The New York Alpha Omicron Chapter
Binghamton University

Pi Mu Epsilon, Inc (PME), is the National Mathematics Honor Society.
Founded on May 25, 1914 at Syracuse University, PME currently has over 300 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States.
The purpose of the Society is to promote scholarly activity in mathematics among the students in academic institutions.

Next Induction Ceremony

The next Pi Mu Epsilon induction ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 1:00 PM in Science Library 212. Invitation emails to all qualified students will be sent the week of Feb. 14, 2022, and the deadline for acceptance and payment is April 11, 2022. All participants will be expected to follow whatever masking rules are in effect on campus at that time.

Previous Induction Ceremonies

The May 9, 2021, Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Ceremony was held as a virtual zoom meeting, so membership certificates and any special items ordered need to be picked up from the main office of the Department of Mathematical Sciences in Whitney Hall after May 10.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, many campus events have been cancelled or postponed. The Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Ceremony scheduled for April 26, 2020, was postponed. All students who joined before the May 15, 2020 deadline were notified that special items ordered (T-shirts, honor cords, Keypins) and membership certicates would be available from the main office of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. If students are unable to come to campus, these could be mailed to home addresses, or obtained from Prof. Feingold (Whitney Hall, Room 115) after the campus reopens.

Introduction

We are proud to announce the creation of the 346^th chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon at Binghamton University.
The installation and first induction ceremony of this new chapter took take place on April 9, 2011, at 1:00 PM in SL-206.
The installing officer was Joan W. Weiss, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Professor of Mathematics, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT. The Permanent Faculty Correspondent (PFC) of the chapter is Prof. Alex Feingold, and the Chapter Advisor is Prof. Dmytro Savchuk. The Student Charter Members named in the petition to create the chapter are:

Steven Collazos, Adam Davis, Mark J. Dello Stritto, Colin T. Guider, Matthew Hassell, Kevin A. Kass, Adam A. Sasson, Jessica Tchorowski, and Shuo Zhang.

The Faculty Charter Members named in the petition are:

Prof. Alex J. Feingold, Prof. Fernando Guzman, Prof. Dmytro Savchuk, and Prof. Diane Vavrichek.

At the installation, these Charter Members were inducted into the honor society, along with all others who qualified and wished to join. Below are two pictures from the installation and induction. One shows the presentation of the charter to the student officers, Matthew Hassell, Adam Davis and Steven Collazos. The other is a group photo of the new members who stayed to be in the picture. Below those pictures is a closeup photo of the charter itself. A pdf file containing the 2011 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted charter and general members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2011.

The second Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 29, 2012, conducted by President Colin Guider, Vice-President Janine Belsky, Secretary/Treasurer Hannah Weeks, Faculty Advisor Prof. Dmytro Savchuk, and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. Their picture, and a group picture of the students who were present at the induction, are shown below. A pdf file containing the 2012 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2012.

Another pdf file containing the text of the 2012 Initiation Ceremony, including the history and purposes of Pi Mu Epsilon, the meaning of the symbols on the crest and banner, the activities of the national organization and of our local chapter, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Ceremony Text 2012. Initiates who were unable to attend the Induction Ceremony should read that document and come to see Prof. Feingold to get your membership certificate, sign in the chapter roll book, give the pledge, and pick up any special items ordered.

The third Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 27, 2013, conducted by President Colin Guider, Secretary/Treasurer Hannah Weeks, and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2013 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2013.

Initiates who were unable to attend the Induction Ceremony should come to see Prof. Feingold to get your membership certificate, sign in the chapter roll book, give the pledge, and pick up any special items ordered. Small and medium sized T-shirts were back-ordered, but all other items are ready to be picked up.

The fourth Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 26, 2014, conducted by President Kristen Kohler, Vice-President Taylor Finn, Secretary Alyssa Wood, Treasurer Melissa Leifer and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2014 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2014.

Initiates who were unable to attend the Induction Ceremony should come to see Prof. Feingold before the end of the semester to get your membership certificate, sign in the chapter roll book, give the pledge, and pick up any special items ordered.

