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History     Top

Computing Sciences is a relatively young discipline. Yet despite its comparative youth, Computing Science has had an unparalleled effect on almost every aspect of contemporary life. Indeed it is difficult to predict the ultimate place of the computer in our world. It is the express purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon to promote the Computing Sciences and to encourage its contribution to the enhancement of knowledge.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) was first organized at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, in 1967. The international organization now consists of chapters in various colleges and universities in North America and overseas.

Guidelines and Goals

Upsilon Pi Epsilon is an honorary society whose membership consists of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in Computing and Information Disciplines. Only schools that offer a degree in a computing science-related discipline may be chartered. Likewise, prospective student members must be working toward a degree in Computing and Information Disciplines at the time they are considered for membership. Yet members are chosen not only for their scholastic achievement in a computing science program, but also for distinguishing themselves as true professionals by meeting the standards of the society. Membership is limited to those who can effectively achieve the original goals of the society. These goals include:

  1. The recognition of outstanding talent in the field of computing science,
  2. The promotion of high scholarship in computing science,
  3. The establishment and maintenance of high standards in computing science,
  4. The representation of computing science in interdisciplinary communications, and
  5. The encouragement of individual contributions to society through computing science.

Endorsements and Affiliation

Upsilon Pi Epsilon is the first and only, existing international honor society in the Computing and Information Disciplines. It has received endorsements from the two largest computer organizations in the world, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS).

UPE is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).

Upsilon Pi Epsilon


Industry Support and the Primary Activities of UPE

UPE receives extensive support from Microsoft Corporation and IBM Corporation. Funds received from these two corporations are used to fund the UPE scholarship awards. UPE expects awards up to 20 $1,000 scholarship awards to active UPE members. Scholarship applications are due in June and awards are announced the following September.

UPE is an active supporter of the ACM ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest). Various UPE chapters provide support at local and regional programming contests. The Executive Council of UPE provides support at the ACM ICPC World Finals by serving as support staff for the contest. In addition, UPE presents $200 cash awards to each team at the World Finals (Each team from an institution with an active UPE chapter receives an additional cash award of $300).




Constitution     Top

Constitution of the

Alpha Chapter of the

Upsilon Pi Epsilon Association

An Honor Society in the Computer Sciences


Article I: Name and Purpose

SECTION 1. The name of this nonprofit corporation shall be the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Association, hereafter referred to as the "Association."

SECTION 2. The object of this Association shall be the promotion of high scholarship and original investigation in the several branches of the Computing Sciences.

SECTION 3. The mission of this Association shall be to bring together outstanding students, faculty, and industry representatives in order to effectively and positively influence the Computer Sciences.


Article II: Scope of the By-Laws

SECTION 1. These By-Laws shall govern the conduct of the Chapter in those matters not specifically treated in the Constitution.

SECTION 2. Provisions of these By-Laws shall be subordinate to those of the Constitution.


Article III: Election of Officers

SECTION 1. The officers of this association must meet the following requirements:
     a. Have a minimum grad point ratio (GPR) as stated below and meet that minimum GPR in the semester immediately prior to the
         election/appointment, the semester of election/appointment and semesters during the term of office.
         1) For undergraduate students, the minimum GPR is 2.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least six hour (half-time credits) must
              have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to this
              provision. In order for summer course work to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least six credit
              hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s).
         2) For graduate level students the minimum GPR is a 3.00. In order for this provision to be met, at least four hours (half-time credits)
              must have been taken for the semester under consideration. In one limited circumstance, summer semester hours may be applied to
              this provision. In order for summer coursework to qualify toward a grade point ratio prior to election/appointment, at least four
              credit hours must have been taken during the course of either the full or two summer session(s) unless fewer credits are required
              as they complete the final stage of their degree.
     b. Be in good standing with the university and enrolled:
              1) At least half time (six or more credit hours), if an undergraduate student (unless fewer credits are required to graduate in the spring
                   and fall semesters) during the term of office, and
              2) At least half time (four or more credits), if a graduate level student (unless fewer credits are required in the final stages of their
                   degree as defined by the Continuous Registration Requirement) during their term of office.
     c. Be ineligible to hold an office should the student fail to maintain the requirements as prescribed in (a) and (b).

SECTION 2. The officers of the Chapter shall be elected at the last business meeting of the Spring semester of the school year. If there are not enough candidates to fill all the positions, the rest shall be elected at the first new member meeting of the Fall semester. If a vacancy occurs at the end of the Fall semester, this position will be filled by an election at the last business meeting of the Fall semester.

SECTION 3. Installation of officers shall take place immediately following their election.

