Phi Upsilon Omicron Inc.

Phi Upsilon Omicron Inc. is a nonprofit organization serving as a scholastic honor society in the United States. It is dedicated to recognizing and promoting academic excellence in the field of family and consumer sciences.

History

Founded on February 10, 1909, at the University of Minnesota, Phi Upsilon Omicron was the first national student organization in family and consumer sciences. It was established to honor students of home economics, now known as family and consumer sciences.

Purpose

The society aims to recognize and encourage academic excellence, develop professional and personal leadership, provide service opportunities, and foster commitment to the advancement of family and consumer sciences. It is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and formerly affiliated with the Professional Panhellenic Association.

Membership and Eligibility

To be eligible for membership, undergraduate students must major in family and consumer sciences, have completed at least 40 credit hours, and rank in the top 35% of their class. Graduate students are eligible if they have completed 12 hours with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Governance

Governance is overseen by a National Council consisting of various officers and councilors. The council manages the society's affairs, with meetings held annually. An Executive Board conducts affairs between council meetings and national conclaves, which occur every two years.

Chapters and Organizational Structure

Phi Upsilon Omicron operates through a network of collegiate and alumni chapters across the United States. There are currently 61 active chapters. Chapters are organized into geographic regions, with each region represented on the National Council.

Educational Foundation

The Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation administers scholarships, fellowships, and awards to promote academic excellence. It was established in 1970 and plays a critical role in supporting members' educational pursuits.

Symbols and Publications

The society's Greek letters, ΦΥΟ, represent the first, second, and last words of the Greek phrase meaning "The Light of the Home." The official publication is The Candle, a semiannual journal published since 1915.

Notable Members

Prominent members include Helen W. Atwater, Rajammal P. Devadas, Florence Fallgatter, Lois Lampe, and Abby Marlatt, who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.