Frequently Asked Questions - CommSociety / Lambda Pi Eta
WHAT IS THE COMM SOCIETY?
The CommSociety is the social club for COMM majors and minors and MASS majors and minors (when the major is approved).
Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Association Honor Society. Our Chapter is Omicron Phi. Some students don't know the difference and don't join CommSociety/LPE until they are about to graduate. This is unfortunate, because they miss out on opportunities to meet other majors, network, socialize, etc. Most regrettably, they miss out on the opportunity to meet one important requirement (see below) by participating in CommSociety activities.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN?The requirements for individual students are as follows:
- 60 units in an accredited college or university (CSUSM is, thanks to WASC).
- 12 units of in Communication.
- 3.0 GPA Overall (Transfer + CSUSM)
- 3.25 GPA in the COMM major (or MASS when it's approved).
- a commitment to the discipline of Communication - which can be demonstrated by participating in CommSociety meetings and activities.
DOES THIS MEAN I GRADUATE WITH HONORS?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because this is a distinction within your major. No, because the requirements for University honors are higher.
Specifically, this is what this link http://www.csusm.edu/academic_programs/catalog/2002-04_Catalog/academic_regulations_and_graduation_requirements.htm
says about graduating with honors from CSUSM:
Graduation with Honors
Undergraduate students who complete their first undergraduate degree requirements at Cal State San Marcos with exceptional scholastic averages will be eligible for bachelors degrees with Latin Honors. The following criteria are required for graduation with honors:
- Cum laude 3.50 - 3.69
- Magna cum laude 3.70 - 3.89
- Summa cum laude 3.90 - 4.00
The University transcript includes two grade point averages. The overall GPA is based on all coursework attempted, including transferable courses from other institutions. The institutional GPA is based on Cal State San Marcos courses only. The grade point average used to determine graduation with honors is the lower of the two. Recognition at commencement is based on coursework completed before the semester of the commencement ceremony. If a students record qualifies for graduation with honors based on grades earned during the semester of commencement, the honors designation will be included on the student's diploma and official University transcripts.
Sometimes, there also is confusion between the CSUSM University Honors Program (details found at ( http://www.csusm.edu/honors_program/policies.htm ) and Lambda Pi Eta.
HOW DO I CALCULATE MY COMM GPA?
By using the student-designed GPA calculator. This is a spreadsheet found on the homepage of the Communication Department. Type in the courses you've taken so far and the grades you have earned and it calculates the GPA of all the courses you've taken, no matter how few of how many.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IN THE SOCIETY?
Individual students are responsible for subscribing to the list serve and for attending CommSociety meetings. They also are responsible for estimating whether they meet the criteria. Then they are responsible for downloading the forms from the Communication Department homepage. They should read the instructions carefully and return the documents appropriately labeled to the faculty advisor, so as to ensure confidentiality and record-keeping.
The chapter officers are responsible for calling meetings, planning activities, collecting the money (dues plus LPE orders), electing the officers for next year, meeting with the faculty advisor, etc.
The faculty advisor is responsible for meeting with the chapter officers to make a yearly plan for activities and events. S/he is also responsible for reviewing all applications and determining if the individual students meet the requirements or not. Once this ethical, confidential, and meticulous process is completed, letters of acceptance or rejection (whichever be the case), are sent to those who have sent in their documents. Finally, the faculty advisor meets with the chapter officers and the support staff to send the order to the National Communication Association office for certificates, pins and cords.
WHY HAVEN'T I HEARD ANYTHING AFTER I SENT MY DOCUMENTS?
In case you've not been around to notice, most faculty members in our department have been involved this Spring 07 semester in conducting job searches for two new professors in the Fall. This has been a time-consuming process that has taken priority over most all other activities.
I have been receiving a number of applications; moreover, I have been receiving an even larger number of requests for information a few days later. Taking time to reply to all takes time away from reviewing the applications!
An additional delay comes in the form of the actual documents students send: the that everyone label their application, their GPA calculator, etc. with their USERNAME, so as to facilitate recordkeeping. One would think that honor students would read instructions carefully, but I can't tell you how many documents come back to me labeled "Unofficial Transcript" or "Your Name GPA Calculator" ...
Normally, it's convenient to wait until the deadline has passed and all students have submitted their documents to review all files and send all letters at once.
WHAT'S THE LIST SERVE AND HOW COME I NEVER GET ANY NOTICES?
The listserv is an "opt-in" distribution list. This means you have to take action to join. Using the email account that you use most frequently (I urge all to use their CSUSM email, because that one will be active so long as you're a student, and even longer if you join the alumni association), send an email to CommSociety-request@csusm.edu and in the subject line, type "subscribe" This should do it. If you have any questions about it, contact the Student Help Desk.
WHAT IS THE $43 I PAID FOR?
| Item | Fees |
| CommSociety Dues | $ 5 |
| LPE Certificate & Pin | $ 35 |
| Graduation Cords | $ 8 |
| TOTAL | $ 43 |
HOW DOES COMMSOCIETY HELP WITH THE TUKWUT TRANSCRIPT?
This question is addressed in detail at (http://www.csusm.edu/sll/previous_site/student_profile/index.htm ).