The fifth Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 18, 2015, conducted by President Kristen Kohler, Vice-President Alyssa Wood, Secretary Melissa Leifer, Treasurer Michael Ferris and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2015 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2015.

The sixth Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 30, 2016, conducted by President Amanda Baker and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. Vice-President Gabriele Alexander and Secretary/Treasurer Allison Faliski were unable to attend. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2016 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2016.

The seventh Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 22, 2017, conducted by President Eidan Maimoni, Vice-President Stephanie Solomon, Secretary Joyce Ajagbe, Treasurer Richard Hoffer, and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2017 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2017.

Initiates who were unable to attend the Induction Ceremony should see the secretaries in the Department of Mathematical Sciences Office the week of April 24-28, 2017, to get your membership certificate and an induction program, sign in the chapter roll book, and pick up any special items ordered.

The eighth Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 21, 2018, conducted by President Kory Borenkoff, Vice-President Steven Liounis, Secretary/Treasurer Adam Kalinousky, and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2018 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2018.

The membership certificates and special items ordered by inductees did not arrive in time for the Induction Ceremony, so an email will be sent when they become available with instructions on when and where to get them.

The nineth Induction Ceremony of our chapter was on April 6, 2019, conducted by President Breanna Demestichas, Vice-President Zachary Halpern, Secretary Ariel Gideon (could not attend), and Permanent Faculty Correspondent Prof. Alex Feingold. A group picture of the students who were present at the induction, is shown below. A pdf file containing the 2019 Induction Program, including the names of all inducted members, can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2019.

The honor cords ordered by inductees did not arrive in time for the Induction Ceremony, so an email will be sent when they become available with instructions on when and where to get them. Anyone who could not attend the induction should contact Prof. Feingold about getting the membership certificate, special items and signing the chapter roll book.

The tenth Induction Ceremony of our chapter scheduled for April 26, 2020, was cancelled because of COVID. Students who joined by the deadline (May 15, 2020) are listed in the 2020 Induction Program, which can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2020.

The membership certificates and special items ordered (T-shirts, keypins, honor cords) by new members were packaged in envelopes and left for pickup in the main office of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. At the request of some students, the envelopes were mailed to home addresses, but many remain at the main office awaiting pickup when the campus reopens. Students who have not yet received their certificates and special items should come to get them as soon as possible.

The eleventh Induction Ceremony of our chapter was held as a virtual zoom meeting on May 9, 2021. Students who joined are listed in the 2021 Induction Program, which can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2021. If you missed the ceremony, here is a link to a Panopto recording of it: Panopto recording of the virtual induction ceremony for Pi Mu Epsilon on May 9, 2021.

The membership certificates and special items ordered (T-shirts, keypins, honor cords) by new members were packaged in envelopes and left for pickup in the main office of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. They should be available by May 10, 2021, if the main office of the DOMS is open. Students picking up their envelopes should do so before the semester ends, and should also sign the chapter roll book.

The twelfth Induction Ceremony of our chapter was held on May 1, 2022. Students who joined are listed in the 2022 Induction Program, which can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2022. If you missed the ceremony you should pick up your membership certificate from the main office of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (yes, we changed the name) in Whitney Hall, sign the chapter roll book and get any special items you ordered. They should be available by May 2, 2022, when the main office of the DOMS is open. Students picking up their certificates should do so before the semester ends, and should also sign the chapter roll book.

The 13th Induction Ceremony of our chapter was held on April 23, 2023. Students who joined are listed in the 2023 Induction Program, which can be downloaded from the following link: Pi Mu Epsilon Induction Program 2023. If you missed the ceremony you should pick up your membership certificate from Prof. Feingold in his office (Whitney Hall, Room 115) or from the main office of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. You should also sign the chapter roll book and get any special items you ordered. They should be available by April 24, 2023, when the main office of the DOMS is open. Students picking up their certificates should do so before the semester ends, and should also sign the chapter roll book.

Qualifications for Membership

The following is taken from the Constitution of Pi Mu Epsilon, Inc.

Membership in the Society shall be honorary and shall be conferred as a reward for scholarly achievement in mathematics. All Members of the Society shall consider themselves pledged to use their influence to see that the standards of the Society are maintained.

