Upsilon Pi Epsilon

Template:Short description Template:Infobox fraternity Upsilon Pi Epsilon ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is the first honor society dedicated to the computing and information disciplines. Informally known as UPE, Upsilon Pi Epsilon was founded in 1967, at Texas A&M University. It has more than 300 chapters worldwide.

AboutEdit

Upsilon Pi Epsilon was established at Texas A&M University in January 1967 as an honor society for computer information.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was founded with 22 original members.<ref name=":0" /> Dr. Dan Drew, head of the university's Department of Computer Science, was the society's advisor and, later, its national president.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite news</ref>

The purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon was "the promotion of high scholarship and original investigation in the field of computer science and the advancement of the art and profession of computer science and related endeavors."<ref name=":2" /> It al recognized talent and sought to maintain high standards in the field.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> It was the first society developed for computer science in the United States.<ref name=":3" />

A second chapter, Alpha of Pennsylvania, was formed at Pennsylvania State University in December 1969.<ref name=":2" /> The group expanded to other colleges in the United States and abroad, becoming the first international honor society for the computer and information disciplines.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

Upsilon Pi Epsilon became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies in 1997.<ref name=":4" /> Upsilon Pi Epsilon is endorsed by the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society (IEEE-CS).<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It was also a founding member of the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies.<ref name=":5" />

In 2012, Upsilon Pi Epsilon had 247 active collegiate chapters and 235 active alumni chapters.<ref name=":4" /> That same year, its annual initiations totaled 2,138 and its total membership was 229,800.<ref name=":4" />

SymbolsEdit

The Greek name Upsilon Pi Epsilon was selected for the first letters of the Greek words for computer, information, and science.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The UPE emblem or key features three symbols that are important historically to the computing and information disciplines: the zero, the one, and the abacus.<ref name=":6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The numbers are arranged as eleven binary bits. During the society's initiation ceremony, inductees sit in front of a table that features nine lit candles and two unlit candles that are arranged as the eleven binary bits of its key.<ref name=":6" />

The colors of Upsilon Pi Epsilon are maroon and white.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Its symbol is the abacus. Its quarterly publication is the UPE NewsBrief.<ref name=":4" />

ActivitiesEdit

Upsilon Pi Epsilon holds an annual convention.<ref name=":4" /> The society gives out several scholarships for its members and those who are active student members.<ref name=":4" /> It also cosponsors the International Collegiate Programming Contest with the Association of Computing Machinery.<ref name=":4" />

MembershipEdit

Membership is available to undergraduate and graduate students in computer science who have a high grade point average.<ref name=":0" /> Eligible undergraduates must complete 48 credits, rank in the upper third of their class, and have a 3.25 GPA overall.<ref name=":4" /> Graduate students must have completed 15 units of graduate coursework in computing and must be in the top third of their class.<ref name=":4" /> Alumni who majored in computer science can also be offered membership into the fraternity, along with faculty members.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> Faculty must have taught in field for one year.<ref name=":4" /> Membership in UPE is lifetime.

ChaptersEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}Upsilon Pi Epsilon has more than 300 chapters in the United States and overseas.<ref name=":5" />