Phi Beta Cappa at Western?

Yeah, I'd be interested. But I think it's Phi Beta Kappa...

"Each year, about one college senior in a hundred, nationwide, is invited to join Phi Beta Kappa."

Sounds pretty elitist, dontchathink?

Having grown up in a town with fraternities and sororities, I think that one of the best things about Western is the fact that we don't have them.

even if Phi Beta Kappa is an academic honor society. please, just no Greek at all.

You posted so much good information that I am sure everyone will want to join...

I'm pretty sure western doesn't even support the greek system, hence not having any

Greek at Western? No way! That's a big part of why people choose Western; so they don't have to deal with the disgusting hierarchy system that calls itself a group of brothers and sisters A.K.A. the Greek system. Personally, I enjoy  the fact that everyone on campus can be equals. From what I've seen so far, Western and its students pride themselves on being a place where there is no discrimination. If we allowed a Greek system onto campus, this would all be diminished. I definitely think that Western should remain Greek free. 

There is a full-fledged chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi here at Western.  It is the Omega Beta chapter.  It is a professional business fraternity that is actively looking for members! Woooooot!

one of the biggest reasons people come to Western is to escape all the greek life, the "i get so fucked up i walk off cliffs and kill myself (WSU)" type of college life. leave the fraternities and sororities OUT!!

Woooaaah there, nelly!

It is NOT part of the greek system, i.e. a fraternity or sorority.  Did you think that because of the greek letters?  What the hell do you do in math?  Oh no!  They want me to calculate delta x!  Begone ye gods of greek excess!

Take a deep breath.  t's no different then Beta Alpha Psi (the accounting society) which ialready has a chapter at western.  It's an honors society dedicated to academic excellence and community service.  There a quite a few members of the faculty who are members.

http://www.pbk.org/home/index.aspx

Before jumping all over something, maybe, just maybe, consider taking the time to research your position.

HAHAHAHA! Are you freakin serious? I've seen as many drunk idiots in the WWU area as I've seen on the Frat Row at UW. I'm totally not down with the Greek System, but just because there aren't frats up here doesn't mean that there aren't a bunch of drunken morons.

I don't want to insult anyone, but I am suspicious of any organization that charges a fee to be a member. Also, at the community college where I got my A.S., they sold a lot of "trinkets" that the students were allowed to wear on graduation day (odd thing was no other garb was allowed)... which I thought was a pretty sleazy way to make a buck. 

 
This info would have helped at the beginning. 

There's this crazy new technology that lets you *search* for information!  I can now be socially acceptable instead of putting my foot in my mouth about things I don't know!  Try it, you'll love what it does for you! I can breath easy now that I have search and my "Help, I've Fallen and Can't Get Up" rescue necklace.

I am surprised we don't have it here - we really need to change that. It is unfair to WWU students who dedicate themselves to academic excellence to have no hope of making PBK just because of this scattershot greek letter phobia. To be able to claim membership in an honor society like PBK on a resume or an application to graduate school is a huge advantage to any college graduate, and by refusing to form a chapter we do no less than cripple our best and brightest. 

Now, a Phi Beta Kappa chapter is granted not to the institution per se, but to Phi Beta Kappa members on the faculty. If we do not have a large enough body of members within Western's faculty, then there's not much to be done. But to simply reject the idea of forming an honor society chapter out of hand is beyond absurd. That we prevent the formation of fraternities/sororities as a movement against creating social division amongst the student body is something I understand, but this is an entirely different issue. There is no "frat house" involved in Phi Beta Kappa. Would we excise the honor roll system, and cease to allow students to graduate cum laude/magna cum laude? No, if we are truly so blinded and fearful, we need to step back, open our eyes, and take a serious look at our priorities and convictions as an academic community.

[quote=Anthony Coraggio]^^

Really? Is Phi Beta Kappa that much of an item on your grad school apps? 

If you are aiming for a top grad school, every single thing you do is important. 

I'm targeting the London School of Economics, where the average GMAT is over 700 and they accept only the U.S. equivalent of a first class honors degree (magna and summa cum laude).  When everyone in your admissions cohort has exceptional marks and test scores, differentiation can be achieved with essays, extra-curricular activities, references and undergraduate research.

Phi Beta Kappa as an extra-curricular activity can be a valuable addition in that milieu.

Just curious, if PBK is so important to you folks, then why didn't you go to a school that already has a chapter?

WWU works well for me; I'm a working student.  I have a great job as a manager for a manufacturing firm in Whatcom.  They help pay for Uni and are flexible with my schedule to allow me in class time.  I doubt I would have the same benefits or flexibility elsewhere.