SECTION 4. The newly elected officers shall assume their duties upon installation.

SECTION 5. In order to be eligible to hold office, the President must have been a distinguished member in the Chapter for at least one semester.

SECTION 6. The officers of this Chapter shall be elected by secret ballot.

SECTION 7. There shall be no voting of proxies allowed.

SECTION 8. Additional elected positions may be added by the President, with approval of the Executive Council.


Article IV: Advisor

SECTION 1. The Faculty Advisor shall be selected from the Computer Science faculty.

SECTION 2. The advisor must be willing to obtain an appropriate level of experience, resource information and knowledge related to the mission, purpose and activities of this association.

SECTION 3. The advisor will assist the association with event planning and facilitation. When necessary, the advisor should be willing to attend events as identified through the planning process.

SECTION 4. The advisor must be aware of the University Student Rules and will assist the association with adherence to these expectations.


Article V: Meetings

SECTION 1. Regular meetings shall be held twice a month. The Executive Council shall meet additionally at least twice a semester.

SECTION 2. Special meeting may be called by the President, the majority of the Executive Council, or by petition of one-half the membership of the Chapter.

SECTION 3. A specific quorum is not needed. Votes may be taken at any regular meeting.

SECTION 4. An executive business meeting is called by the president, or by the majority of the Executive Council to perform routine duties of the chapter.

SECTION 5. Notification of the meetings will be sent by e-mail by the Publicity chairman at least 1 week in advance.

SECTION 6. The order of conduct of a regular meeting shall be as follows: a. Call to order b. Presidential Report c. Introduction of honorary guest d. Program or technical session (optional) e. Recognition of Distinguished Members f. Adjournment

SECTION 7. Initiation of new Members may be conducted at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for the purpose.

Article VI: Duties of the Officers


SECTION 1. All elected officers of the Executive Council are expected to attend all general meetings and all meetings specifically called for the Council.

SECTION 2. Duties of the President. In addition to those duties outlined in Article V, paragraph 2 of the Constitution, the duties shall be: a. to preside over meetings, b. to call meetings of the membership of the chapter, c. to call meetings of the Executive Council, d. to oversee all activities of UPE, to include the amendment process of the Constitution and By-Laws for the chapter, e. to represent UPE in University activities, and f. to represent the Alpha Chapter of UPE to the National Association

SECTION 3. Duties of the Vice President of Programs. The duties shall be: a. to provide refreshments at all meetings, b. to oversee the computer helpdesk, and c. to assist the Vice President of Relations with the organization of the Spring Banquet.

SECTION 4. Duties of the Vice President of Membership. The duties shall be: a. to keep minutes of the meetings, b. to correspond with the National Association, c. to keep (and update) the membership log containing the names, addresses, e-mail, and phone numbers for all members, and d. to accept membership dues.

SECTION 5. Duties of the Vice President of Relations. The duties shall be: a. to act as a liaison between UPE, corporations, and the Computer Science faculty, b. to pursue funding for activities, c. to schedule speakers for general meetings, and d. to organize the Computer Science Spring Banquet.

SECTION 6. Duties of the Treasurer. In addition to those duties outlined in Article V, paragraph 7 of the Constitution, the duties shall be: a. to oversee the handling of monies for the chapter, b. to inform the membership of the status of the chapter accounts, c. to work with the Executive Council in establishing a budget for the activities of the chapter each semester, and d. to obtain and update association recognition from Texas A&M Student Activities every semester.

SECTION 7. Duties of the Publicity Chair. The duties shall be: a. to maintain the web site, b. to notify all members of all meetings held, and c. to update the resume bank. d. to organize the activities of the contest committee.

SECTION 8. Duties of the SEC Representative. The duties shall be: a. to attend all meetings of the Student Engineer's Council (SEC), and b. to report to UPE the proceedings of the SEC.

SECTION 9. Removal of Officers. An officer may be removed for the following reasons:
     a. Failure to pay dues.
     b. Insufficient GPA.
     c. Any other action considered detrimental to the well being of UPE.
If an officer does not meet the above requirements, it is the burden of the other officers to continue the removal process and notify the offending officer. The Officer will be granted an opportunity to share his/her perspective. Following this opportunity, the member may be removed by a majority vote of the Officers.


Article VII: Finances

SECTION 1. The minimum cash balance at the end of each school year shall be fifty dollars. Any deficiency from this amount shall be made up by an assessment of the Members.

