What is Delta Alpha Pi?
Delta Alpha Pi is an international academic honor society, and the first organization to recognize college students with disabilities for their academic achievement. The honor society was founded in 2004 at East Stroudsburg University. Today, there are 27 active chapters at colleges and universities in 15 different states from coast to coast.
What Does Delta Alpha Pi Represent?
Delta- D for Disability, but also the triangle, symbol of strength. Members of Delta Alpha Pi demonstrate strength as leaders on campus to help break down the barriers of negativism. Also, they serve as mentors and role models for other student with disabilities.
Alpha-A for Achievement. Alpha is the beginning and academic achievement must come first. But also, for advocacy because students must advocate for themselves before they can advocate for others. Members of Delta Alpha Pi enhance advocacy skills for themselves and for the rights of all individuals with disabilities to be included fully in society.
Pi-P for Pride, pride in academic achievement and in other accomplishments, not just students with disabilities but as members of the university community. Pi is a mathematical symbol that we all learned to use in elementary arithmetic classes. So, Pi is an appropriate symbol for education. Members of Delta Alpha Pi participate in activities designed to educate the community and society regarding the need to apply the principles of universal design.
What are Colors of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society?
The colors of the honor society are royal blue and gold. Blue represents perseverance and justice. Gold symbolizes the pursuit of excellence.
Does Springfield College have a Delta Alpha Pi Chapter?
The Academic Success Center of Springfield College has established the Zeta Upsilon chapter of Delta Alpha Pi. Its purpose is to celebrate academic excellence of college students with disabilities. The chapter advisor will actively engage with members to design activities to educate the campus community, celebrate inclusion, and help remove the stigma and negative perception of disability. Each academic year, the chapter will hold an initiation ceremony to induct new members into the honor society. Students should check with the Associate Director of Student Services at the Academic Success Center for detailed information on the honor society. Read about the Delta Alpha Pi Inaugural Ceremony here.
What are the qualifications for membership?
Membership is by invitation only and open to both undergraduate and graduate students at Springfield College who meet the following criteria:
- Students must have a documented disability and be registered with the Academic Success Center’s Disability & Accessibility Services.
- Students must demonstrate an interest in disability issues.
- Undergraduate students must have accumulated at least twenty-four (24) credits, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.10.
- Graduate students must have accumulated at least eighteen (18) credits and have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.30.
- Students are selected for membership in summer, fall, and spring semesters of each academic year contingent on the qualifications referenced above.
Students may visit the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society website to gather more information: http://deltaalphapihonorsociety.org/
What are the member privileges of the
Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society?
Members will have innumerable opportunities to exercise their leadership and advocacy skills by leading and participating in campus-wide disability awareness events. Members will also be publicly recognized at the induction reception for their high academic achievement and will receive a lapel pin, and a certification of membership suitable for framing. Honor cords are available for students to wear as honor regalia during the commencement ceremony in Springfield, MA and/or at the graduation celebrations at regional campuses. Another benefit includes the opportunity for undergraduate students to compete for scholarships.
How is the Delta Alpha Pi chapter governed?
Upon formation of the Eta Nu Chapter of Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, members shall elect officers to the chapter. Officers shall be elected by simple majority, using a secret ballot system. The elected positions will be President, Vice President/President Elect, Treasurer, and Secretary. The terms of office for president, treasurer, and secretary shall be one academic year. The term of vice-president/president-elect shall be one academic year followed by one academic year as president. The Director of the Academic Success Center will appoint a faculty or staff person to serve as advisor for consultation and to attend each of the general meetings. The chapter Executive Council which consists of the president, vice president/president elect, treasurer, secretary, along with the chapter advisor will manage the business of the chapter. The advisor acts as an ex-officio member of the Executive Council.