THE MORTAR BOARD'S PURPOSE IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SELF-AWARENESS OF ITS MEMBERS, TO PROMOTE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AMONG ALL PEOPLES, TO EMPHASIZE THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN, TO SUPPORT THE IDEALS OF THE UNIVERSITY, TO ADVANCE THE SPIRIT OF SCHOLARSHIP, TO RECOGNIZE AND ENCOURAGE LEADERSHIP, TO PROVIDE SERVICE, AND TO ESTABLISH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A MEANINGFUL EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A GROUP.