SECTION 2. Members will pay dues of $60 their initial semester of membership, and $5 dues for every semester that follows. Members may be exempt from paying their semester dues if they are not register with the University during that semester. Members who do not pay their semester dues will not be considered active members. To become active again, members must pay their back dues. Back dues are the total of $5/semester that were not paid during past semesters by a member.
SECTION 3. Transfer student who was already a member of UPE shall pay $15 local chapter due before his/her initiation to local chapter.

SECTION 4. Effective for all members joining the association fall 2001 and thereafter: National certificates will be ordered for all the chapter members upon their graduation. Members who joined before fall 2001 are subject to the policies that were effective when they joined.

SECTION 5. Each initiate shall be required to pay all dues prior to his initiation.

SECTION 6. The Treasurer shall make a report to the Executive council at the beginning of each semester and when requested thereafter.

SECTION 7. Special assessments may be made once a year with a maximum amount of $20/member, upon approval by three-fourths of the Members of the Chapter in attendance when the vote is taken. All members must comply with the approved decision. Members who fail to comply by the agreed on deadline may lose their membership. A member may file an exemption request, which will be subject to the advisor’s approval.

SECTION 8. All monies belonging to this association shall be deposited and disbursed through a bank account established for this association at the Student Organization Finance Center and /or the Fiscal office. All funds must be deposited within 24 hours after collection. The advisor to this association must approve and sign each expenditure before payment.


Article VIII: Initiation

SECTION 1. The initiation of a new member shall be held upon reaching the requirements of a member at the end of each semester.

SECTION 2. The initiation shall specifically avoid any practice which conflicts with Texas A&M University regulations or which constitutes an attack upon the personal dignity of the initiates. The activities shall be devised to stimulate the candidates' interest in Computer Science and to acquaint them better with the Members of the Chapter.


Article IX: Admission of Members

SECTION 1. There shall be two admissions of new Members each year.

SECTION 2. The Executive Council shall prepare a list of all eligible candidates for regular membership. Candidates must have an overall GPR of 3.5 (rounded) for Juniors (60+ hours) and 3.25 for Seniors (95+ hours). Graduate students must have a 3.5 GPR to gain membership.

SECTION 3. Those candidates from the list prepared by the Executive council, and then approved by the Faculty Advisor, shall be eligible for membership.

SECTION 4. The names of those candidates shall be given to the Vice President of Membership, who shall notify the candidates in writing that they are eligible to become members of the Association, and of this Chapter. He shall further notify them where and when to appear for initiation, and that initial fees are payable prior to initiation.

SECTION 5. Failure of a person eligible for membership to pay his initial fee of fifty dollars within the time allotted shall constitute notice of refusal.

SECTION 6. Current members must maintain an overall GPR of 3.5 (rounded) for Juniors and Graduate Students and 3.25 for Seniors to maintain their distinguished membership in the chapter. Failure to do so will result in loss of distinguished membership until GPR requirements are once again met.

SECTION 7. Student who meets GPA requirement but does not yet meet credit hour requirement, that was eligible for membership at time of graduation of their previous degree, should be considered eligible for membership. (This decision is made by local chapter based on ARTICLE X SECTION 5 of national UPE constitution)


Article X: Duties of Members

SECTION 1. Each scheduled event will be appointed a merit credit. Members will receive credit for each event they participate in.

SECTION 2. To become a distinguished member, a member must have two-thirds of all credits available the first semester.

SECTION 3. All credits will be specified at the beginning of each semester, subject to change

SECTION 4. Members who do not gain necessary credits to become a distinguished member may participate again the next semester.

SECTION 5. Current distinguished members must have one-third of all credits available per semester to remain distinguished members.

SECTION 6. As a symbol of the association appreciation and recognition of its distinguished members, the association shall order the honor cords for all members who maintain their distinguished membership upon their graduation.

SECTION 7. In order to assist members in their search for employment, each member must have a résumé accessible through the UPE web page. The résumé should be in both HTML and PostScript formats.

SECTION 8. In order to maintain the membership, member must maintain a GPR of 2.0 or above until date of graduation. Fail to do so will cause immediate removal of membership.

SECTION 9. Removal of Members. A member may be removed for the following reasons:
     d. Failure to pay dues.
     e. Insufficient GPA.
     f. Any other action considered detrimental to the well being of UPE.

If a member does not meet the above requirements, it is the burden of the officers to continue the removal process and notify the offending member. The member will be granted an opportunity to share his/her perspective. Following this opportunity, the member may be removed by a majority vote of the officers.


Article XI: Adoption and Amendment

SECTION 1. These By-Laws shall become effective immediately upon adoption.

SECTION 2. These By-Laws shall remain in effect until revised or amended.

SECTION 3. A proposed amendment to these By-Laws must have a reading, with a provision for discussion, prior to voting thereon.

