Activities
Society of Physics Students (Howard Chapter)
The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a professional association explicitly designed for students. Membership, through collegiate chapters, is open to anyone interested in physics. The only requirement for membership is that you be interested in physics. Besides physics majors, our members include majors in chemistry, computer science,engineering, geology, mathematics, medicine, and other fields.
Within SPS is housed Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society, which elects members on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. This unique two-in-one society operates within the American Institute of Physics, an umbrella organization for ten other professional science societies.
Purpose and Mission
The SPS exists to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional community. Course work develops only one range of skills. Other skills needed to flourish professionally include effective communication and personal interactions, leadership experience, establishing a personal network of contacts, presenting scholarly work in professional meetings and journals, and outreach services to the campus and local communities.
Locally,regionally, nationally, and internationally, the SPS offers the opportunity for these important enrichments to the student’s experience.
History
The Society of Physics Students was formed in 1968 with a constitution that combined its two "parent" organizations, The AIP Student Sections and the Sigma Pi Sigma honor society. SPS now has over 700 chapters on campuses across the country. About 5,000 students take part in chapter activities each year, making SPS the fourth largest physics society in the country. The associated honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma, now exists in about 450 of those chapters with over 75,000 inductees throughout its history.
Courtesy of the American Institute of Physics
Howard University Student Association
The Howard University Student Association (HUSA) was established in 1961and adopted its constitution in January of 1977. Our purpose is to provide input into the University's decision making process; to act as spokesperson for the students; and to maintain communications concerning student's interests and concerns in all of the schools and colleges.
HUSA includes within its domain the entire student body; a legislative branch known as the General Assembly which consists of all representatives of the Undergraduate Student Assembly (UGSA) and the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA); a judicial branch known as the Policy Board which interprets the HUSA constitution; an the executive branch, administered by the President and Vice President. All officers are elected every spring for a one year term.
Living in Washington, DC
Rich in cultural, scientific, educational, and business resources, the Washington metropolitan area acts as a stimulus to the intellect, the spirit, the soul. Living in Washington is quite a learning experience.