Policies and Procedures

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Chapter Membership

How to start and maintain a chapter 

Chapters may be established at community colleges that meet the following characteristics:

  • grants associate degrees
  • accredited by the appropriate regional association
  • offers a minimum of 12 academic hours in Communication and Communication-related courses

Applications for new chapters can be submitted online.  A new chapter fee of $100 is required, which includes a charter suitable for framing and the first year of chapter dues.

To maintain active chapter status, chapters must pay the annual chapter dues of $25 no later than January 2 of each year. After two years of non-payment, chapters will be considered inactive and must re-charter.

Renew Chapter
 
New Chapter Application

 

Chapters are required to complete an annual report. Chapters will be reviewed periodically for compliance with SCH requirements. Non-compliance may result in charter revocation.

Student Membership

How to join your local chapter 

To be eligible for admission, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete 9 semester credit hours (15 quarter credit-hours) at their current institution, the equivalent number of hours at a transfer institution, or the equivalent number of hours through life-long learning credit
  2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken
  3. Complete the equivalent of two courses or 6 semester credit hours (9 quarter credit-hours) in Communication Studies
  4. Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Communication Studies courses taken
  5. Currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution's policies.

A method of election to membership shall be devised by each chapter, but must maintain strict adherence to the eligibility for membership described above. Local chapters have the option of increasing the national requirements.  Rushing and/or social pressure shall not be used to ensure acceptance of invitation to membership or for initiation into membership.  If a student meets the eligibility requirements as outlined above, they cannot be denied membership in Sigma Chi Eta.  Once a student is inducted, he or she is a member of Sigma Chi Eta for life.  Students who are members of Sigma Chi Eta and transfer to another school that has a Sigma Chi Eta chapter will automatically be members of that school's chapter.

The membership fee is $30.  Chapter advisors should process student membership orders online through Award Concepts. 

Local chapters of Sigma Chi Eta may, by majority vote, confer honorary member status upon Communication faculty members or individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the goals of the Society or make outstanding contributions to the academic goals of the chapter.  To be considered an official honorary member of Sigma Chi Eta, the member’s name, along with the membership fee, must be submitted to NCA. 

Selection for membership shall be made without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, physical disabilities, physical qualities, or age. 

Benefits of Membership 

Student members shall be eligible to:

  1. Vote at all chapter meetings of the Society
  2. Be elected to chapter offices
  3. Attend scholarly presentations and colloquia of the sponsoring academic department
  4. Represent the local chapter at state, regional, and national conventions
  5. Submit to the SCH research paper sessions at the NCA Annual Convention
  6. Participate in SCH social media efforts via Facebook and Twitter
  7. Compete for various SCH national chapter awards

Honorary members may not vote or hold office in the Society or the chapter, or represent the chapter at the SCH business meeting held annually during the NCA Convention.

National Student Representatives 

  • The SCH Student Advisory Board shall consist of three students elected by the honor society members at the annual business meeting of SCH held at NCA’s Annual Convention.  Nominations will be taken from the floor at the annual business meeting and students must be present to be elected.  Each chapter delegation represented at the meeting will be eligible to vote for three nominees.  The top three vote getters will constitute the Student Advisory Board.
  • Advisory board members serve one-year terms.
  • In conjunction with the National Faculty Advisory Board and National Office staff, the SCH student representatives shall plan the annual business meeting and awards ceremony. 
  • Vacancies shall be filled with an appointment by the NCA in consultation with the other student officers and the Faculty Advisory Board.

National Faculty Advisory Board 

  • The Faculty Advisory Board, consisting of three members, shall be elected by the chapter advisors of Sigma Chi Eta who are in attendance at the annual business meeting, which is held in conjunction with NCA’s Annual Convention.  Nominations will be taken on the floor of the meeting.  Advisors must be present to be elected.
  • The election of the Faculty Advisory Board shall be by plurality vote, with the top vote-getting candidates, equal to the number of open positions, elected to the board.
  • Members will serve terms of three years, alternating one board member each year.
  • Vacancies shall be filled with an appointment by NCA in consultation with the rest of the Faculty Advisory Board members. 

National Meetings 

The annual business meeting of Sigma Chi Eta shall be held in conjunction with the Annual Convention of the National Communication Association.  All SCH members are welcome to attend the meeting.

Local Chapter Responsibilities 

Chapters must elect officers. Recommended offices include the traditional leadership structure of President, Vice-President, Scholarship Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary; however, each chapter may elect to install a different leadership structure by majority decision of the chapter.

Chapters must appoint a Communication faculty member to serve as advisor.

Local chapters may determine their own policies and procedures that are consistent with those of NCA.

Local officers are responsible for the following items, among others:

  1. Actively promote the purposes of SCH in the college community
  2. Organize chapter meetings
  3. Encourage academic excellence and stimulating intellectual inquiry among members through activities such as inviting guest speakers, informing members of opportunities for research and involvement in professional associations, and presenting awards for outstanding contributions
  4. Keep meeting minutes and a record of chapter activities

SCH Name and Logo

Chapters may use the SCH logo to support local chapter activities. Please contact NCA's Academic and Professional Affairs Associate for details.