- This manual is issued by the Grand Chapter for the
use and guidance of all members of the Society participating
in the operation of active chapters.
- All members should be familiar with the contents of
the manual, but the officers of the Chapter are held responsible
for the information contained herein by the Grand Chapter.
The manual should have their careful attention.
The Constitution of Tau Sigma Delta
- The constitution governs all actions of the Society,
locally and nationally. This manual is intended to supplement,
or clarify, some portions of the constitution, and to
give information and suggestions that will be of material
assistance to new officers in properly conducting the
affairs of their Chapter. Always consult the constitution
first.
Association of College Honor Societies
- The Constitution of Tau Sigma Delta au Sigma Delta
is the only honor society nationally recognized in the
field of architecture, landscape architecture and the
allied arts. The Society is a member of the Association
of College Honor Societies. This is a distinct honor and
gives Tau Sigma Delta the same high rating enjoyed by
the most distinguished honor societies of other educational
fields.
- To meet the requirements for selection to Tau Sigma
Delta is an individual achievement. When the Faculty and
the Grand Chapter of Tau Sigma Delta confer the right
to wear the key of Tau Sigma Delta it becomes a distinction.
The membership has the right to be proud of its accomplishments
and the emblem that signifies scholastic and professional
attainments.
Faculty Advisors
- Each institutional Chapter selects an advisor from
among its faculty members. The faculty advisor (or his
designated representative) represents the Chapter at conventions
or meetings of the Society.
Conventions
- National conventions are held at the same time and place
scheduled for the annual meeting of the Association of
Collegiate Schools of Architecture. This arrangement ensures
representation of all chapters without adding a financial
burden to the active members.
Chapter Officers Report
- The names and addresses of elected officers and Faculty
Advisors should be sent each year to the Grand Chapter
Treasurer who will forward them to the Grand Chapter President.
Other information concerning chapter activities may be
included in the reports.
Selections to Membership
-
General requirements are specified
in the Constitution. The following items are offered
for information and guidance.
1. Members are selected entirely on
the basis of scholarship without regard to race, creed,
sex or national origin.
2. Students who have entered the second
semester of the third year of their degree program may
be considered for membership. They must have completed
the majority of prerequisites of their major degree
program during that period. (In schools where no major
degree courses are taught in the first years, a
later level may be considered as a more proper threshold
for consideration.) No student should be considered
for membership with less than a "B" average,
or a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. (In schools not using a letter
or numerical system, a minimum standard of performance
suitable for recognition by membership must be determined
by the Faculty Advisor of the local Chapter and the
administration and faculty of the institution in which
the Chapter is domiciled. Such standards must be approved
by the Grand Chapter.) In addition to the minimum level
expressly stated above, students being considered must
be in the upper 20% of their class.
3. In making the selection of eligible
students to be considered, the highest 20% of each class
should be listed. In compiling the eligible list, the
Chapter should consider all students who have completed
the required amount of work. Students who were not eligible
on the first computation of their grades might become
eligible in some later term.
4. Only students from the upper 20%
of each class are eligible for consideration even though
more than 20% may satisfy all other requirements
Selection of New Members
1. When selections are completed, the officers of
the Chapter shall extend an "Invitation
to Membership" to each individual selected.
2. The Officers of the Chapter shall follow
up the invitation with letters including
information and instructions which may be required
for joining the local chapter.
3. The following shall be sent to the Grand
Chapter Administrative Assistant :
- An indication of the total fees due and a check or money
order for that total amount.
- An alphabetical list of inductees with their full name
as they should appear on the certificates, and the date
set for their initiation (double spaced).
- A statement of the jewelry ordered and the total amount
of money involved.
- An alphabetical list of individuals ordering keys, charms
or tie tacs, and designation of type of jewelry desired
by each. (Note: Any jewelry ordered for members other
than the selected members listed under (a) should also
state the date of initiation for each person.)
- Name and address of the chapter officer to whom certificates
and jewelry are to be delivered. (Note: Certificates will
not be mailed to individual members. Orders must be placed
in time for distribution during the regular school term.
Six-weeks time between the mailing of information to the
Grand Chapter and the initiation should be ample.)
Initiations
-
Selections and invitations should be
planned well in advance of the expected day of initiation.
Fees shall be collected and sent to the Grand Chapter
Administrative Assistant without delay. An interval of
six weeks will provide time for the preparation of certificates
and their delivery.
-
This interval of time should provide
the chapter with an opportunity to plan a dignified and
impressive initiation meeting. A meeting might feature
a guest speaker of professional interest.
-
Attendance of alumni members at initiation
should be encouraged.
-
Tau Sigma Delta is not a secret organization.
The induction of new members may be attended by parents,
faculty and friends of the initiate.
Chapter Finances
-
A fee may be assessed by each chapter.
It is suggested that these Chapter fees be kept to a minimum
to permit any individual to be able to accept the honor
of selection to membership.
