3rd meeting (10/15): Bake Sale Discussion and Movie Evening

In order to address the concerns of those who would like to attend the Tuesday meetings but could not make it at that time, the PSI CHI officers decided to try and see if alternating the times of the meetings with a meeting on Tuesday (4pm-5pm) and a meeting on Wednesday (5pm-6pm) in a month. The turn-out was quite good last night and we have decided to stick to that plan for the rest of the semester.

We discussed about the upcoming bake sale in which the proceeds would go to the Ronald MacDonald House. Members volunteered to help out in baking and selling on next Wednesday (10/22) from 9am-2pm. So, if you are reading this and you're a U of M's student, do drop by Elliott Hall lobby sometime during the bake sale to support our cause.

Later, we watched a documentary by Slavoj Zizek, a Lacanian Marxist, psychoanalyst, philosopher, and politician about himself. It's called "Zizek". He portrays himself as contradictory, self-opinionated, highly doctrinated, pessimistic, and outrageously analytical person; he is constantly obsessed with how things work and why they are they way they are and criticizing mainstream views. Yet, he has tons of fans. He is famous for many controversial books he published. Let's just say he is a unique case study. LOL... We only got through a little bit of the documentary due to time constraint though.

2nd Meeting (9/30): Learning from the eyes of a volunteer

Yesterday, Ali Hodek, a representative from the Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education gave and informal presentation on how they reduce intimate partner violence on campus through services for survivors and education form the community. She also talked aobut sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, as well as her volunteer experience with Aurora Center. She discussed the two main positions in Aurora - advocates (or counselors) and educators - with the focus on educators as she is one herself. She shared her experience going through the trainings to become an educator and her experience giving presentations to various student groups with her advisor. According to her, the experience as a volunteer in the Aurora Center changed her life. She gained more awareness about society's pressure on violence victims as opposed to the victimizers. She also gained more compassion and motivation to provide help and service to those in need of them.

Check out Aurora Center's website: http://www1.umn.edu/aurora/

Wanna contribute to Psych studies?

First Study:

Dr. Matthew J. Zagumny was a former Psi Chi member who needs our help for
his current research. He was awarded the Thelma Hunt Research Grant which
is used to fund research to further Psi Chi's mission.

The study is an online questionnaire which assesses alcohol/ drug use,
stress ad membership in various organizations among psychology majors in
the institutions.

The name of the survey is Tennessee Tech Alcohol and Drug Survey (TTADS)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3sa1NOAH11EJmNNiiWBeyA_3d_3d

Just click or copy & paste the link onto a new browser and you will be directed to
the site.

Please complete the survey by Monday September 22, 2008. Also if you want
to pass the survey to others- please do so!!

Also, the result of the study will be published next year in the "Eye of
Psi Chi"

Second study:

Emily Fisher and Ludwin Molina (Both from the U) are conducting a study to
better understand student perceptions of unversity climate (Social groups
and community attitudes).

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=joOKSc9QomlR33yzgO08pw_3d_3d

1st Meeting (9/16): Pizzas & Club Intro

Pizzas, pizzas and more pizzas...*gonna throw up*. Alex gave a brief introduction about our club and some overview of what we will be doing throughout the semester while the rest of us and the new members enjoyed our pizzas :) . We also asked for opinions and suggestions of additional activities from the members and explained ways members who are interested can be officers the next academic year.

Coming up next meeting: A presentation by an Aurora Center for Advocacy and Education representative on how they reduce intimate partner violence on campus through services for survivors and education for the community.

This is your chance to ask questions and gain insight on working in a human services center, especially one that is strongly related to the field of psychology in addition to learn how you can be more involved in the community and its issues.

Member Benefits

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Member of Psi Chi?

The intrinsic value of membership is rewarding to the achiever in that recognition of excellence leads to self-fulfillment and thus to self-realization. By recognizing that what you do does make a difference, you are stimulated to higher productivity. Accomplishments are enjoyed more when shared with others. Furthermore, the contacts made through Psi Chi will be valuable throughout your educational and professional careers.

Concrete advantages of membership include:

• The documents a membership certificate and card which give tangible evidence of membership.
• The references provided throughout one's lifetime (this service alone is worth the investment).
• The experience gained by working with Psi Chi is excellent for building up a resume; it is difficult to attain that first managerial and creative experience.
• Psi Chi is a springboard for professional growth. Opportunities are made available to the members for promoting their research, receiving national and international recognition, meeting and interacting with leaders in their field, and meeting Psi Chi members of other chapters who also will be future leaders.
• The United States government recognizes membership in Psi Chi as meeting one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in the Federal service.
• Climaxing the benefits mentioned above is knowing that many individuals, by their caring, dedication, perseverance, and hard work, have made it possible to encourage young persons interested in psychology to strive for excellence--to reach toward that attainable star.

