Libraries
Identity elements
Reference code
Level of description
Title
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
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