Phi Upsilon Omicron (), sometimes called Phi U, is a scholastic

honor society In the United States, an honor society is a rank organization that recognizes excellence among peers. Numerous societies recognize various fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the National Honor Society of the Boy Sc ...

that recognizes academic achievement among students in the field of

family and consumer science Home economics, also called domestic science or family and consumer sciences, is a subject concerning human development, personal and family finances, consumer issues, housing and interior design, nutrition and food preparation, as well as texti ...

History

The society was founded at

University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota, formally the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, (UMN Twin Cities, the U of M, or Minnesota) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Tw ...

on February 10, 1909 as the first national student organization in family and consumer sciences. It was admitted to the

Association of College Honor Societies The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is a predominantly American, voluntary association that serves a number of functions with respect to national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies. ACHS coordinates member organizations, fa ...

in 1979.

Governance and Structure

Governing power of the honor society is vested in a Conclave of Delegates from collegiate and alumni chapters. The Conclave meets in even-numbered years, with meetings open to all initiated members including collegiate, alumni, and honorary. The National Council determines each Conclave meeting time and place. The National Council of Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. handles the administration of the honor society in the interim between Conclaves. Members of the National Council include: President, President-Elect, Executive Director, Alumni Councilor, Adviser Councilor, Finance Chair, 4 Region Councilors, the Collegiate Chair and Collegiate Representatives. The National Council meetings are held annually at a time and place recommended by National Council. In Conclave years it is customary to hold a meeting of National Council just prior to and immediately following the Conclave. The Executive Board conducts the affairs of the honor society between the meetings of National Council and Conclaves. The Executive Board consists of the National President, National President-Elect, Alumni Councilor, the Region Councilor Chair, the National Collegiate Chair, and the Finance Chair with the Executive Director serving as an ex-officio member. Phi Upsilon Omicron is supported by a foundation, the Phi Upsilon Omicron Foundation, Inc., which was established in 1970. It provides scholarships and grants to the Fraternity and is governed by a separate board, elected from the general membership. Phi Upsilon Omicron participates in the Coordinating Council of Family and Consumer Sciences Honor Societies with

Kappa Omicron Nu Kappa Omicron Nu () is a college honor society, based in the United States, for students in human sciences. Kappa Omicron Nu chapters are located at colleges and universities that offer a strong human sciences program. Its mission is to promote e ...

and is an active voting member of the

.Phi Upsilon Omicron Bylaws and History
, from the ΦΥΟ National Website, accessed 26 March 2016

Chapters

Phi Upsilon Omicron honor society has 61 active chapters across the United States, and a total membership of approximately 97,000.

Traditions

Phi Upsilon Omicron's colors are white, yellow and purple

White White is the lightness, lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully diffuse reflection, reflect and scattering, scatter all the ...

Yellow Yellow is the color between green and orange on the spectrum of light. It is evoked by light with a dominant wavelength of roughly 575585 nm. It is a primary color in subtractive color systems, used in painting or color printing. In ...

and

Violet Violet may refer to: Common meanings * Violet (color), a spectral color with wavelengths shorter than blue * One of a list of plants known as violet, particularly: ** ''Viola'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants Places United States * Vio ...

. The symbolism of these colors is explained: "The gold is a form of yellow symbolizing light, the cream for the white of honor and integrity, and the violet for the Society's flower, the

violet Violet may refer to: Common meanings * Violet (color), a spectral color with wavelengths shorter than blue * One of a list of plants known as violet, particularly: ** ''Viola'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants Places United States * Vio ...

." Society members receive several recurring publications, including ''The Candle,'' a semi-annual official publication.

References

{{Authority control Association of College Honor Societies Honor societies University of Minnesota Student organizations established in 1909 1909 establishments in Minnesota Former members of Professional Fraternity Association

History

Governance and Structure

Chapters

Traditions

See also

References