FALL 2007 Tau Sigma Harvest

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 FALL 2007

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Note from 1 From the Executive Director... Dr. Lee Colquitt “Recognizing and promoting across the country, it is our hope We are missing out if we don't Note from 1 the academic excellence and that we can accomplish our mis- capitalize on every opportunity Melanie Saunders involvement of transfer stu- sion—that being to help universi- we have to take advantage of this Tau Sigma 2 dents “ ties “recognize and promote the largely untapped resource. Approaches #50! As many of you know, I was a academic excellence and involve- I want to use a part of this col- ment of transfer students.” From SUNY transfer student at Auburn Uni- umn of our inaugural newsletter 2 There is an incredible amount of Cortland versity almost 25 years ago and to thank EVERY Tau Sigma advi- that was the genesis of my inter- talent and intelligence among the sor, co-advisor, officer, and hard- Upcoming 2 est in the transfer student ex- working member for serving Meetings perience. I have said many times your university and its transfers. that Auburn was (and still is) a Whatever success this organiza- From the College 3 of Charleston very warm and friendly school. tion enjoys is due to the extraor- However, back in the 80s, they dinary work being done by each It’s Scholarship 3 just didn’t know quite how to of you. Please know that Melanie Time reach transfers and assimilate and I would like to help you and them into the university. I’ve your chapters in any way we can. Tau Sigma 3 always suspected, and am now As we grow, we are learning Bulletin Board confident, that there are many every year about how we can Make Life Easier! 4 wonderful faculty and staff at improve. My hope is that we can universities all over the country transfer student population at all work together to make Tau who care a great deal about your school and we hope that Sigma National Honor Society

transfer students. As we estab- Tau Sigma has been a help to you and its chapters even better! as you try to serve this group. lish new Tau Sigma chapters - Lee Colquitt From the Director of Chapter Relations...

I began working in Tau Sigma derstand why a program like Tau great experience. I know Lee over a year ago and at the time Sigma has been so successful as it appreciates all the hard work you was really not quite sure what it helps to bond those students put into your chapters and I was and what to expect from this who did not arrive as freshmen hope I am making it a little bit position. Well, during this year I right out of high school. I wish easier for you! Please enjoy the have come to realize what a Tau Sigma had existed when I newsletter and remember... it great organization it is and how was in college! will only be as good as the infor- important it is to reach out to I have really enjoyed getting to mation each of you shares with transfer students. I, a former know so many of you and work- us! transfer student myself, can un- ing with all of you has been a -Melanie Saunders PAGE 2 Tau Sigma Approaching Number 50!

Back in the 1998-1999 school Auburn and Buffalo) estab- on it!). The states with the year, the first chapter of Tau lished and we are certain to largest number of chapters are Sigma was established at Au- get our 50th this year. Who New York with five and Texas burn University. In November, will it be?!?!?! There are sev- with four. We look forward 2000, Tau Sigma was pre- eral universities with Prelimi- to the day when we have a sented at the Seventh National nary Charter Information chapter established in every Conference on Students in forms submitted and approved state! Help us spread the Transition in Cincinnati, Ohio. and so it’s just a matter of word to other universities! The chapter that was estab- which one has their member- Also, advisors… if it happens lished that made us a ship process completed first! that you are leaving your “national” organization was the The 49 chapters established school for another position; 1) University at Buffalo (SUNY Who will be number represent 28 different states, please help us find a replace- Buffalo). FIFTY?!! from New York to Florida to ment for you, and 2) help us Since 2000, there have been 47 California to Hawaii (nothing in establish a chapter at your new additional chapters (beyond Alaska yet, but we’re working institution!

“At SUNY What’s Happening at SUNY Cortland

Cortland, At SUNY Cortland, mem- in a college-owned building A new initiative is our bers of our chapter serve on Main St. in downtown Transfer Buddy pro- members of our as mentors for our incom- Cortland. We offered gram. Tau Sigma members ing transfer students. They phone books, menus, and volunteered to be a buddy/ chapter serve as guide class finding tours other area resources to mentor to a new transfer mentors for our prior to the start of help students adjust to liv- student. They exchanged class. They help plan and ing in a new town. We had email/IM and kept in touch incoming attend socials at the begin- food from local restaurants over the first few weeks to ning of the year to help that students were able to help with the transition. transfer welcome new students and use their meal plans at, answer their ques- along with a raffle for gift From Carol Costell students. “ tions. This year, we had a certificates to those restau- SUNY Cortland welcome picnic and a social rants. Upcoming Meetings

Every year, I attend two or the Study of Transfer Students, If you plan to be at either of three meetings where FYE, Students in Transition, these meetings, please make a I think I can meet NODA, and ACPA/NASPA, to point to look me up! I’d enjoy some people who name a few. seeing you there. might be interested in This year, I will be attending Also, if there is a meeting that establishing a Tau the Students in Transition you think would be beneficial Sigma chapter. meeting in Cincinnati for me to attend, I’d enjoy Over the years, I have (November) and the Institute hearing about it. attended the annual for the Study of Transfer Stu- Lee Colquitt, Exec Dir meetings of the Institute for dents in Ft. Worth (January).

