INFO ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING PSI CHI ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA), THE ACTIVITIES, AND THE OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
UIW PSYC SOCIETY
Psych Society is the student organization for psychology majors/minors, and students interested in psychology. Psych Society offers psychology-based community service events for students, & promotes interaction between community, faculty and students. Typically
, students work in pairs to organize events (with the assistance of the officers and faculty advisor). Join UIW Psyc Society through OrgSync (on-line) and “like” this page! UIW PSI CHI INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Psi Chi is THE international honor society in psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of “encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology.” Membership in this organization depends on academic achievement—check your UIW email box each semester for an invitation to join, or self-nominate (see criteria below). Eligibility
• Be enrolled as a UIW student (or EAP and CIW student)
• Have completed at least 24 credit hours overall, and at least 9 credit hours of psychology courses.
• Be a PSYC major or minor
• Have a psychology GPA that is at least 3.00
• Have an overall GPA that is in the top 35% of their class – this cutoff is posted and changes each semester! Each semester UIW Psi Chi sends invitations to eligible candidates via UIW email after we determine the semester’s top 35% in each of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. Because the GPA “cutoff” changes each semester, a student who qualifies for Psi Chi membership one semester may not necessarily qualify in the following semester SO it is to the candidate’s advantage to join when invited rather than delay joining until the following semester. Advantages
• LIFELONG membership—pay once and you’re done!
• Eligibility for travel grants
• Eligibility to publish in the Psi Chi journal
• Eligibility for Psi Chi service awards
• Exclusive service opportunities
• Opportunities for involvement with American Psychological Association’s Psi Chi program
• Wear the Psi Chi stole, medal, or cord at graduation (purchase on your own with your membership card obtained at induction or after payment of one-time dues)
Department of Psychology Student Organizations’ Usual Annual Activities
• Community service trips to work with people who have mental illness at:
o San Antonio State Hospital visits to work/play with residents
Fall Harvest Party
Thanksgiving Dinner
Valentine’s Day Dance
Easter Eggstravaganza
o Kerrville State Hospital, one of two forensic hospitals where people who are “not guilty by reason of insanity” are hospitalized (exclusive to Psi Chi members and organization officers in good standing)
• County/community meeting observations and opportunities for professional networking (exclusive to Psi Chi members and organization officers in good standing)
• Meet the Mission with Psi Chi faculty advisor
• Capitol Day—visit your policymakers in Austin! (every two years)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness fundraising walk
• Social gatherings and movie outings (Trips to the SA Zoo and local aquarium)
• Graduate School Preparation workshops—learn about how to best use your years at UIW to be most prepared for graduate school, and learn about the application process.
• Trunk or Treat at UIW
• Light the Way Board Competition at UIW
• NAMI Music Festival
OFFICERS' RESPONSIBILITIES for PSYC SOCIETY and PSI CHI OFFICERS (some officer duties are relevant only to Psi Chi officers)
(Time Commitment: 2-3 hrs per week on average or less. President must be able to serve the entire year;
must be a UIW student [and Psi Chi member, if running for Psi Chi officer]. All officers work with / are supported by the faculty advisor)
President
1. Organize at least one meeting each semester to set calendar and welcome students
2. Commmunicate with national Psi Chi when necessary
3. Head Psi Chi Induction Committee and participate in yearly induction
4. Delegate and follow up to ensure events are adequately planned and implemented
5. Ensure that Student Life trainings (risk management, etc.) Coordinate Officer Recruitment in April
7. Renew student organization through Student Life every April
Vice President
1. Post to Facebook event photos and a paragraph documenting each event, attendees (attendance sheet), and outcome OR delegates someone to do so.
3. Coordinate semester Psi Chi recruitment drives
a. distribute flyers to professors, & post
b. announce at PSYC 2310 classes
c. delegate emailing invitation to candidates, ensure this has been done
Treasurer
1. Process one-time Psi Chi membership dues (in January and April)
2. Keep Psi Chi candidates informed of…
a. Contact candidates via UIW email to obtain pending payment
a. Notify people of admission into society and Induction Ceremony date
b. Updates bulletin board with new member names after Induction
3. Assist VP with Psi Chi recruitment drives
4. Account for any additional fundraising, expenses, and monitors student organization funds account
5. Reimburse students for advisor-approved expenses from account. Secretary
1. Maintain the events calendar on bulletin board and Facebook
2. Coordinate events publicity (emailing to professors, getting approved flyers posted 10 days in advance of an event, updating OrgSync and page before and after the event). NAMI on Campus
This is our peer outreach and stigma-busting group at UIW. NoC hosts Candid Conversations each term and sponsors informational meetings, and support activities.
