Tau Beta Pi
Tau Beta Pi was created over 100 years ago, to "mark in a fitting manner"
students of exemplary character and scholarship in engineering disciplines. At Cal State
LA, our Tau Beta Pi chapter is comprised of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering
students that were elected to membership in their junior or senior year. Although students
are invited to join through their scholastic achievements, based on their standing either
in the top 1/8th of the junior class or the top 1/5th of the senior class, they are only
elected if they demonstrate exemplary character by an unselfish commitment to the chapter,
the school, and the community. Thus it is more than an honor society that awards you a
certificate for good grades and then absolves you from commitment. Tau Beta Pi is a major
commitment that will result in a lifetime of rewards, both professionally and personally.
With over 388,000 lifetime members, many of whom go on to be great leaders in engineering
and science, you will have a common bond with Tau Beta Pi alumni that you will meet in
your professional career. One measure of how meaningful it is to become a Tau Bate is that
the national officers, district directors, and seminar facilitators are all unpaid
volunteers, wishing to pay back the organization for the personal development and success
their membership has brought them.
President's Message
I would like to give a warm welcome to all new and continuing students in the College of
Engineering & Technology. The Engineering & Technology Student Council (ETSC) is
the coordinating body for active student organizations within the College of Engineering
& Technology. ETSC is involved in various events during the school year, including the
annual Engineering & Technology Week and open houses. We are an academic, social, and
service-oriented organization. Please refer to the Mission Statement on page 3.
At the time of publication, we have nine active organizations that participate as
voting members of ETSC. These student organizations range in purpose from professional and
technical, such as ASCE, IEEE, and NAIT, to academic honors, such as HKN and TBP. Along
with the voting student organizations, there is an ETSC board comprised of a team of ten
officers. These officers are usually elected at the beginning of spring quarter, with
terms lasting until the end of the following spring quarter (the one quarter overlap
allows for guidance of the new board).
I encourage all students of the College of E & T to get involved in student
activities, as it is not only a learning experience, but an unspoken requirement in that
future job interview. Please refer to the list of contacts on page 15 if you are
interested in getting involved.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
IEEE was founded in 1884. The IEEE is a worldwide technical professional society
devoted to advancing the theory and application of electrical engineering, electronics and
computing. We are the world's largest technical professional society. IEEE tries to
promote the personal and professional goals of it's members by sponsoring and/or promoting
Electrical Engineering students to participate in such as: field trips to engineering
companies, conventions like Wescon and computer shows; Micro Mouse competitions,
Electronic paper contest, during the fall, winter, and spring quarters IEEE sponsors guest
speakers at our general meetings, which are usually held on Tuesdays at 12 O' clock.
ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers
First off let us start by introducing ourselves. ASCE is a national organization
dedicated to the improvement and recognition of the civil engineering field. At Cal State,
we have our local student chapter that competes in regional competitions every year. We
also organize field trips and have guest speakers that relate to current topics in civil
engineering. I would like to take this opportunity now to welcome everyone to another
great year and to welcome all continuing and new members and also invite all potential new
members to join us. This year promises to be one of the best yet. As I look forward
towards our upcoming Regional Conference, I see nothing but good things for our team. This
year we plan to try new techniques and strategies which we've learned from previous
conferences to better our team's performance.
As many of you know, ASCE's yearly Regional Conference is the main event which we work
up to all year long. By winning our conference we then have a chance to go to the National
Competition. The two main events that take up most of our time getting ready for are the
Concrete Canoe race and the Steel Bridge competition, both of which require a lot of time
and dedication. This year, we're trying a new building technique for the canoe.
The Steel Bridge competition also proves to be as exciting. By using ideas and
techniques gleaned from last year's conference we hope to construct a very competitive
steel bridge. Some of the things learned are new structural shapes and building
techniques.
