Phi Upsilon Omicron
American honor society for family and consumer science
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phi Upsilon Omicron (ΦΥΟ), sometimes called Phi U, is a scholastic honor society that recognizes academic achievement among students in the field of family and consumer science. It was established in 1909 at the University of Minnesota.
| Phi Upsilon Omicron | |
|---|---|
| ΦΥΟ | |
| |
| Founded | February 10, 1909 University of Minnesota |
| Type | Honor |
| Affiliation | ACHS |
| Former affiliation | PPA |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Family and Consumer Science |
| Scope | International |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Cream, Gold, and Violet |
| Flower | Violet |
| Publication | The Candle |
| Chapters | 61 |
| Members | 97,000 lifetime |
| Nickname | Phi U |
| Headquarters | P.O. Box 50970 Bowling Green, Kentucky 42102-4270 United States |
| Website | phiu |
History
Phi Upsilon Omicron was founded at the University of Minnesota on February 10, 1909, as an honor society for students of home economics, now called family and consumer sciences.[1][2] It was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies in 1979.[2][1] It is a former member of the Professional Fraternity Association.
The society has an Educational Foundation that presents 28 undergraduate scholarships and eight graduate fellowships, awarded annually to its members.[1][3] The foundation also has seven undergraduate awards and two advisor awards.[1][2]
In 2011, Phi Upsilon Omicron has sixty active college chapters, 31 alumni chapters, and a total membership of approximately 93,065.[1]
Symbols
The Greek letters Phi Upsilon Omicron represent the first, second, and last words of the Greek phrase that translates as “The Light of the Home.”[4]
The society crest includes a shield with a castle that symbolizes home, a pelican that presents family, and a horn of plants that symbolizes nutrition. Above is a scroll with the Greek letters ΦΥΟ.[4]
Phi Upsilon Omicron's badge features a candle which represents light.[4] Its colors are cream, gold, and purple.[4] Cream symbolized honor and integrity, gold represents light, and violet represents the society's flower.[4] Its flower is the violet.[4]
Its semiannual journal is The Candle.[1][2] It was first published in November 1915.[5]
Membership
Eligible undergraduate members are majoring and family and consumer sciences and have completed 40 hours with a rank in the top 35 percent of their class.[1][2] Graduate students in family and consumer science are eligible for membership if they have complete twelve hours with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.[1][2]
Governance
Phi Upsilon Omicron is overseen by its national council, consisting of a president, president-elect, executive director, alumni councilor, adviser councilor, finance chair, region councilors, the collegiate chair, and collegiate representatives.[6] The national council meets in even-numbered years at a national conclave.[6] Its executive board oversees the society's affairs between the meetings of national council and conclaves.[6] It consists of the national president, national president-elect, alumni councilor, the region councilor chair, the national collegiate chair, and the finance chair, with the executive director serving as an ex-officio member.[6]
Phi Upsilon Omicron's national headquarters is in Bowling Green, Kentucky.[6]
Chapters
Phi Upsilon Omicron has 61 active chapters.[7]
Notable members
- Helen W. Atwater, home economist and editor
- Rajammal P. Devadas, nutritionist and former chancellor of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women,
- Florence Fallgatter, educator and home economist
- Lois Lampe, botanist and educator
- Abby Marlatt, nutritionist and civil rights activist