Phi Beta Kappa (Beta of Kansas chapter) records

Identity elements

Reference code

Level of description

Collection

Title

Phi Beta Kappa (Beta of Kansas chapter) records

Date(s)

  • 1924-2013 (Creation)

Extent

3.00 Linear Feet, 2.00 Boxes

Name of creator

Administrative history

Phi Beta Kappa was first established at the College of William and Mary in 1776 making it the oldest honor society in the country.  Other chapters were established at colleges and universities around the nation with the Beta of Kansas chapter being formally chartered at Kansas State University on February 11, 1974.  Thirty-five faculty members and twenty-four students were the charter members of the organization.  Requirements for induction are for the student to be working on a bachelor’s degree in the College of Arts & Sciences.  Only juniors and seniors are accepted and they must have a 3.7 GPA and have completed 90 credit hours.  The students must also have taken a diverse group of courses across the liberal arts including language, mathematics, humanities, social and natural sciences.
The Beta of Kansas chapter awards the Dudley Williams Sophomore Book Prize.  This prize is awarded to sophomores who meet the high academic standards of Phi Beta Kappa.  The Beta chapter also sponsors various speakers to give lectures at Kansas State University.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The Phi Beta Kappa, Beta of Kansas chapter, records include materials documenting the local and national organizations.  The local chapter began in 1974, and records pre-dating that year include national records such as constitutions, by-laws, newsletters and other publications, a history, manuals, and letterhead.
The local Beta of Kansas chapter includes organizational operating records such as minutes, officer records, financial records, membership rolls, and chapter correspondence.  These local records also include society honors records such as initiation rites, speeches, and honors banquets.
A letter of note is one from Aldous Huxley responding to a request for him to speak.

System of arrangement

The records are in their original order.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

No access restriction: All materials are open for research.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Collection contains three accessions U1995.05, U1995.06, and U2013.18.  The first accession came from Robert Kruh in 1995, the second accession was in the archives before 1983, and the third accession came from chapter secretary Stephen Kiefer on 21 June 2013.

Immediate source of acquisition

Acqusition Source: Robert Kruh and Beta of Kansas chapter
Acqusition Method: Donation.
Acqusition Date: 19950224

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Appraisal criteria for these materials include the organization's affiliation with Kansas State University, the importance of documenting the university's honor societies, and the longevity of the local chapter at the university.

Accruals

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

Related descriptions

Specialized notes

  • Citation: Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date[, Phi Beta Kappa (Beta of Kansas chapter) records, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.

Alternative identifier(s)

Archon Collection ID

71

Description control element

Rules or conventions

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Sources used

Archivist's note

Finding Aid Author: James W. Smith
Processing Info: Project archivist James Smith processed and described materials in November 2013.
Publication Date: 2013-12-03

Access points

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Accession area