Gamma Beta Chapter
of
at Wichita State University
Purpose and Objective
The Society was established to recognize scholarship and professionalism in the Earth Sciences. It has for its objectives the scholastic, scientific, and professional advancement of its members and the extension of relations of friendship and assistance among colleges and universities which are devoted to the advancement of the Earth Sciences. The mission of the Gamma Beta (GB) Chapter at Wichita State University is to encourage academic excellence and active participation in the discipline of Earth Science.
History and Government
The Society was founded on March 30, 1915, at The University of Kansas. Nearly 150 chapters throughout the United States have been installed since 1915. Government of the Society is by student members and the ultimate legislative authority is vested in a National Convention held every two years. It is composed of one student delegate from each chapter and the seven national officers who are faculty members.
The Gamma Beta Chapter was granted their petition for membership on December 16th, 1966. Founding members were Daniel Brenner, Michael Crouch, James Hostetler, Philip Knighton, James Miesner, James Myers, and James Robbins.
How Can I Join?
Any person interested in any branch of the Earth Sciences is welcome to join. The Gamma Beta Chapter encourages progressive academic achievement and participation in and outside the classroom. Therefore, the Wichita State chapter holds three levels of membership, each with its own responsibilities and requirements.
Gamma (G) Level: Open to all interested persons (whether or not you are a geology major or even taken a course in earth science). You are encouraged to participate in conferences, field trips, national meetings and group fundraising activities. If you are interested, you need only inform any officer of your chapter who will propose you for membership at a regular meeting. A majority vote is required by the chapter members on your application to approve it. The vote is taken to assure that in the eyes of the members you have demonstrated your interest in the profession.
Beta (B) Level: Open to all persons who have taken 6 hours of coursework in geology, maintain a 2.7 G.P.A. (on a 4.0 system) in Earth Science courses together with an overall G.P.A. of 2.00 in all college courses. If you qualify and wish to apply, you need only inform any officer of your chapter who will propose you for membership at a regular meeting. A majority vote is required by the chapter members on your application to approve it. The vote is taken to assure that in the eyes of the members you have demonstrated your interest in the profession by participation in your department's activities.
Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE) Level: Open to all persons who have completed at least 10 semester hours in Earth Science courses and have maintained a minimum 3.0 G.P.A. (on a 4.0 system) in all Earth Science courses together with an overall G.P.A. of 2.67 in all college courses is qualified for membership. If you qualify and wish to apply, you need only inform any officer of your chapter who will propose you for membership at a regular meeting. A majority vote is required by the chapter members on your application to approve it. The vote is taken to assure that in the eyes of the members you have demonstrated your interest in the profession by participation in your department's activities.
Why Should I Join?
Membership in the Gamma Beta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Epsilon or a listing of it on a resume (or the wearing of a member's key or pin) tells a prospective employer or a colleague that:
1) you are at least a "B" average student
2) that in the eyes of your peers you are professionally motivated
Members serve their departments in a number of ways such as organizing field trips, tutoring, arranging displays, etc. Our chapter has money-raising activities to obtain funds to use for scholarships or awards or to purchase items needed for student use which the department cannot afford. Membership also includes subscription to a professional journal, The Compass. Members of Sigma Gamma Epsilon are encouraged to submit articles to this highly respected journal, as it provides the opportunity to share your research with the society. As an associated society of the Geological Society of America, Sigma Gamma Epsilon members are entitled to GSA-member rates for registration at national and regional meetings and for purchase of GSA publications.
Fees and Dues
Fees vary with the level of participation in the local and national organization. All members (at the Gamma, Beta, and SGE Levels) pay annual dues of $10 to the local chapter for defraying costs associated with administration including copying fees, purchase of materials, and upfront costs for fundraising activites.
Full SGE members, pay a one-time initiation fee of $25.00 to the national organization. This initiation fee is placed in a fund used to defray the costs of the National Convention. Once you are initiated you are always a member of the national Society; however, while you are a student you pay annual National Dues of $15.00, plus any local chapter dues. A portion of these annual dues pays for the publication of the four issues of The Compass that you will receive each year. The Compass contains student papers and articles by practicing earth scientists in addition to news and notes about the Society. No page or plate charges are assessed students who publish in The Compass.
After leaving school, you may become an Active Alumni Member and continue to receive The Compass by payment of $15.00 per year to the National Office, or a single fee of $175.00 for a lifetime membership including a Compass subscription.