An International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines

History

Computing and Information Disciplines is a relatively young discipline. Yet despite its comparative youth, Computing and Information Disciplines has had an unparalleled effect on almost every aspect of contemporary life. Indeed it is difficult to predict the ultimate place of the computer in our world. It is the express purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon to promote the Computing and Information Disciplines and to encourage its contribution to the enhancement of knowledge.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) was first organized at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, in 1967. The international organization now consists of chapters in various colleges and universities in North America and overseas.


Mission Statement

The mission of Upsilon Pi Epsilon is to recognize academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Computing and Information Disciplines.

The Association will accomplish this mission through programs that:

  • Enable outstanding students to obtain recognition of superior educational achievement that emphasizes the Computing and Information Disciplines as well as liberal arts, sciences, and other professional and interdisciplinary education in the context of individual and societal responsibilities,
  • Assist in maximizing the personal and professional growth of students in UPE by financially supporting scholarships and other creative endeavors that include the discovery, integration, and application of knowledge,
  • Establish significant partnerships with external constituencies interested in promoting and subsidizing high quality computing science education,
  • Seek opportunities to extend individual memberships and chapter activities into additional environments yet to become identified.

Guidelines and Goals

Upsilon Pi Epsilon is an honorary society whose membership consists of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in Computing and Information Disciplines. Only schools that offer a degree in a computing science-related discipline may be chartered. Likewise, prospective student members must be working toward a degree in Computing and Information Disciplines at the time they are considered for membership. Yet members are chosen not only for their scholastic achievement in a computing science program, but also for distinguishing themselves as true professionals by meeting the standards of the society. Membership is limited to those who can effectively achieve the original goals of the society. These goals include:

  • The recognition of outstanding talent in the field of computing science,
  • The promotion of high scholarship in computing science,
  • The establishment and maintenance of high standards in computing science,
  • The representation of computing science in interdisciplinary communications, and
  • The encouragement of individual contributions to society through computing science.

Endorsements and Affiliation

Upsilon Pi Epsilon is the first and only, existing international honor society in the Computing and Information Disciplines. It has received endorsements from the two largest computer organizations in the world, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS).

UPE is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).


Upsilon Pi Epsilon

  • recognizes academic excellence in the Computing and Information Disciplines.
  • has chapters in various colleges and universities in North America and overseas.
  • is the only honor society that is recognized by the ACM and the IEEE-CS.
  • presents scholarship awards to active members.
  • present scholarship awards to student members of the ACM and the IEEE-CS.
  • presents cash awards to chapters who send representatives to its annual convention.
  • presents cash awards and plaques to all participating teams at the ACM International Scholastic Programming Contest.
  • presents scholarship awards on behalf of industry supporters of the association.
  • presents the ABACUS Award - an annual award that is presented to the individual who, over several years, has provided extensive support and leadership for student-related activities in the Computing and Information Disciplines.

Industry Support and the Primary Activities of UPE

UPE receives extensive support from Microsoft Corporation and IBM Corporation. Funds received from these two corporations are used to fund the UPE scholarship awards. UPE expects awards up to 20 $1,000 scholarship awards to active UPE members. Scholarship applications are due in June and awards are announced the following September.

UPE is an active supporter of the ACM ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest). Various UPE chapters provide support at local and regional programming contests. The Executive Council of UPE provides support at the ACM ICPC World Finals by serving as support staff for the contest. In addition, UPE presents $200 cash awards to each team at the World Finals (Each team from an institution with an active UPE chapter receives an additional cash award of $300).