Chapters may elect to Membership only individuals who are full time faculty or students attending their institution unless an exception is explicitly granted by the President of the Society. Members are elected impartially and solely on the basis of merit.

To be elected as a Member to any Chapter of the Society, a person must satisfy at least one of the following qualifications. These are minimal qualifications; individual Chapters may set more rigorous qualifications. Specifically, Chapters may only elect as Members:

Students who are candidates for undergraduate degrees at the institution and who have met all of the following requirements:

Completed at least the equivalent of two semesters of calculus and two additional courses in mathematics, at or above the calculus level, all of which lead to the fulfillment of the requirements for a major in the mathematical sciences.
Have maintained the equivalent of a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale in all mathematics courses that lead to the fulfillment of the requirements for a major in the mathematical sciences.
Have maintained the equivalent of a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale in all courses that lead to the fulfillment of the requirements for an undergraduate degree.

Students who are candidates for graduate degrees at the institution whose mathematical work is at least equivalent to that required of qualified undergraduates, and who have maintained the equivalent of a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4 point scale in mathematics courses during their last school year prior to their election.
Members of the faculty at the institution in mathematics or related subjects.
A person who has achieved distinction in a mathematical science, provided that the Chapter obtains the explicit approval of the President of the Society.

No person may be elected to Membership by a Chapter until the Scholarship Committee of that Chapter has thoroughly investigated the candidate's qualifications and deemed them to be satisfactory. Those eligible persons who are elected to Membership by a Chapter shall become Members when they have paid the initiation fee, taken the Pledge, signed the official Chapter roll, satisfied any other requirements for initiation decided upon by the Chapter, and had their names and contact information registered with the Secretary-Treasurer of the Society.

There shall be two categories of Membership in the Society:

Charter Members: Those persons elected to Membership whose names appear on the Charter of a Chapter.
Members: Those persons elected to Membership whose names do not appear on the Charter of a Chapter.

Procedure for Qualification

We have been able to develop a program which uses the registrar's database of student transcripts to find the undergraduate students who meet the requirements for membership. Those who qualify are found each February and are then invited to join by an email notice. There is no application form required. If you decide to join, you should send the appropriate membership fee ($30 for students, $35 for faculty) to Prof. Feingold. There is also an option to buy several special items (PME T-Shirt, Honor Cords, Key Pin) for an additional fee, as specified in the invitation letter. Payment can be made through a Paypal link given in the invitaiton letter, or by check made out to ``Pi Mu Epsilon, NY Alpha Omicron Chapter" or in cash delivered to Prof. Feingold.

Chapter Organization

Section 1. Constitution.

Every Chapter shall have one and only one Constitution viz., the Constitution of Pi Mu Epsilon, Inc. Each Chapter may make such Bylaws for itself as it deems suitable, provided such Bylaws are not in conflict with any of the provisions of the Constitution or National Bylaws.

Section 2. Chapter Officers.

Officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, a Chapter Advisor, and a Permanent Faculty Correspondent. Two or more of these offices may be combined, or the Chapter Bylaws may provide for additional officers who, with those listed above, shall constitute the Executive Committee.

Section 3. Duties of Chapter Officers.

The duties of these officers shall be the usual ones pertaining to the various offices with specific duties as follows:

The Secretary shall keep account of all meetings and transactions of the Chapter.
The Treasurer shall collect all dues and fees levied by the national office of the Society and forward same to the Secretary-Treasurer, or shall make the same payments out of the Chapter treasury, as the Chapter may decide.
The Chapter Advisor shall be a Member of Pi Mu Epsilon and of the mathematics department faculty with the rank of Instructor or higher at the institution where the Chapter is located. The Chapter Advisor shall provide encouragement and guidance to the Members of the Chapter in general and to the Chapter Executive Committee in particular.
The Permanent Faculty Correspondent shall be a Member of Pi Mu Epsilon and of the mathematics department faculty with the rank of Instructor or higher at the institution where the Chapter is located. The Correspondent shall receive communications from the national office of the Society, shall present these to the proper persons, and shall inform the Society's national office of the actions of the Chapter. The Correspondent shall be responsible for submitting the annual report of the Chapter, which should include a review of Chapter activities, awards, reports of meetings, and results of elections, to the national office of the Society. It is understood that any Member of the Society may communicate with the Officers of the Society about any matter. However, final authority for voting on matters submitted by Council to the Chapter, and for submitting Questions from the Chapter to Council, shall reside with the Permanent Faculty Correspondent.