SECTION 4. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the Members present shall be required for the adoption of an amendment to these By-Laws.

SECTION 5. These By-Laws shall be kept current by pen-and-ink correction and insertion of supplementary sheets when such is necessary.

SECTION 6. The constitution is reviewed annually by a representative of the Department of Student Activities and is subject to the approval of the department of Student Activities.


Last revised January 29, 2004.


By-Laws     Top

The By-Laws of

The Upsilon Pi Epsilon Association
The International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines


BYLAW I

The Convention

SECTION 1. The Convention, being duly assembled, shall be called to order by the International President or other member of the Executive Council, or, if there be none such present, by the delegate from the oldest Chapter represented. The temporary chairman shall appoint a delegate as Secretary Pro Tem who shall call the roll of the Chapters and examine the credentials of the delegates present. No delegate shall be permitted to represent more than one Chapter.

SECTION 2.
(a) The Secretary Pro Tem shall keep the minutes of the meetings and shall prepare two copies of the official Report of the Proceedings of the Convention. These copies shall be signed by the Secretary Pro Tem and shall be filed and kept permanently in the bound archives of the Association in the office of the Association.
(b) The Report of the Proceedings of the Convention shall be printed, or mimeographed, and copies shall promptly be transmitted to the officials of the Association, to the Chapters and to all newly elected officials.

SECTION 3.
(a) Each Regular Chapter shall send one active member as its official delegate to the annual Convention.
(b) After the close of the Convention, the Executive Council shall make an audit of the actual expenses of the Convention.

SECTION 4. Any member of the Association may be granted the privilege of the floor at a meeting of the Convention or of a Chapter.

SECTION 5. The Convention may suspend the Bylaws for a specified purpose by a three--fourths majority vote.

SECTION 6. Robert's "Rules of Order" shall be the accepted practice of meetings of the Convention and of the Chapters, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association.


BYLAW II

The Officers

SECTION 1. The Executive Council shall hold not less than one meeting a year. Minutes of these meetings shall be kept. Excerpts therefrom which may be of interest shall be published (in The Official Bulletin). A complete file of Executive Council business and minutes shall be kept and shall be turned over to the Executive Council.

SECTION 2. The Executive Council shall assume active leadership of the Association. It shall study, or appoint committees for studying, such subjects as from time to time seem desirable. It shall attend to the bonding of all persons entrusted with the funds of the Association. The Council shall, on its own initiative, or by request, prepare legislation, amendments, proposals for change, etc., for consideration by the Chapters or the Convention.

SECTION 3. Communications from the Executive Council shall be acted upon by the Regular Chapters within one month, not counting regular college vacations, from the time of their receipt. Should any Chapter fail to report its action, or vote, on such a communication within six weeks, from the time of mailing, not counting regular college vacations, it shall forfeit its vote.

SECTION 4. The Executive Council shall make to each regular annual Convention a report containing the following items:
(a) A statement of the condition of the Association, both general and financial.
(b) The transactions of the Executive Council since the last Convention.
(c) All recommendations for the good of the Association which it may see fit to make.
(d) All subjects brought to its attention by the Chapters.
(e) All Chapters and members subject to discipline.
(f) Recommendations, if any, for the annulment of Chapters and the withdrawal of Charters.


BYLAW III

Regular Chapters

SECTION 1. There shall be an election of Chapter officers each year. Each Chapter shall notify the Executive Council of its new officers within one month of their election.

SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of each Chapter:
(a) To send promptly in the Fall of each year to the Executive Council of the Association lists of the names and post office addresses of the officers and the active members of the Chapter, and to report promptly all changes in their memberships which may occur during the year.
(b) To send to the Executive Council of the Association the Report of Election as specified in Article X, Section 4.
(c) To send to the Executive Council of the Association the Report of Initiation as specified in Bylaw VIII, Section 6.
(d) To send to the Executive Council of the Association, immediately upon receipt of the proper form or after their election, a duplicate of the credentials for the delegate and alternate to the ensuing Convention.
(e) To furnish to the Executive Council of the Association a copy of the Chapter's Bylaws, amended to date, within 1 month of their adoption and amendment.
(f) To report to the Executive Council of the Association such items of news and of interest as to honors received, offices to which members of the Chapters have been elected, and the like, and also any cases of discipline which might affect the standing of one or more members on the rolls of the Association.
(g) To carry on such other correspondence of the Chapter as the President may direct.
SECTION 3. The Chapter shall remit within 2 weeks after each initiation to the Executive Council of the Association the stated amount of the initiation fee payable to the Association for each new initiate. This remittance shall cover the costs of membership. This sum shall be determined by the Convention, on recommendation of the Executive Council.