These plans and techniques will make for a very competitive conference which everyone
will enjoy. This past year's conference was held in Las Vegas in UNIV. Of the 15 or so
universities that competed, we placed fairly well with our canoe and placed third overall
with our steel bridge. Above all else though, it was an incredible learning experience for
all. But it only worked because everyone participates to their fullest potential.
Once again, let me welcome everyone back. If you would like any information regarding
the conference and our teams, feel free to ask the president, Steve Zevalos, any other
ASCE member, or leave a message for us in the Department of Civil Engineering office with
Donna.
SWE
Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) was originally founded in 1919 by two primary
groups: women engineering students at Drexel University in Philadelphia, and women
engineering graduates and students of Cooper Union and the City College of New York. By
1984, the Society of Women Engineers became nationally known and by February 13, 1952, it
was officially incorporated as a non-profit educational service organization in the
District of Columbia.
SWE was established, organized and has been run by students who share the same
educational goals. SWE Student Chapter helps women to network with the SWE Professional
Organization and the business environment. SWE tries to help women find jobs after
graduating and provide internships during school. SWE organization was established to
represent women in the professional environment due to women being underrepresented. The
percentage of women applying to engineering schools has been increasing after the arrival
of SWE Student Chapter to the colleges and university; it has increased from 5% to 30% in
some universities. The average percent of women applying to engineering schools nationwide
is 13%; the percentage at Cal State LA is 11%.
Future Goals
- Adopt a high school providing tutorial services to all students.
- Establish a SWE Club within a high school.
- Host a Regional Conference.
- Conduct a leadership retreat.
SWE will continue to thrive and become successful with the support of students, and
professional engineers.
ITSC
ITE
Rocket Society
NSBE
National Society of Black Engineers
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), with more than 8,000 members, is one of
the largest student-managed organizations in the country. NSBE's mission is to increase
the number of culturally responsible Black engineers to excel academically, succeed
professionally and positively impact the community. NSBE is comprised of more than 190
chapters on college and university campuses and more than 100 Alumni Extension chapters
nationwide. These chapters are divided into six regions. NSBE had its genesis at a
national conference planned and hosted by the Society of Black Engineers at Purdue
University in April 1975. Black engineering students from the United States and Canada
attended this event. From the meeting of concerned students and educators, NSBE was born.
In 1976, NSBE was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Texas.
The objectives of the organization are to:
- Stimulate and develop student interest in the various engineering disciplines.
- Strive to increase the number of minority students studying engineering at both the
undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Encourage members to seek advanced degrees in engineering or related fields and to
obtain professional engineering registrations.
- Encourage and advise minority youth in their pursuit of an engineering career.
- Promote public awareness of engineering and the opportunities for Blacks and other
minorities in that profession.
- Function as a representative body on issues and developments that affect the careers of
Black engineers.
New and innovative project ideas are generated and implemented throughout the year on
the chapter, regional and national levels.
Some of NSBE's present activities include tutorial programs, group study sessions, high
school/junior high outreach programs, technical seminars and workshops, a national
communications network (NSBENET), two national magazines (NSBE magazine and the NSBE
Bridge), an internal newsletter, a professional newsletter, resume books, career fairs,
awards, banquets and annual national conference. The future of the National Society of
Black Engineers is unlimited.
SHESS
Society of Hispanic Engineering and Science Students
The Society of Hispanic Engineering and Science Students (S.H.E.S.S.) was established,
organized and has always been run by students who share a relentless drive to achieve
excellence. The objectives of this organization are to develop exceptional leadership
abilities among members, to promote academic excellence, and to increase the number of
graduates in the fields of engineering and science.
Students are given the opportunity to develop leadership abilities through the
administration of club programs. These programs range from fund-raisers and career days to
technical report competitions, awards, and installation banquets. These leadership skills
are proven contributors to our members future success as students and later as
professionals.