Section 4. Scholarship Committee.

In addition to the officers, there shall be a Scholarship Committee, chosen as the Chapter may designate, for their high scholarly standing and ability to judge scholarship in others. The duty of this committee is to present to the Chapter a list of candidates qualified for membership. This will be accomplished by examining the official scholastic records of the applicants to determine their eligibility as provided in Article IV, Section 2.

Forms and Ceremonies

The following are the official Motto, Insignia, and Pledge of Pi Mu Epsilon, together with the Pi Mu Epsilon procedures for installing Chapters and initiating Members.

Section 1. Motto.

The Pi Mu Epsilon Motto is: "To Promote Scholarship and Mathematics"

Section 2. Insignia.

The Insignia of the Society are:

Colors: Violet, gold, and lavender.

Seal: Round, design of the pin in center, and the words, "Pi Mu Epsilon, Incorporated" around the edge.

Flower: Violet.

Shield: Divided into four parts. In the upper right hand corner, the design of a conventionalized violet; in the lower right, a summation sign; in the upper left, an integral sign; and in the lower left, three stars representing friendship, morality, and scholarship. Just above the shield proper the pin is represented, and below, on a streamer, is the Motto in Greek.

Pin: The Pi Mu Epsilon Key-Pin is a triangular rim upon which is a raised rectangle. Raised still higher are the Greek letters Pi Mu Epsilon.

Section 3. Pledge.

The Pledge of the Society is:

"I solemnly promise that I will exert my best efforts to promote true scholarship, particularly in mathematics, and that I will support the objectives of Pi Mu Epsilon."

Section 4. Procedure of Chapter Installation.

The President, or some other member of the Society that the President designates as the Installing Officer, shall, in concert with the institution, select a date for the Installation. At the Installation ceremony, the Installing Officer shall give a brief account of the history of the Society and of its ideals and symbols; shall, in accordance with Section 5, initiate those Charter Members who are present and who are not already Members of the Society; and shall present the Charter and an official copy of the Constitution to the Chapter. Additional Members may also be initiated at the ceremony. Charter Members who are unable to attend the ceremony may be initiated at a later date by the Chapter and sign the permanent Chapter roll at their initiation. No more than one-third (1/3) of the Charter Members shall be members of the faculty at the institution.

Section 5. Form of Initiation.

The ceremony of initiation into Pi Mu Epsilon shall include the following items:

A statement of the purpose, nature, organization, and history of the Society and of the local Chapter;
Taking of the Pledge by the candidates;
Signing of the permanent Chapter roll by each candidate;
Presentation of certificates;
Explanation of insignia, etc; and
Exhortation and address of welcome to the Society.

The Chapter Bylaws

The National Initiation Fee for new Members shall be twenty dollars ($20 US). Additional local chapter dues shall be $5 for new student members and $10 for new faculty members. (Note that the $20 per person national initiation fee includes lifetime membership in Pi Mu Epsilon and a one-year subscription to the Pi Mu Epsilon Journal.)
The Charter Fee shall be determined by Council and may be changed if approved by at least two-thirds of all Council members. This fee may be changed at most once in any three-year period.
Pi Mu Epsilon shall publish The Pi Mu Epsilon Journal at least twice each year. The Journal shall especially encourage student-written papers.
Expenditures for clerical help shall be provided for Officers of the Society, subject to the approval of Council.
The design of the Charter and the Membership Certificate may be changed at the discretion of Council.
When a new Chapter is installed, the Chapter shall be responsible for the expense of transportation, meals, and lodging of the Installing Officer.
Student Delegates participating at a National Meeting may be fully or partially reimbursed for transportation expenses at the discretion of Council.
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Society in all cases to which they are applicable and are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Society may adopt.