Why is an IEEE Student Branch Beneficial?
A Student Branch gives students the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow students, as well as faculty members and professionals in the field. A good IEEE Student Branch can be one of the most positive elements in an Electrical Engineering or Engineering Technology department. IEEE Student Branches are established at over 900 universities and colleges throughout the world. Student Branch activities offer numerous educational, technical, and professional advantages of IEEE membership through special projects, activities, meetings, tours and field trips. Listed below are a some programs and projects that keep students interested in the Branch and its activities and their chosen profession:
- participation in regional conferences, leadership training workshops and develop leadership, interpersonal and team building skills
- participation in awards, scholarships and project/design programs and student paper contests
- establishment of a Student Branch Library in the student lounge with IEEE's publication
- access IEEE on line resources and merchandise
- establish a World Wide Web home page
Seminars with guest speakers, who are professionals working in the field, enable students to enhance their knowledge outside the classroom. Joint seminars let students meet and talk with other interested students. Student Professional Awareness Conferences (S-PACs) help increase awareness of professional issues such as ethics, continuing education, and communication skills. The Student Professional Awareness Venture (S-PAVe) program gives teams of IEEE Student members the opportunity to develop project proposals to increase professional awareness and receive funding to implement the project.
The IEEE also sponsors Regional Student Paper contests with cash awards in each of the ten Regions and promotes outstanding student and faculty counselor recognition award programs. The IEEE offers rebates and allotments to help Student Branches with operating costs based on their timely submission of their Annual Report and Annual Plan. Upon submission of their Annual Report, Student Branches receive a $1.10 per member rebate. Upon submission of their Annual Plan, Branches receive $25.00 if they have less than 49 members, and $50.00 if they have 50 or more members, based on membership statistics as of 31 December each year.
The Student Services Department provides the following materials to support Student Branches:
- guidelines to form a Branch, petitions, bylaws, membership applications and posters
- leadership training manual
- information on scholarships and awards
- supplies (membership pins, benefit flyers, stationery, envelopes, etc.)
Establishing an IEEE Student Branch requires the signatures of 20 IEEE Student members on a petition. The petition must specify the name of the Branch, and the names of the Interim Student Chair and faculty member who will serve as Counselor of the Branch. The petition must also be approved by the Department Chair and two faculty members who are also IEEE members above student grade. Submit the petition to IEEE Student Services to begin the approval process, which includes review and approval by the IEEE Regional Director, Regional Student Activities Committee Chair and the IEEE Regional Activities Board (RAB). If further information is required, please contact: IEEE Student Services, Phone (732) 562-5527/5392, Fax (732) 463-3657 or e-mail: student-services@ieee.org
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