The ultimate test of the value of any membership organization lies in the accomplishments of its members. In each year of Psi Chi's history, more and more members have undertaken graduate studies. Psi Chi is well represented in the professional ranks of all the behavioral sciences. The membership directories of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS) are studded with the names of Psi Chi members, both active and alumni. This is only one example demonstrating that the Society's purposes are being fulfilled.

Ten Advantages to Becoming a Member of Psi Chi:

1. Psi Chi provides national recognition for academic excellence in psychology, an honor which can be noted on employment applications, vitae, and résumés.

2. Through membership in Psi Chi, students gain a sense of community with others in psychology and an identification with the discipline.

3. Psi Chi provides a local, regional, and national forum for obtaining information and developing perspectives about the field of psychology, learning about educational and career opportunities, and forming meaningful professional networks.

4. On the local level, chapter membership facilitates leadership development, interaction with other students who have similar interests, and service to the department and institution sponsoring Psi Chi.

5. Members receive a membership card and certificate and, through chapter mailings, copies of Eye on Psi Chi. (Following graduation, members may subscribe to Eye on Psi Chi.)

6. Psi Chi chapter activities provide students with valuable opportunities to develop one-on-one relationships with professors who can stimulate their interest in psychology, involve them in research projects, and write meaningful letters of recommendation for them.

7. Psi Chi encourages student research at the regional and national as well as local levels through undergraduate and graduate research award competitions and provides opportunities for students to present research and receive certificates recognizing their accomplishments at regional and national psychological association meetings.

8. Psi Chi provides over $225,000 annually in awards and grants to its student members, faculty advisors, and chapters.

9. Psi Chi sponsors outstanding programs at regional and national psychological association meetings. Members benefit not only from the programs, but also from the opportunity to meet leading psychologists and students from other chapters.

10. Membership in Psi Chi meets one of the requirements for entrance at the GS-7 level in numerous professional and technical occupations in the United States government.

11. Membership is for life. The national registration fee of $35 is the only payment ever made to the national organization, which does not charge dues.

Specific U-Benefits

. Learn about available research opportunities and get involved in a research lab.

. Guest lecturers from the department

. Get advice and information on the U of M courses and curriculum. Talk to people who have taken psych courses or find a study group.

Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Please give careful consideration to applying for the following fellowship/scholarship opportunities for which you qualify. Many students who are quite competitive for these awards do not consider applying - don't let this be you!

Find a list of the scholarship opportunities available through the University of Minnesota and the Psychology Department are listed here.

Find a complete list of Scholarships Available to Psi Chi Members only in Psi Chi Grants and Awards.

Research

RESEARCH WEBSITES

A great place to start is the Psych's Research website and the UROP website. Take a look at the ongoing projects that might be of interest to you.

FACULY INTEREST PAGE

If you are not sure whom you would like to work with for Directed Studies, Directed Research, Senior Project or Honors Thesis, check the Faculty Research Interest page!

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVE

Internships, Learning Abroad in Psychology, Journal Publications, Volunteer etc.

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Become A Member!

BECOMING A MEMBER OF PSI CHI

Eligibility for undergraduates includes:

Completion of 3 semesters of college coursework.
Completion of 9 Psychology credits.
Minimum 3.2 GPA in Psychology.
Minimum 3.2 GPA overall.

• Fill out an application, (download here or pick one up on our office door of Elliott 104), and return to the folder on that same door.
• Once you've been accepted, you will be notified via email

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at psichi@umn.edu

About Us

Past Psi Chi events have ranged from educational events, such as inviting a faculty speaker, to attending local events, fundraising, and volunteering. Meetings are informal and open to anyone who is interested in psychology-related topics. Furthermore, since the events are planned by students, your input and ideas are always welcome and needed. Events are planned according to your interests, so if there is something you are interested in, don't hesitate to stop by at our meetings or contact us and voice your opinion...

• The Psi Chi office is located on the first floor of Elliott Hall in Room 104 (right across from Vendoland).
• Email: psichi@umn.edu
• Phone: 612-625-2329
• Address: 75 E River Road Minneapolis, MN 55455

President
Vui Ung (ungxx004@umn.edu)

Vice President
Beth Nygard (nygar016@umn.edu)

Treasurer
Alex Nelson (nels5271@umn.edu)

Secretary & Blog Editor
Sylvia Sng (sngxx001@umn.edu)

Advisor
Holly Hatch-Surisook (hhatch@umn.edu)

Dept. Head
Gordon Legge (legge@umn.edu)
(612)625-0846