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3 College of Charleston

ning of each se- here, whether they were un- “Our Tau mester (this year happy with their first choice Sigs are an we added a or were denied admission out exceptional morning coffee of high school and have finally group of and bagel drop-in made it through the technical individu- for the early college route. All in all, our als.” birds). Some of Tau Sigs are an exceptional our Tau Sigs vol- group of individuals, and I was unteered to attend these not surprised at how many of drop-ins to socialize and con- them enthusiastically commit- One thing recently that might fab with the new transfer stu- ted to helping greet the new be of interest to other chap- dents. It went real well. Col- Cougars. ters: We have an eve- lege spirit among transfer stu- ning pizza drop-in for new dents is high. For the most -Ned Hartley This year we transfer students at the begin- part, they really want to be Transfer Counselor plan to award

more than the

$5,750.00 we It’s Scholarship Time! awarded last

As you know by now, the deadline It is very encouraging to review the to me electronically by November year. for accepting scholarship applica- applications as they come in and 16 (the Friday before Thanksgiving tions from each of our chapters is see the wonderful accomplishments week). Remember, you are al- approaching. One of the most of many of our members. lowed one chapter representative if rewarding things we’ve done as an Members… if you haven’t heard you had under 100 new members organization is to award scholar- about the scholarships available or this past year and two chapter ships to our most deserving mem- the process, make sure you get the representatives if you had 100+ bers. We hope and expect to in- information from your advisor! new members this past year. Call crease the scholarships offered or email if you have questions!!! each year. This year we plan to Advisors… make sure you keep up award more than the $5,750 we with the deadline! We will need awarded last year. your chapter’s application(s) sent

Tau Sigma Bulletin Board

Oct. -College of Charleston- Georgia Southern’s Tau Sigma points each, monthly events will Dash for Trash chapter will sponsor one home- be 10 points, and admissions of- coming king and queen! fice events will be 15 points. Plus Oct. –Georgia Southern there will be incentive giveaways Tau Sigma will be participating Member Point System Passed at for people with the most earned in Homeless and Hunger Week. Georgia Southern points! Please bring any non-perishable We would like you to stay in- items to the October chapter volved! To be considered an November– Auburn University meeting! active member, you will need a Tau Sigma chapter will help with minimum of 50 points per se- the “Senior Prom” at Azalea mester. Meetings will be 5 Place (a retirement home) Fall 2007 The purpose of Tau Sigma shall be to recognize the academic achievement of students transferring to a four -year academic institution and to encourage P.O. Box 1569 and promote the students’ involvement in the insti- Auburn, Alabama 36831-1569 tution to which they have transferred. Phone: 334-826-1071 Have questions or need help? Contact Melanie Fax: 334-826-1076 Saunders or Lee Colquitt by email at E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

We are on the web www.auburn.edu/tausigma

Make Life Easier!!! Let Us Help You With the Membership Mailing!

National is now handling the a list of the members, their If National conducts the mailing, membership mailings for those membership forms, the induc- then the National dues are $35 chapters who would like to hand tion materials (certificates and (with $5 going towards the costs it over to us. You may prefer to pins), a charter, honor cords, t- of the mailing) and the recom- conduct the membership mailing shirts, and a check for the local mended local dues are $10. If yourself, which is fine. How- dues. At that point, you will you decide to conduct the mail- ever, if you decide to allow Na- simply schedule a meeting for ing, then the National dues are tional to conduct the mailing, the members, elect officers, and $30 and we recommend the then you will simply need to the chapter will be off and run- local dues be $15 (with $5 going obtain the names, addresses, and ning! towards the cost of the mailing). email of those students who are eligible for membership and send Either way, the recommended them to Melanie Saunders in an dues for the students are $45 Excel spreadsheet. (unless your chapter chooses to have higher local dues) and they Upon receiving the students’ are paid ONLY ONCE. The information, we will contact the membership is a lifetime mem- students by mail, follow up with bership and the student can not email, and collect their member- lose their membership, even if ship forms and dues. After the National has Tau Sigma their GPA falls below what was deadline for sending in the mem- T-shirts and Honor Cords - $10.00 initially required. bership forms, we will send you each.