Student Organizations
Thrive at URI
The College
of Engineering at URI boasts a number of student organizations
that are designed to promote and support various facets of engineering
education and engineering students’ lives. Following is
a brief look at a few of these organizations and how they are
enriching the College of Engineering community.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers who wanted to create a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community. Today, the national organization continues its work to promote the development of Hispanics in engineering, science and other technical professions to achieve educational excellence, economic opportunity and social equity.
The SHPE came to URI in 1999 thanks to Paola Perez (see story on page 16). Her mission in founding the SHPE URI chapter was multifold: to increase the recruitment and retention of Hispanic engineering students at URI; to promote and support all programs related to the improvement of bilingual education (e.g., the International Engineering Program); and to promote diversity in the science and engineering fields.
Today, under the guidance of Sonia Graciela Gaitán, the organization’s current president, the SHPE-URI chapter continues to grow. The organization started in 1999 with 25 members, and as of spring 2004 has 44 active members. According to Gaitán, “We are brought together by heritage, social responsibility and desire to improve the equality of all people through the use of science and technology.”
The Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is the largest non-profit educational and service organization representing both student and
professional
women in engineering and technical fields. The SWE, founded in
1950, currently has more than 17,000 members who are committed
to supporting women and diversity in engineering. The organization
motivates women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers
and leaders, while expanding the image of the engineering profession
as a positive force in improving the quality of life.
The URI chapter of the SWE is a very active organization that has served women engineering students at URI for several decades. The URI chapter has created a vibrant social community for women engineering students at the school, as well as providing strong academic and career support. The URI SWE stays active within the community and enhances leadership by participating in mentoring programs and outreach programs. URI SWE president Kaylen Haley noted that in the coming months, URI members are planning a variety of activities, including company tours, an etiquette dinner, a panel discussion, and several social events.
American Society of Civil Engineers
The URI chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE)
is dedicated to helping familiarize students with professionals
in their discipline and prepare them for the transition into the
working world. The organization instills leadership skills, experience
working in groups on large projects, and a sense of community.
According to president Jennifer Perry, the most important project each year for the URI-ASCE chapter is the construction of the concrete canoe. “As a group, we design, build, and race a concrete canoe against the other schools in our region. We have specific design parameters that must be met and followed in the construction. If they are not, the school risks disqualification from the competition,” Jennifer said. “In addition, we coordinate all fundraising for the project. On average, we raise about $5,000 each year.”
The URI Chapter of ASCE has won an outstanding eight consecutive regional titles and has advanced to the nationals every year. The group will be going for the 9th title this year at the University of Hartford on April 24-25, 2004.
This year’s team is dedicating its concrete canoe, Ocean’s 11, in memory of the late Milton Tallman “Sam” Huston, B.A. ’53, M.S. ’63, an adjunct professor of civil and environmental engineering at URI. Huston was a much loved faculty member and active participant in the concrete canoe program. URI Professor Wayne Lee described Huston as “ a considerate and generous human being and a dedicated teacher and researcher who pursued excellence in whatever he was engaged in.”
This year, the chapter also coordinated a Fall FE review session for those taking the October exam. They plan to do the same in the spring for the April exam. The chapter also hosts an annual dinner meeting with the Rhode Island chapter of ASCE.
For more information, contact asce@egr.uri.edu.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Founded in 1894, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a worldwide technical professional society devoted to advancing the theory and application of electrical engineering, electronics, and computing. The IEEE serves 320,000 electrical engineers, scientists, and other professionals in approximately 150 countries, and is the world’s largest technical professional society.
The URI branch of the IEEE is designed to introduce students to a professional society. The IEEE at URI provides support for students by establishing study sessions and acting as the liaison between students and professors. The organization hosts a number of social events throughout the year to promote a sense of camaraderie amongst students. The big event of the year is the IEEE S-PAC (Student – Professional Awareness Conference), which was held this academic year on October 3, 2003.
The URI IEEE is currently in the process of constructing a student lounge from an empty storage room and later this semester will be filming a documentary of the New England Steam and Wireless Museum in East Greenwich, R.I.
Students wishing to join the IEEE should contact Richard Vaccaro at (401) 874-2505, or visit www.ieee.org.