-
The initial Chapter fee should be sufficient
to cover the cost of the initiate's share of any incidental
expenses pertaining to his or her induction into Tau Sigma
Delta.
-
All financial transactions between
the local Chapters and the Grand Chapter should be addressed
to the Grand Chapter Administrative Assistant and should
be checked by the Faculty Advisor.
-
The Grand Chapter fee paid by each
new member is the only sum required by the national organization.
-
There are no national, yearly dues.
-
Individual personal checks shall not
be sent to the Grand Chapter Administrative Assistant
for any initiate. The Chapter Treasurer should obtain
a bank draft, cashier's check, postal money order, or
other similar form for sending money. This should be made
out to Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society.
Membership Certificates, Jewelry, and Supplies
-
The Grand Chapter fee covers the cost
of the membership certificate which is provided for each
initiate and for lifetime membership.
-
A lost certificate may be replaced
by any member upon application to the Grand Chapter Administrative
Assistant and payment of an appropriate charge ($5.00).
The application should contain the name, chapter, and
date of initiation.
-
Purchase of official jewelry is in
no way mandatory and need not be made at the time of selection.
Any member may secure a key at any time by sending the
pertinent information and the current cost to the Grand
Chapter Administrative Assistant..
-
Tau Sigma Delta jewelry cannot be obtained
from any source except by order through the office of
the Grand Chapter Administrative Assistant.
-
For recording and engraving it is necessary
to have the name, chapter, and initiation date for each
piece of jewelry that is ordered.
-
Jewelry should never be worn by any
other than members of Tau Sigma Delta.
-
There are no other forms of Tau Sigma
Delta jewelry authorized. There are no pledge buttons.
-
Replacement for the Bylaws and Operating
Procedures can be downloaded from the Society's website
or requested from the Grand Chapter Treasurer.
Medals
In
1969 Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society established an award
for distinction known as the Tau Sigma Delta Medal. Three
medals were designated for three categories of recognition.
The medals and categories of recognition are as follows:
- Gold Medal
The Gold Medal is awarded by the Grand Chapter to a professional
with a record of high distinction in design in the field
of architecture, landscape architecture or the allied
arts. The selection is made by the Grand Chapter of the
Society, and the award is presented annually as a part
of the ACSA national meeting.
- Silver Medal
The Silver Medal is awarded by individual chapters of
Tau Sigma Delta to a professional with a record of distinction
in design in the field of architecture, landscape architecture
or the allied arts. The selection is made by the membership
of each chapter and is awarded at a place and time considered
appropriate to each chapter.
The Silver Medal may also be awarded by the Grand Chapter
to members of the society who have distinguished themselves
by outstanding service to the society, or to the field
of architectural education.
- Bronze Medal
The Bronze Medal is awarded by the individual
chapters of Tau Sigma Delta to students who have distinguished
themselves in design in the field of architecture, landscape
architecture, or the allied arts. The selection of the
recipient is made by the student membership of each chapter
and is awarded at a place and time considered appropriate
to each chapter.
Ordering Procedures
The
Bronze and Silver Medals may be ordered from the Grand Chapter
Administrative Assistant. Orders should be placed well in
advance of the presentation time. Engraving is up to the individual
chapters.
The Functions of a Faculty Advisor
The
responsibility for the perpetuation of a Chapter of Tau Sigma
Delta actually is vested in the faculty. Membership is the
result of scholastic achievement. Membership is an academic
honor resulting from the educational process. Tau Sigma Delta
is not a club or a social organization. It is not a political
body in the affairs of the department, school or university.
Its major functions are to emphasize and facilitate scholarship
and to reward its attainment.
The
choice of a Faculty Advisor is important. The Chapter confers
a responsibility in choosing a Faculty Advisor. The faculty
member shall formally confirm his willingness to participate.
The Faculty Advisor becomes the liaison officer between the
national officers and the members of the active group and
their faculty. The Grand Chapter and the Faculty Advisors
(or their designated representatives) constitute the personnel
of the conventions of the Society.
The
Faculty Advisor should be available to the officers of the
Chapter, and should cooperate on all matters of interest and
importance to their group.
The
Grand Chapter has made the following definite suggestions
to the Faculty Advisors for their guidance:
- When the new officers are elected, the Faculty Advisor
shall convene such officers and explain the functioning
of Tau Sigma Delta. Officers should read the Constitution
and Instruction Manual. Officers should know that all
matters pertaining to membership or to the Grand Chapter
should pass through the officers hands. Financial transactions
must be carefully checked. Be sure that all requests for
information by the Grand Chapter are answered carefully
and promptly.
Check all selections to see that those invited to membership
have satisfied the requirements as to scholarship and
amount of work completed.
Instruct the new officers in the procedure of sending
out invitations to membership, collection of fees, proper
communications with the Grand Chapter, and the arrangements
necessary for an initiation.
Be responsible for the safekeeping of the Chapter files.
The
Grand Chapter hopes that the officers of each Chapter will
understand the responsibilities outlined above. The best interests
of the Society will be attained only by mutual cooperation.
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