BYLAW IV

ESTABLISHMENT OF REGULAR CHAPTERS

SECTION 1. Besides complying with Article VI of the Constitution of the Association an institution must complete all requirements prescribed by the Executive Council.


BYLAW V

Insignia:

SECTION 1. Newsletter

SECTION 2. Pictures.

SECTION 3. All jewelry and memorabilia of the Association shall be standardized and approved by official Chapter proceeding and shall be purchasable only through the office of the Executive Council.

SECTION 4. No Chapter or individual member shall have the right to use the designs of the seal, key or crest of the Association for use on stationery or medals of unofficial jewelry, or for any other purpose, except upon authorization by the Executive Council.


BYLAW VI

Official Publications

o UPE Newsletter - Twice a year

o Newsbriefs - At least four times per year

o UPE Handbook - updated once a year



BYLAW VII

Election of Members

SECTION 1. For the purposes of this Bylaw, a credit-hour shall be defined as credit received for work done in any course requiring one hour of lecture or recitation work per week during a semester of 18 weeks, or three hours of laboratory work per week during a semester of 18 weeks. Quarter-hours of work shall be prorated accordingly.

SECTION 2. The method of computing the scholarship rating of a candidate shall be based upon the following schedule of grade points:
One credit-hour of "A" or "1" = 4 points
One credit-hour of "B" or "2" = 3 points
One credit-hour of "C" or "3" = 2 points
One credit-hour of "D" or "4" = 1 point
One credit-hour of "F" or "5" = 0 points

SECTION 3. Grades expressed by letter or number shall be interpreted as having the following approximate significance.
"A"= "1" = Excellent
"B"= "2" = Good
"C"= "3" = Average
"D"= "4" = Passing
"F"= "5" = Failure
In institutions where other grading systems are in use, the Executive Council shall ascertain from the Registrar of the institution the equivalent percentage values of each grade.

SECTION 4. The scholarship rating shall be computed by multiplying the number of credit--hours in each course by the point value corresponding to the grade earned in that course, summing up the total points so computed, and dividing the sum by the total number of credit--hours. The final quotient shall represent the scholarship rating upon which election shall be based.

SECTION 5. When grades are stated in terms of "Satisfactory" and "Unsatisfactory" or "Passed" and "Failed," the Executive Council shall have the power to set up its own method of arriving at the scholarship rating and administering it as the circumstances may require. Additional information should be secured as provided for in Article IX, Section 3 of the International Constitution.


BYLAW VIII

Initiation

SECTION 1. Each candidate shall be required to read the Constitution and the
Bylaws of Upsilon Pi Epsilon Association before being initiated.

SECTION 2.
(a) A Chapter shall not initiate a candidate until he/she has paid his/her initiation fees in full. In special cases, this provision may be waived for a candidate who has signed a note covering the initiation fees and any other indebtedness to the Association.
(b) The Chapter shall be financially responsible to the Association for the collection and payment to the Association of the initiation fee of each initiate which is payable to the Association.

SECTION 3. As part of the initiation ceremonies, each initiate shall sign the roll book of the Chapter, giving his/her full name and permanent post office address. These pledges shall be serially numbered from the establishment of the Chapter.

SECTION 4. Every initiate shall be given a certificate of membership.

SECTION 5. A list of new members initiated, giving the full name, permanent address and class of each initiate and the date of his/her initiation shall be sent to the Executive Council of the Association immediately after each initiation.


Scholarships     Top

UPE Scholarship Award

As is our custom, each summer the Executive Council of UPE evaluates a number of outstanding scholarship applicants at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. All scholarship applicants were required to complete a comprehensive application form which required each applicant to attach all college-level transcripts, UPE adviser recommendation and statements from applicants related to their contributions to their respective UPE chapters and related student activities at their university, as well as their long-term plans for the profession.

UPE/ACM Scholarship Award

UPE and ACM wishes to encourage academic excellence for students in the computing discipline. UPE initiated this award with ACM, to raise the importance of academic achievement and professional commitment in our future computer professionals.
Up to two awards of $1,000 each are given from UPE each year to competition winners. Winners will also receive a certificate of commendation.
Who is Eligible? All graduate and undergraduate students (past 12th grade, college-level and above), who are ACM members and members of the ACM Student Chapter at their academic institution.
Criteria? ACM members who are full-time students, and members of an ACM Student Chapter at an academic institution, are expected to be in the top 5% of their contemporaries on a course leading to recognition in the IT profession. (In the US this would equate to a GPA above 3.5)

See the national site for more information.