[edited] 

Sounds like you have quite a lot of great stuff to set you apart on your grad school app.

You don't really have any proof that Phi Beta Kappa will really set you apart though, right? That is just an assumption you are making... is it not? Did someone at Phi Beta Kappa tell you this? Did a grad school admissions person tell you this?

Again, I really don't know much about Phi Beta Kappa, other then they make money off of their members via membership fees and sales of various trinkets and pins for your cap and gown. I am sure that they do a lot of other great stuff... like volunteer work etc. It is unfortunate that their name inspires some distrust by those of us that are not fond of the greek system, because it is possible that they are in some way set apart. I guess because they don't have frat and sorority houses? Still, it does seem fairly elite-ist. I mean, I know that they wave membership fees for students that are in financial need...

Pete,

You're right, they do make money off of membership.  But so do most professional groups and organizations.  Memberhsip isn't really vital in my instance, as membership is most prevalent in the United States.  That said, groups like Phi Beta Kappa or Beta Alpha Psi (currently at WWU) are great opportunities to network and receive exposure to professionals.  There is also the psychological tendency to trust those who belong to the same minority group.  If you are applying for a position and the human resources manager is a member of Phi Beta Kappa as you are, it's going to make  a difference.  I'm sure it could be considered calculating, but gaining the maximum amount of leverage is a good strategy.

I think it would definitely be a good idea for people who take pride in their academic excellence. A lot of people try hard to obtain good grades and try to be top of their class. In addition, many peole find community service a major part of really showing future employers how dedicated you are to helping our society.

Every single university has drunken idiots whether its a greek system or not. But having a club where people can join and talk to others about their academic excellence, I think  its a great idea. I would be willing to join something like that.. plus, I'm sure some people might try a little harder too just to be apart of the Phi Beta Kappa...

And seriously.. there is always going to be hierarchies... that is just something no one can stop. People are constantly judging themselves against their peers making their own decisions on who is higher than the other... seriously...

Agreed Chuck Norris.

Also Robins, I would have to disagree with Western being as judgmental as you imply. I used to attend Skyline High School, one of the most judgmental and clique-y school I have ever seen. Everyone who goes to surrounding schools even knows SHS due to this reputation. It's the school where the rich, egotistical, spoiled, bratty, snobs reign supreme and I for one am so relieved to be at WWU. My first year here was amazing and I cannot wait for it to start again. Even being home within the clique-y environment of the Plateau sets my mood sour.

I have never felt so at ease at any other school or city. I feel like I can be myself with everyone at Western. I feel like everyone here is equal. Although everyone is unique and differs in their strengths/weakness, no one here exploits that or rubs their strengths in people's faces. In fact, they use their talents to add to the experience of what is Western Washington University. I would hate for people to change this wonderful environment to where everyone is trying to one-up each other. (Oh! You’re not a member of PBK? Well that sucks, because it’s only the best club ever. Can’t get in? Well…talk to you never!)

Already answered.  I have an excellent job in the local area that affords me flexibility in pursing my education.  I also have four generations of family ties to WWU, the little cabin by the fairhaven dorms belonged to my great-grandparents.  Of course, I can't speak for other students who might be interested in PBK about why they chose WWU, but I'm sure we all have excellent reasons.

As for the remainder of your post:

It has nothing to do with 'one-upping' other students.

Academia is not a zero-sum game -- at least not until grant-writing and research kick in on the graduate level -- an improvement in overall utility can be achieved without loss to any other participant.

I don't understand the perspective of those of you who are antagonistic towards something like PBK.  In what way is a program that encourages students to achieve excellence in academics going to hurt you?  

Excluding the political ideology arguments, this debate reminds me of the statements made by conservatives against providing health care to everyone in the U.S.

This thread is full of win.

I am applying to grad school back east and right there on the application I saw this : 

Phi Beta Kappa Society ElectionHave you been elected into The Phi Beta Kappa Society outside of Syracuse University?

So, could you pass the ketchup?

What are would you be studying at Syracuse?

I have family in the Syracuse-Skaneateles area. So I thought, why not apply to be an orangeman?

i would join

I'm Phi Theta Kappa.  2 year college honors society.  This is honors society folks...  You have to earn it.  There's no Greeky pledges and all that jazz.  It is an honor for good grades...  Pretty much you get to wear a fancy dooley thingy around your neck when you graduate...goes on your degree cert...  and it shows you worked your but off. 

You don't have to go to meetings...  Just pay your dues...  you can access the website and apply for fancy scholarships...and useless swag that no one else can buy. :)  LOL!  

I assume Phi Beta Kappa is the same.  I enjoyed wearing my Phi Theta Kappa regalia at graduation.  I worked hard for it.