Pi Tau Sigma (??S) – Sigma Phi Chapter
Pi Tau Sigma is the National Honorary Mechanical Engineering Society and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. With 142 chapters nationwide, there are chapters of Pi Tau Sigma at universities in almost every state.
The concept of Pi Tau Sigma was initiated simultaneously at the University of Illinois and at the University of Wisconsin in 1915, and was officially formed in 1916. The Rhode Island Sigma Phi chapter was the 94th chapter of Pi Tau Sigma and was chartered on May 13, 1970.
The objectives of Pi Tau Sigma are to foster the high ideals of the engineering profession, to stimulate and support departmental activities, to promote the professional welfare of its members, and to develop leadership and citizenship. Membership is by invitation only through academic excellence. Mechanical engineering students in the top one-fourth of their junior class or top one-third of their senior class are invited to join.
Members of the URI chapter of Pi Tau Sigma can often be found in the Engineering Computer Center in the Kirk building, and are always willing to help anyone with questions on math, mechanical engineering, or other subjects they are studying.
Marine Technology Society
The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is a non-profit international professional organization established in 1963 to promote the exchange of information in ocean and marine engineering, science, and policy. The Society is dedicated to disseminating marine science and technical knowledge, promoting and supporting education for marine scientists and engineers, and advancing the development of tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans.
The URI chapter of the MTS was started approximately five years ago. Its purpose, explained current chapter president Brennan Phillips, is to bring together URI students in ocean engineering and other engineering departments to explore marine science’s relevance to engineering, and to offer support and guidance in education and career development.
One important focus for the MTS-URI chapter this year is the annual New England Regional ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Competition. The URI-MTS is once again planning to participate in the competition, to be held at URI on May 8, 2004. The MTS-URI chapter is overseeing the event.
The Regional ROV Competition will bring together between 15 and 20 high schools to be judged for their vehicles’ performance, and technical presentations.
Brennan has high hopes for the event. “The members of the chapter are a great group of highly motivated students who are going to make this ROV competition a huge hit,” he said. “The whole operation is a big deal to pull off, and they will make it possible.”
For more information about the MTS or the ROV Competition, contact phillib@egr.uri.edu.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers who wanted to create a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community. Today, the national organization continues its work to promote the development of Hispanics in engineering, science and other technical professions to achieve educational excellence, economic opportunity and social equity.
The SHPE came to URI in 1999 thanks to Paola Perez (see story on page 16). Her mission in founding the SHPE URI chapter was multifold: to increase the recruitment and retention of Hispanic engineering students at URI; to promote and support all programs related to the improvement of bilingual education (e.g., the International Engineering Program); and to promote diversity in the science and engineering fields.
Today, under the guidance of Sonia Graciela Gaitán, the organization’s current president, the SHPE-URI chapter continues to grow. The organization started in 1999 with 25 members, and as of spring 2004 has 44 active members. According to Gaitán, “We are brought together by heritage, social responsibility and desire to improve the equality of all people through the use of science and technology.”
The Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is the largest non-profit educational and service organization representing both student and
professional
women in engineering and technical fields. The SWE, founded in
1950, currently has more than 17,000 members who are committed
to supporting women and diversity in engineering. The organization
motivates women to achieve full potential in careers as engineers
and leaders, while expanding the image of the engineering profession
as a positive force in improving the quality of life. The URI chapter of the SWE is a very active organization that has served women engineering students at URI for several decades. The URI chapter has created a vibrant social community for women engineering students at the school, as well as providing strong academic and career support. The URI SWE stays active within the community and enhances leadership by participating in mentoring programs and outreach programs. URI SWE president Kaylen Haley noted that in the coming months, URI members are planning a variety of activities, including company tours, an etiquette dinner, a panel discussion, and several social events.
American Society of Civil Engineers
The URI chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE)
is dedicated to helping familiarize students with professionals
in their discipline and prepare them for the transition into the
working world. The organization instills leadership skills, experience
working in groups on large projects, and a sense of community.