Through community outreach programs, members are given a chance to stimulate and
nourish interests within younger students in obtaining a higher education. S.H.E.S.S.
members help younger students realize their full potential while they develop their own
professional skills. Endeavors such as these address various areas with one sweep,
efficiently and effectively.
S.H.E.S.S. has been and will always be committed to the betterment of our communities.
S.H.E.S.S. members believe in the club's ideology and anticipate that the benefits of such
an organization will be felt by generations to come.
Eta Kappa Nu, the International Honor Society for Electrical Engineers has grown
steadily since its establishment at the University of Illinois in 1904. Today, Eta Kappa
Nu chapters are recognized throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe.
The aim of Eta Kappa Nu is to stimulate and reward a badge of distinction to scholars.
Outstanding persons are elected to Eta Kappa Nu primarily from the junior and senior
classes of accredited undergraduate programs. Graduate students and distinguished
professional engineers are also eligible. Eligibility depends on marked ability, as
evidence by scholarship, personal character, useful voluntary services and distinguished
accomplishments, all of which indicate that the candidate will be or is a success in his
or her profession.
NAIT
National Association of Industrial Technology
As a child I remember finding a key and thinking that it could open any lock. I went
out and tried to open every lock I saw! Well I found that it didn't open anything, but I
kept that key because I knew that it had to open something.
Now think of yourself as the key and NAIT as a lock. That is, you are like the key that
I found as a child and NAIT is like the lock that I was never able to unlock. You are like
the key in that only you can unlock the potential of NAIT -- the power of a key is its
ability to unlock potential.
Students must realize that the willingness to place themselves in a position to grow is
one of their strengths. Once the student unlocks NAIT, they are provided access to a
professional association. This professional doorway is a link to technology based
organizations, including those associated with electronics, aviation, education, fire
protection, automotive, graphics, management and manufacturing. One of the major goals of
NAIT is to encourage personal and educational advancement within colleges, universities,
businesses, and industry.
So, what is NAIT? You are NAIT. You are the key to its success. NAIT is the potential
and the opportunity that you unlock. These are not just words but the reality of those
many professionals who have already worked to unlock the power of NAIT. That power can
only be found in becoming involved in a professional association.
SAE
Society of Automotive Engineers
On the international level, SAE is dedicated to the task of advancing mobility by way
of continued research, development, design, manufacture and utilization of land, sea, air
and space vehicles. SAE has more than 60,000 members from all engineering and scientific
disciplines.
At the collegiate level, SAE assists your development as a professional engineer by
providing you with many opportunities. SAE publishes technical papers and books that may
be used as research materials to expand your technical expertise. There are also regional
meetings and exhibits that can put you in touch with professional engineers. Through them
you can learn the ins and outs of the job market and what will be expected of you as a
professional engineer. Through active participation in club activities, you will develop
valuable leadership and communication skills.
Here at CSULA, there are several activities the club will participate in this year. We
plan to have several industry experts visit the campus and give presentations about their
particular field of expertise. Hopefully, we can also organize some field trips to visit
these people at their places of work and see what the professionals are up to. The club
will also be active in on-campus activities including Engineering and Technology Week
coming up in February. The contest we will be sponsoring should be a lot of fun. There are
plans for an end-of-the-year banquet at which there will be food, music, and certificates
of recognition to be awarded. However, the real news is that we are going to compete once
again in the Mini Baja competition. This SAE-sponsored off-road race will take place in
April at the University of Texas in El Paso. It requires that we build the car. We do not
have much time, and we need all the help we can get. Can you face the challenge?
The CSLA chapter of SAE has been recognized since 1966. At the most recent count we
have 26 members and continue to grow. Membership fee is $10.00 per year and includes a
membership certificate, a lapel pin, employment assistance, discounts on SAE publications,
fee registration of SAE meetings, exhibits, and subscription to either Automotive
Engineering or Aerospace Engineering magazine. We meet every Thursday at 1:00 pm in
E&T C155. Stop by and check us out. |
