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Copyright 1998 by Rho Epsilon Mu.
Rho Epsilon Mu is an emergency management academic honorary society established by the Emergency Services Management Majors Network at the University of Richmond in December 1998. Acting Executive Director for the Society is Walter G. Green III, Ph.D., CEM, of the University of Richmond.
Members of Rho Epsilon Mu with year of election are:
Catherine Campbell (1998-99), Janice Cosel (1999-2000), Laura Jo Leffel (1998-99), Anthony McLean (1998-99), William R. Williams (1999-2000)
These draft guidelines are designed to cover the operation of Rho Epsilon Mu as a local honorary society of the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond and to provide a foundation for establishment of chapters at other institutions. The society recognizes that in some cases local modification to criteria may be required to account for differences in adult education programs.
Mission, Values, and Vision: As a specialized academic honor society for the academic discipline and profession of emergency management, the mission of Rho Epsilon Mu is to recognize and encourage a high standard of scholarship and research in emergency management. We believe that emergency management is an integrated and comprehensive activity that requires the highest standards of knowledge and expertise to protect the population in times of crisis. This knowledge and expertise can only be achieved through a lifelong commitment to professional education. Our vision is that Rho Epsilon Mu will provide an impetus for excellence in emergency management education over the next decade.
Rho Epsilon Mu includes emergency management, business continuity, and disaster science as falling within the meaning of emergency management for its mission and requirements.
Membership Eligibility: The society will have four classes of members with the following requirements:
(1) Undergraduate Members: Undergraduate membership shall be open to individuals who meet all of the following requirements:
(a) Regularly enrolled and pursuing a degree or academic certificate studies program with a major or minor in emergency management,
(b) Have completed 18 semester hours of course work in courses in emergency management,
(c) Have completed at least one half of the academic hours required for the Certificate, Associate's, or Bachelor's program.
(d) Maintain a minimum average of 3.5 on a 4 point scale in the major courses, and
(e) Maintain an overall average of at least 3.2 on a 4 point scale, and be ranked in the top 35% of students in the school, college, or university.
(2) Graduate Student Members: Graduate student membership shall be open to individuals who meet all of the following requirements:
(a) For Master's Students:
[1] Regularly enrolled and pursuing a Master's Degree in an emergency management graduate program, or completing a Master's Degree in another discipline with a concentration of at least 15 semester hours in emergency management, or completing a thesis in another discipline investigating a problem in emergency management,
[2] Have completed at least one half of the academic hours required for the degree program, and
[3] Maintain an overall average in Master's studies of at least 3.5 on a 4 point scale.
(b) For Doctoral Students: Be admitted to candidacy in an emergency management doctoral program, or in another discipline with a concentration in emergency management, or have proposed a dissertation topic in another discipline investigating a problem in emergency management.
(3) Alumni Members: Graduates of an emergency management degree program who meet the requirements for program content and average grades, but who do not meet the class standing requirements, subsequently may be admitted to membership if they demonstrate leadership in the field of emergency management by meeting all of the following requirements:
(a) Actively employed in an emergency management professional position for at least three full time equivalent years,
(b) Professionally certified in emergency management by a recognized certifying body, and
(c) Actively involved in the profession in one of the following ways:
[1] Active membership, including service as an officer or committee chairman, in an emergency management professional organization at the local, state, or federal level,
[2] Publication of a substantive article regarding emergency management in a professional or academic publication, or
[3] Regular involvement in designing and delivering emergency management professional training.
(4) Honorary Members: Individuals active in the profession of emergency management who are recognized as having made a significant contribution at any level of government, business, or education may be offered membership by majority vote of a chapter.
Activities and Publications: The society will:
(1) Sponsor publication of an on-line, peer reviewed, electronic journal in emergency management, the Electronic Journal of Emergency Management.
(2) Publish selected monographs and professional guides written by its members in emergency management. Selection of materials for publication will be based on peer review.
(3) Provide distance based, professional continuing education activities for its members.
Membership Period, Privileges, and Fees:
(1) Membership shall be for one year, based on a year from 1 May to 30 April. Induction of new members will normally occur at the start of the membership year.
(2) Membership fees will be waived for the first year of membership. For following years the member fee shall be $20.00.
(3) Only members who have paid all required fees may vote, hold office, or receive publications and educational benefits of the society, without restriction based on the original class of membership.
Chapters: Rho Epsilon Mu is established as a local academic Honor Society of the School of Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond, open to students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Richmond. Establishment of chapters at other colleges and universities is welcomed, subject to the following requirements:
(1) Accreditation: The institution must be regionally accredited by a recognized accrediting body.
(2) Membership Requirements: Individuals accepted to membership must meet all applicable requirements for their category of membership as listed above.
(3) Faculty Advisement: A member of the college or university faculty must serve as an advisor to the chapter.
(4) Institutional Requirements: The proposed chapter must meet all institutional requirements at the college or university for establishment as an honor society.
(5) Activity: The chapter must meet at least twice a year and conduct at least one educational activity related to emergency management each year.
(6) Fees: Fees for active members and a $50.00 a year chapter membership fee will be remitted to the Treasurer of the society. Chapters may charge such additional local dues as are necessary for their operation.
Key: The device of Rho Epsilon Mu shall be a gold key of the commonly used pattern, bearing a circle enclosing a triangle, with the Greek letters, PEM. The key may be worn as a lapel pin or as a key chain key.
Relationships and Goals:
(1) Rho Epsilon Mu intends to be recognized as a local academic honor society in conformance with the "Policies and Procedures for Establishing a National Honor Society" published by the Association of College Honor Societies at the University of Richmond by May 1999.
(2) Rho Epsilon Mu will extend to other institutions with emergency management degree programs an invitation to form chapters starting in 1999, with the goal of having at least two other chapters in two regions by December of 2000.
(3) Rho Epsilon Mu intends to affiliate with the Association of College Honor Societies as an Associate Member when it demonstrates five years of status as a national honor society and as a Member when it meets the ten year requirement as a national honor society.
Richmond_ESM@tripod.net
Emergency Services Management
School of Continuing Studies
University of Richmond, VA 23173
United States