About Phi Upsilon Omicron

Phi Upsilon Omicron is a national honor society in Family and Consumer Sciences. Its purposes are to:

• recognize and encourage academic excellence
• develop qualities of professional and personal leadership
• provide opportunities for service to the profession
• encourage professional and personal commitment to the area of family and consumer sciences

Founded in 1910 at the University of Minnesota, there are currently 59 different Phi U chapters in the United States and one international chapter and over 87,000 members.  

HONOR SOCIETY ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

I. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION

Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. (Phi U), national honor society in family and consumer sciences, was the first national student organization in family and consumer sciences. The governing power of the honor society is vested in a Conclave of Delegates from collegiate and alumni chapters which meets in even-numbered years. Conclave meetings are open to all initiated members of the honor society--collegiate, alumni, and honorary. The meeting time and place for Conclave are determined by National Council. 

The National Council of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. handles the administration of the honor society in the interim between Conclaves. Members of National Council include: President, President-Elect, Executive Director, Editor, Alumni Councilor, Advisor Councilor, Finance Chairperson, 9 District Councilors, Collegiate Chairperson and Collegiate Representatives.

The National Council meetings are held annually at a time and place recommended by National Council. In Conclave years, it is customary to hold a meeting of National Council just prior to and immediately following Conclave.

The Executive Board conducts the affairs of the honor society between the meetings of National Council and Conclaves. The Executive Board consists of the National President, National President-Elect, Alumni Councilor, the District Councilor Chairperson, the National Collegiate Chairperson, and the Finance Chairperson with the Executive Director, and Editor serving as ex-officio members.

Phi Upsilon Omicron participates in the Coordinating Council of Family and Consumer Sciences Honor Societies with Kappa Omicron Nu and is an active voting member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

II. DISTRICT ORGANIZATION

All collegiate and alumni chapters are assigned to geographic districts, subject to change with changes in the honor society. Districts are represented on National Council by District Councilors and Collegiate Representatives.

The District Councilor serves as liaison between National Council and individual chapters by maintaining close contact with chapters in the district through visits, correspondence, and other forms of communication.

III. CHAPTERS

Chapters of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. have been established, through a petitioning process, at accredited institutions across the country offering a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences. Each chapter consists of undergraduate and, in some cases, graduate student members.

Alumni chapters are composed of alumni and honorary members of the honor society. One of their roles is to provide support to nearby collegiate chapters.

IV. PHI UPSILON OMICRON EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

The Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc. was incorporated in 1970 to administer the scholarships, fellowships, awards, and professional programs of the honor society. The Foundation stimulates collection of funds to support national scholarships, fellowships, and special awards, and serves as a vehicle to receive funds given by collegiate and alumni members and chapters as well as other individuals and groups.

The Educational Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors consisting of: four Directors elected at-large from the alumni membership; the National President of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc.; the National President-Elect; the immediate Past President; and two representatives from collegiate chapters who are chosen by district rotation from collegiate members of the National Council of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. The Phi Upsilon Omicron Executive Director is a member of the Board of Directors. The Editor is an ex-officio member.

The Directors-at-large are elected for terms of four years each; two of the four terms expire every two years on Conclave year, or as soon thereafter as a successor is elected. The national Nominating Committee of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. shall present nominations for Directors-at-large for vote on the same ballot as for President-Elect of the honor society. No elected Director shall serve more than two consecutive terms. The collegiate representatives shall serve for a term of one year.

A biennial meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held in Conclave years. Special meetings may be called at the request of the Chairperson or any three Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to vote. There shall be no vote by proxy.

The elected officers of the Foundation shall include a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and Secretary (typically the Executive Director of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc.). A Treasurer (i.e., the Executive Director of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc.) shall be appointed.

Annual Reward Recipients

Kristen Galow was selected to receive the Geraldine Clewell Senior Award, awarded to an outstanding Phi Upsilon Omicron senior for exemplary service to the local chapter.

Michele Van Hal was awarded the Margaret Jerome Sampson Scholarship.

Congratulations to both of you!