According to president Jennifer Perry, the most important project each year for the URI-ASCE chapter is the construction of the concrete canoe. “As a group, we design, build, and race a concrete canoe against the other schools in our region. We have specific design parameters that must be met and followed in the construction. If they are not, the school risks disqualification from the competition,” Jennifer said. “In addition, we coordinate all fundraising for the project. On average, we raise about $5,000 each year.”
The URI Chapter of ASCE has won an outstanding eight consecutive regional titles and has advanced to the nationals every year. The group will be going for the 9th title this year at the University of Hartford on April 24-25, 2004.
This year’s team is dedicating its concrete canoe, Ocean’s 11, in memory of the late Milton Tallman “Sam” Huston, B.A. ’53, M.S. ’63, an adjunct professor of civil and environmental engineering at URI. Huston was a much loved faculty member and active participant in the concrete canoe program. URI Professor Wayne Lee described Huston as “ a considerate and generous human being and a dedicated teacher and researcher who pursued excellence in whatever he was engaged in.”
This year, the chapter also coordinated a Fall FE review session for those taking the October exam. They plan to do the same in the spring for the April exam. The chapter also hosts an annual dinner meeting with the Rhode Island chapter of ASCE.
For more information, contact asce@egr.uri.edu.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Founded in 1894, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a worldwide technical professional society devoted to advancing the theory and application of electrical engineering, electronics, and computing. The IEEE serves 320,000 electrical engineers, scientists, and other professionals in approximately 150 countries, and is the world’s largest technical professional society.
The URI branch of the IEEE is designed to introduce students to a professional society. The IEEE at URI provides support for students by establishing study sessions and acting as the liaison between students and professors. The organization hosts a number of social events throughout the year to promote a sense of camaraderie amongst students. The big event of the year is the IEEE S-PAC (Student – Professional Awareness Conference), which was held this academic year on October 3, 2003.
The URI IEEE is currently in the process of constructing a student lounge from an empty storage room and later this semester will be filming a documentary of the New England Steam and Wireless Museum in East Greenwich, R.I.
Students wishing to join the IEEE should contact Richard Vaccaro at (401) 874-2505, or visit www.ieee.org.
Pi Tau Sigma (??S) – Sigma Phi Chapter
Pi Tau Sigma is the National Honorary Mechanical Engineering Society and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. With 142 chapters nationwide, there are chapters of Pi Tau Sigma at universities in almost every state.
The concept of Pi Tau Sigma was initiated simultaneously at the University of Illinois and at the University of Wisconsin in 1915, and was officially formed in 1916. The Rhode Island Sigma Phi chapter was the 94th chapter of Pi Tau Sigma and was chartered on May 13, 1970.
The objectives of Pi Tau Sigma are to foster the high ideals of the engineering profession, to stimulate and support departmental activities, to promote the professional welfare of its members, and to develop leadership and citizenship. Membership is by invitation only through academic excellence. Mechanical engineering students in the top one-fourth of their junior class or top one-third of their senior class are invited to join.
Members of the URI chapter of Pi Tau Sigma can often be found in the Engineering Computer Center in the Kirk building, and are always willing to help anyone with questions on math, mechanical engineering, or other subjects they are studying.
Marine Technology Society
The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is a non-profit international professional organization established in 1963 to promote the exchange of information in ocean and marine engineering, science, and policy. The Society is dedicated to disseminating marine science and technical knowledge, promoting and supporting education for marine scientists and engineers, and advancing the development of tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans.
The URI chapter of the MTS was started approximately five years ago. Its purpose, explained current chapter president Brennan Phillips, is to bring together URI students in ocean engineering and other engineering departments to explore marine science’s relevance to engineering, and to offer support and guidance in education and career development.
One important focus for the MTS-URI chapter this year is the annual New England Regional ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Competition. The URI-MTS is once again planning to participate in the competition, to be held at URI on May 8, 2004. The MTS-URI chapter is overseeing the event.
The Regional ROV Competition will bring together between 15 and 20 high schools to be judged for their vehicles’ performance, and technical presentations.
Brennan has high hopes for the event. “The members of the chapter are a great group of highly motivated students who are going to make this ROV competition a huge hit,” he said. “The whole operation is a big deal to pull off, and they will make it possible.”
For more information about the MTS or the ROV Competition, contact phillib@egr.uri.edu.