- The school must offer undergraduate or graduate degree programs in Electrical Engineering and/or Computer Engineering. Since HKN is an Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society, programs in Electrical Technology or Electrical Engineering Technology, or Computer Science do not fall within the framework of our Constitution.
- The Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering program in U.S. institutions must be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Recognition by similar accrediting agencies is required for universities in other regions of the world.
- The Department Chair, Dean of Engineering, and other appropriate university administrators must support the formation of an HKN chapter on your campus.
- A minimum of eight eligible students must be identified to establish the chapter and prepare the required submission materials. These students will become the charter members of the new chapter.
- The Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering programs combined must graduate a minimum of 24 students annually. This requirement will help to guarantee the long-term viability and critical mass of the chapter. Eta Kappa Nu membership is only offered to the top 25% of juniors and top 33% of seniors. This requirement helps to guarantee that a minimum of eight students is eligible for membership each year.
After verifying that your campus is eligible for a new chapter of HKN, you should contact Melissa Swartz at the HKN headquarters at Melissa@hkn.org. She will help guide you though the process of creating and installing the chapter on your campus. The following steps and materials are required to be completed by the prospective chapter.
- A Faculty Advisor for the prospective chapter must be appointed by the Department Chair.
- The exact list of charter members should be identified. This list must contain a minimum of eight eligible students, and as a practical matter, should be limited to a maximum of 15 to 20 students who will most actively take part in the establishment of the new chapter. In many cases, there will be a much larger number of students who are eligible at the time of the new chapter's installation. Many new chapters will hold their first regular new member induction when the new chapter is being installed in order to induct all of the eligible members into the chapter.
- The charter members may elect interim chapter officers if they desire for the purpose of running the prospective chapter until the chapter is officially installed.
- A Notice of Election of Officers Form (PDF) should be filled out listing the interim chapter officers and Faculty Advisor. The Form primarily consists of the names of the officers and advisor who will assume the necessary responsibilities for the formation and subsequent operation of the chapter.
- A letter of petition to form the new chapter should be generated and signed by the charter members. Contact the HKN headquarters for a sample letter.
- A New Member Requisition Form (PDF) listing the charter members names, addresses, class, and graduation date must be completed. You may leave the chapter name and induction date as "To Be Determined".
- HKN headquarters will need to receive a statement signed by the Department Chair and the Dean of Engineering stating details about the Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering degree programs at your University. This letter should state the degree programs offered and the ABET or equivalent accreditation status of the various programs. It should also state the number of students enrolled and graduated in the programs during the past few years, along with any other historical and/or pertinent information about the school and its degree programs. Contact HKN headquarters for a sample letter.
- HKN headquarters will also need to receive a written statement of approval (such as a letter) signed and/or endorsed by the Department Chair, the Dean of Engineering, the Dean of Students, and the University President (or their equivalents) that states their support for the formation of the new HKN chapter on your campus. In some organizations, the chief academic officer has the title of Chancellor or Provost.
- The charter members should meet and create the chapter bylaws that will govern the new chapter. As an example, see the Sample Chapter Bylaws.
After the aforementioned steps have been completed, the following materials should be submitted to HKN headquarters:
- Petition for the new chapter
- Statement of degree programs and accreditation status
- Letter of support from university officials
- Proposed bylaws for the new chapter
- New Member Requisition Form listing all charter members
- Notification of Election of Officers Form listing the interim officers and faculty advisor
This package of materials will be reviewed and approved by HKN's Executive Committee. After approval, the HKN headquarters will notify your prospective chapter of whether it has passed this step of the process. If it has passed, the planning for the chapter installation ceremony may proceed.
The installation of a new HKN chapter is a very significant event for the entire Eta Kappa Nu Organization. A representative from the HKN organization will visit your campus to officially install the new chapter and present the chapter charter. You are encouraged to invite all faculty, the Department Chair, the Dean of Engineering, other university officials, and even special guests from neighboring HKN chapters to attend. The date of the chapter installation will be agreed upon with the HKN Headquarters.
The official name of the new chapter will be assigned. Chapter names are assigned in chronological order of installation.
At installation day, your prospective chapter should arrange for all facilities and invited guests. The national HKN representatives will meet your Faculty Advisor, chapter officers, Department Chair, Dean of Engineering, and other officials prior to the ceremony, and if time allows, a guided tour of the engineering facilities by the student members is encouraged.
The HKN headquarters will assist you in preparing the speaking agenda for the installation ceremony. Following the official installation ceremony and the induction of the charter members, you are encouraged to host a reception or a banquet, offering the opportunity for the new members to interact with the guests and national representatives.
Supporting materials found on this Web site include Sample Chapter Bylaws, the New Member Requisition Form, and the Notification of Election of Officers Form. The site also lists the various officer duties and suggestions for operating your chapter, as well as chapter activities suggestions.
The HKN headquarters staff is enthusiastic to assist you in establishing a new HKN chapter on your campus. The HKN staff will make the application process relatively easy. Your chapter will generate ongoing benefits for your students, your ECE Department, and the electrical and computer engineering profession for many years to come.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss forming a new chapter, please contact either Roger Plummer, HKN Executive Director, or Melissa Swartz, Academic Affairs Manager, at info@hkn.org.