Register a Student Organization!

Chapter 155 at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, established a registered student organization in 2006 to be affiliated with the chapter. At that time, the chapter also moved their initiation from spring to fall so seniors could have more time as active members and participate in chapter activities.

Officers of the organization include the two elected student vice presidents from the chapter who typically serve in the roles of president and treasurer. The student group has their own officers, budget and meetings throughout the year and most activities are planned in conjunction with the Executive Board. All members are invited to the organization’s community service and social events, which include reading to children, serving meals at Faith Mission homeless shelter, tailgating, holiday parties, group attendance at campus festivals and more.

Some of the benefits available to registered student organizations at Ohio State include:

• use of university facilities for free
• $250 to use in the resource room on organizational supplies
• participation in student involvement fairs
• technology support including free website hosting, email address, and group email lists
• marketing support including graphic design, photography, and videography

Michael Shearer, chapter president, said “If food and beverages are ordered by the student group in the student unions, they receive up to a 30 percent discount. For open campus events, student groups can make requests for free Coke beverages for events since the university has a contract with Coca-Cola. Prior to the student group’s existence, room charges were incurred and food was purchased at full price.”

If your chapter needs support like this, talk to the Student Affairs office on your campus about benefits available to registered student organizations.

Test Prep with the Princeton Review

Chapter 100 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has partnered with the Princeton Review and the UNLV Honors College to host a free GRE strategy webinar on October 15. A Princeton Review instructor will review strategies and share tips on how to prepare for the test and maximize your score. Some topics include test structure and how to dodge traps, scoring methods and question types, test misconceptions and truths, and a live Q&A session. The chapter also plans to provide refreshments to guests thirty minutes before the webinar begins.

The Society has been a partner with the Princeton Review since 2005. Hosting a test prep webinar is a great way to engage your members, increase the visibility of Phi Kappa Phi on your campus, and provide an academic service to students. If your chapter is interested in hosting a webinar with the Princeton Review, contact Jamie Chapman at the Phi Kappa Phi national office. She will work with Princeton representatives to confirm the instructor, coordinate online registration, and create flyers or other promotional materials. Your chapter will be responsible for setting the date, time, and viewing location (unless hosted completely online).

UNCC Faculty and Staff Rotate Presidency

Chapter 228 at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, has adopted a new practice of rotating the presidency each year between a faculty and staff member. The past president, Ron Smelser, is a faculty member/administrator. The president, Leslie Zenk, is a staff member. The president-elect, Richard Leeman, is a faculty member.

The intent of this new practice is to help actively engage both faculty and staff in the leadership of the organization and share the responsibility of carrying on the work of the organization.

“It's important to have diverse voices and experiences present on the board to help generate the best ideas for our organization and create the best opportunities for our students. Faculty and staff also often have different experiences with and access to campus resources, offices, and partners which can create a richer collaboration,” said Zenk.

Share Your Chapter’s Events, Resources and Practices

Please share your chapter news and events with Michelle Lowery, Chapter Development Director, so it can be included in future chapter updates and shared on social media. Pictures are encouraged!

Top photo by Michael A. Shearer - Nick Carcione, treasurer, left, and Selina Vickery, president, officers for the Phi Kappa Phi registered student organization at The Ohio State University, are pictured at the spring 2019 Student Involvement Fair. 

Bottom photo by Cress Photography – Officers from the chapter at UNC-Charlotte during initiation include, from left, Dr. Malin Pereira, scholarship coordinator; Dr. Leslie Zenk, president; Dr. Misty Hathcock, treasurer; Dr. Kelly Powers, member-at-large; Dr. Lisa Walker, member-at-large; Dr. Ron Smelser, past president; Dr. Tamara Johnson, communications officer; and Abey Dessie, member-at-large.