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Frequently Asked Questions About Phi Theta KappaBefore we start, a few basic things about this organization:
Phi Theta Kappa (φθK) is an international academic honor society for community and two-year college students. It is not a club; it has academic requirements for membership (similar to being named to the Dean's List or the President's List, or Phi Beta Kappa -the senior university academic honor society).
The Greek letters φ θ K are pronounced " Phi Theta Kappa ", but it is incorrect and inappropriate to call this organization PTK -because you do not use letters of one alphabet to stand for letters of another alphabet.
There are 11 basic questions:
1) What
about my GPA?
You enter the organization with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA)
based on the most recently completed quarter at De Anza (DAC); under the
assumption you become active (which might
cause your gpa to drop), you are allowed some leeway: once a member, you must
maintain a minimum 3.25 CGPA.
What happens if at the end of this (or any) term my CGPA
falls below 3.25?
You would be considered on probation, and you would have the
next grading period to bring your CGPA back up to at least 3.25. HOWEVER:
If at the end of that next term you successfully raise your
CGPA to 3.25 or more, you are back to being a member ‘in good standing’, and
all is well.
If at the end of that next term your CGPA is still below
3.25, then your membership is revoked.
If at the end of the current term your CGPA is below 3.25,
but next term you leave De Anza (transfer to another school, work full time,
essentially stop attending DAC), then you are considered still a member of Phi
Theta Kappa, but ‘not in good standing’. Should you return to DAC at some time
in the future, you are still under the requirement to bring your CGPA back up
to 3.25 (as described above).
2) What
are my obligations as a member?
Primarily to keep your CGPA at 3.25 or above. There are no
other obligations. Everything else you do in the organization is voluntary and at your own
discretion.
3) Do
I have to attend chapter meetings?
No. Participation in any and all chapter-related events is
voluntary.
4) How
am I informed about what the chapter is doing?
There is both a chapter email listserv and a chapter website
http://asaptk.org When you become a member you are placed on the listserv by
your advisor. Instructions about the listserv are sent to you by the advisor. 5) What
types of scholarships are available through Phi Theta Kappa?
There are basically two types: those offered by Phi Theta
Kappa (“in-house” scholarships) and those offered by 4-year colleges &
universities (“transfer” scholarships). Among the in-house scholarships are the All-USA
Community College Academic Team, CocaCola, Hites .
University Transfer Scholarships (of which there are over
$35 million available exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members) are actually
provided by the university to which you apply, but essentially you have to
contact the university directly. You can check the list of schools that provide
such scholarships on the Headquarters (HQ) website http://www.ptk.org/?q=become-a-member/scholarships
Once you become a member, you will have access to more
details of the scholarship application process. 6) Do
I get priority registration at DAC?
Regrettably this is not (yet) offered by the college to our
members.
7) If
I am taking classes at Foothill College, can I apply for membership?
Each college has its own chapter; your membership here at DAC is based only on your classes, grades, and
units taken at DAC. In short, Foothill (or any other college’s) grades/units
etc. do not count towards membership criteria here at DAC.
8) How long does my
membership last/Do I have to pay any other dues/What happens to my membership
should I transfer to another (community) college?
Your membership is lifetime, and you pay dues only when you
first join. The dues consist of three parts: International, Regional, and
Chapter. Once you leave De Anza, you are considered an alumni of Phi Theta Kappa (just as you would be an alumni of De
Anza). If you go to another community college, your membership can transfer
with you –which means you would not have to pay Int’l or Regional (if you're still in NV/CA Region) dues. You may
be asked by that chapter to pay their local dues –which might be charged once a
year, once a term, or just once-whatever their local dues structure happens to
be.
9) What
are some of the activities of the chapter/region/organization?
There are three conventions during the year which members
can attend: the Fall (October) NV/CA Regional
Leadership-Through-Honors-in-Action, the Spring (March) NV/CA Regional
Convention, and the Spring (April) International Convention. The chapter
reimburses you for your registration cost, but other costs (primarily hotel and
transportation) may have to be paid by each attendee. (There is also a fourth conference: a week-long International Honors Institute offered by Headquarters, but it is always in June, sometimes just before our finals. You may certainly attend if you so desire. You register directly with Headquarters.)
There is an Honors-in-Action project which is created by the
officers of the chapter and is related to the academic honors topic. This is a
year-long project, which begins in January and ends in December (the timeframe
coincides with the Phi Theta Kappa calendar year).
There is a College Project that the chapter organizes and executes
in conjunction with the College Administration. Chapter officers discuss and
establish with the Administration an annual college project, and then the
chapter ‘makes it happen’. Usually this is either a college-wide or
community-wide service project.
There are other service projects that we typically do, some
in conjunction with other chapters. These vary depending on the desires and
interests of the officers and members. It is at chapter meetings that these
kinds of issues are discussed and decided.
10) What
formal college recognition do I get for being a member of Phi Theta Kappa?
Towards the end of the quarter in which you become a member,
there is an induction ceremony held in your honor. Information about the
ceremony is sent to you by the advisor.
A notation is made on your transcript that you are a member
of Phi Theta Kappa; one is also made on the June graduation program –assuming you file
for and participate in graduation. (Don’t forget that you also get a membership
card and certificate sent directly to you from HQ)
11) What
other benefit do I derive from membership?
Because of the long history of Phi Theta Kappa (over 90
years) and the leadership and service that chapter members have given to their
respective colleges and communities, many universities and businesses
anticipate enrolling or hiring an individual who not only has achieved a high
level of academic success, but who is also highly motivated, willing to take on
responsibilities, and is successful in leadership and service. To some extent
you benefit from the work and reputation that others before you have
accomplished; once you become a member you should assume a sense of
responsibility to continue that trend so that those who follow you will be able
to enjoy the benefits of your efforts. And so this can continue in time….
Return to Phi Theta Kappa
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