Initiate Requirements – Tau Beta Pi

The most explicit requirement for membership is distinguished scholarship; however, high grades alone are not enough. We also expect our initiates to have exceptional character and we host events that are designed to help foster this. Initiation and membership in Tau Beta Pi is evidence of personal integrity, a wide range of interests, adaptability, and unselfish participation in community and volunteer activities.

Below is a summary of the requirements that are also stated in detail in the Fall 2023 Initiate Handbook.

Undergraduate Initiate Requirements (Fall 2023)

In order to be invited to join TBP, an engineer must be in the top 1/8 of the Junior class or top 1/5 of the Senior class (this is determined by credit hours).

The Initiate Social will be in-person on Sunday, September 10th, 2023 from 3-5 pm. You’ll meet your fellow initiates and the officer board while bowling, playing pool and board games. Attendance is mandatory. Email Anna Marie (ambuss2@illinois.edu) if you can’t attend.

Informal Interview

You will be asked to have an interview with our current members. The purpose of the interview is not to judge your eligibility to be inducted into Tau Beta Pi, but to allow our current members and board members to know you better. It will last for 15 minutes and take place in-person in our office. Interviews will be scheduled for weeknights, September 5th to September 15th (excluding Saturday, and Sunday). Sign ups will be sent out in the newsletter.

Initiation Fee

There is an initiation fee of $100 that must be turned in by Friday, September 29th, 2023 . This can be submitted through the TBP store. Make sure to take a screenshot of the payment and email it to Arya (aryat2@illinois.edu). See the Initiate Handbook linked above for a breakdown of the fee.

Point Requirement for Attending Events

You will need a total of 6 points to initiate. You must earn at least 1 point from each category: social, professional, and service. Check the newsletter, and calendar for opportunities to earn points. Refer to the Point Tracking Sheet to check the number of points you’ve earned.

Bent Polishing

Bent Polishing has been a part of our chapter initiation for some years now. It is one of the best parts of the initiation process; it is the first place you really get to know other initiates and officers while taking pride in your election. The bent must be polished between September 18th and September 29th (excluding Saturday, and Sunday). Sign ups will be sent out in the newsletter.

Committee Participation

This applies to undergraduates only. The primary goal of each committee is to provide a common task that members and initiates can work together to achieve. Each initiate will be assigned a committee based on their response filled out at the info session. Initiates are required to attend all 4 meetings for their committee. Detailed information on committees, including meeting dates, can be found in the Fall 2023 Committee Info document.

Resume

As we are a professional organization, we receive many requests for the resumes of our members. The resume must be submitted using this form by Friday, October 6th, 2023.

Initiation Ceremony

The ceremony will be on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. Details will be sent out at a later time. You MUST attend the ceremony to join.

Graduate Initiate Requirements (Fall 2023)

In order to join, you must have been enrolled for one semester with a GPA of 3.75 or higher and completed 50% of the coursework and research by the time you submit your application (determined by the primary academic advisor).

Initiation Fee

Point Requirement for Attending Events

You will need a total of 3 points to initiate. 2 points can come from any category (social, professional, or service), and 1 point must come from a service or professional event in order to initiate. Check the newsletter or calendar for opportunities to earn points and the Graduate tab of the Point Tracking Sheet (coming soon) to check how many points you have.

Recommendation Letter

All graduate initiates must submit a one page letter of recommendation from their primary academic advisor. Letter must explicitly include confirmation of 50% degree completion and GPA > 3.75 in addition to recommending you to the society. Submit it to Siyuan by Friday, October 6th, 2023.

Report of Eligibility

The Report of Eligibility must be submitted to Siyuan by Friday, October 6th, 2023. See the Initiate Handbook linked above for more information.

Initiation Ceremony

The ceremony will be on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. Details will be sent out at a later time. You MUST attend the ceremony to join.