Honors political science fraternity comes to MU
Published Sept. 18, 2007
Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honors political science fraternity, will add MU to its list of active chapters this year.
"The group's main purpose is to commend students with an aptitude in the field of political science, while at the same time providing an opportunity to get involved with a variety of activities that relate to the major," Pi Sigma Alpha President Laura Browne stated in an e-mail.
The national organization sponsors chapter activity grants, scholarships for graduate study, student membership awards and a speaker series.
Events planned for the fraternity include lectures by faculty members, publicizing a "meet the constituents" show with the staff of Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., in October and participation in Project Vote Smart to educate students on voting in the 2008 election.
A group of Pi Sigma Alpha members will be finding and working at a stop for the Project Vote Smart bus, Browne stated.
This event will be held in conjunction with the Associated Students of the University of Missouri.
The bus tour promotes student voting not only in national elections, but also in local and state elections.
The 16-year-old program labels itself as the "Nation's first Voter's Self-Defense System."
Pi Sigma Alpha encourages involvement from all students, regardless of their party preference.
"As a non-partisan group, we have the chance to bring issues to campus without a bias or hidden agenda," Browne stated.
Eligibility for national initiation into Pi Sigma Alpha requires a student to obtain at least nine hours of political science course credit and to maintain a 3.0 average in these classes.
But a student without the nine hours may still join the local chapter until they have completed these credits.
Membership commitments include attendance at bi-weekly meetings and a mind open to assuming leadership positions and bringing new ideas to the table, Browne stated.
"Pi Sigma Alpha is a fairly young organization and we are excited to start planning events and get our name out on campus," Browne stated.