2. Initiation Program and Banquet (Fall and/or Spring)
   This activity follows the public induction program. It is necessary in order toadminister the ritual. In addition, each inductee might present a research paper in his major field. Some chapters have a banquet speaker. An informal social period could be substituted for a banquet.
3. Science Day (or Science Emphasis Week) Concluded with a Convocation Program.
   The choice of activity would obviously depend upon the science offerings and the resources of the institution.
4. Research Projects (Student, Student-Faculty, and Faculty)
   All participants need not necessarily be BKX members, but the Society could employ the various media available to publicize the activity.
5. Intercollegiate Science Competition Teams
   This type of communication in the science area is new and has the possibility of stimulating and motivating scientific research in general. The method of conducting the competitions could be agreed upon by the participating chapters.
6. Science Lecture Series
   This activity is necessary in those institutions whose limited budget cannot finance such a program. The BKX Chapter can recruit lecturers from BKX alumni and other qualified local persons.
7. Science Seminars
   Each science department could be responsible for one or more of the seminar programs to which all interested persons would be invited.
8. Sponsor (or Co-Sponsor) Science Fairs or a Science Institute on the High School or Collegiate Level.
   This would be relative to those school systems that do not have such an activity. Even so, occasionally BKX chapters could participate in setting up exhibits and providing prizes or other types of recognition.
9. Field Trips and Excursions
   The sponsorship and extensive planning which are necessary can be provided for by the BKX Chapter. All participants need not be BKX members.
10. Exhibit Films and Film Strips (or Other Audio Visual Materials)
    This might be a part of a larger program as the science seminars, lecture series, science day, etc. Frequently, these materials are available free of charge.
11. Surveys for Publication Purposes or Otherwise
    This could be an individual or a group project. The statistical treatment of such a project should be of particular interest to mathematics BKX members.
12. Science Panels
    A chapter with limited resources could make effective use of this type of activity either on the campus or in the community.
13. Participation in a Joint Honors Day Program on the Campus (or Any Established Program of This Type)
    If this is not already an established activity on the campus it is an excellent one to sponsor.
14. Science Information Service
    The established programs of the various science foundations, as the National Science Foundation; available scholarships and fellowships; employment in schools, college, government service, business and industry, for example, should be made available to interested students and teachers through effective media. Careers in science and mathematics should be included. This activity in no way interferes with the institution's guidance services.
15. Exchange Programs (Intercollegiate or High School)
    An excellent way to stimulate and motivate interests in scientific careers.
16. Television Programs Which Chapters Present or Utilize from Other Sources
    Chapter participation is probably limited but viewing and reporting many of the excellent televised science programs is particularly valuable for small institutions and for the communities in which they are located.
17. Chapter Meetings Devoted to Business, a Study of the Constitution and Organizational Structure of BKX, and Program Planning
    The needs for sending delegates to regional and national meetings, for example, originates in chapters that embrace the total program of BKX. These activities, therefore, are indispensable for implementing the national program.
18. Sponsor Student Affiliate Groups of Well-Known National Scientific Organizations
    If the institution is eligible, BKX could assume the initiative in getting these organizations established on the campus.
19. Cooperate with Other Honor Societies for the Improvement of Scholarship
    A tutorial system is an excellent cooperative continuing plan; also special programs for the recognition of scholarship.
20. Recruitment of Inactive Members
    Usually inactive members are graduates. Since reinstatement fees and dues are not required by the national office, the purpose of recruitment is based on the need for talent.
21. Campus-Wide Search for New Members
    Too often potential members are not well informed about the requirements for membership in BKX.
22. Sponsor Activities (Social and Academic) for Honor Students in Science and Mathematics
    The reference is to honor students who do not have the required number of hours in a science for membership in BKX. Such potential should be encouraged by various means.
23. Encourage Participation in National and State Scientific Organizations
    The emphasis is participation in these organizations if chapters of these organizations are on campus. Many good students never quite make BKX, yet they constitute some of our best leaders in the sciences.
24. Science Open House in the Spring
    Any BKX Chapter, as a result. of cooperative activities with the departments of science and mathematics, could sponsor open house at the end of the school term. Commercial exhibits, films, and other materials will add interest.
25. Awarding Citations, Plaques, Etc., for Outstanding Achievement in the Science Recognized by BKX.
    This could be done as a part of the science convocation, the public induction program, or any appropriate occasion.
26. Give Wide Publicity to Chapter Activities in the Daily and Weekly Press, the BKX Bulletin, and Other Means of Communication
    It is not only a part of the public relations program of the institution but also a means of stimulating scholarship and an interest in science. Pictures of outstanding events, including the initiation, should be included in the institution's yearbook and the BKX Bulletin, among others.

INSTITUTIONAL APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR BETA KAPPA CHI CHAPTERS

1. The President or Chief Academic Officer of your institution should write directly to the Office of the Executive Secretary indicating the. desirability of a Beta Kappa Chi Chapter on your campus. Such a letter will serve as an official application.
2. Upon receipt of this communication, a representative from the Society will be designated for a site visit to evaluate the interest of science students and faculty, and to determine the potential for an active participation in the program of the Society. The report of our representative will be included for review by the Executive Council.
3. Under normal circumstances, the Council will meet once per year (at the time of the annual convention) to review applications. The applicant's institution will be notified of the Council's action.