Annual Report to the Association of College Honor Societies 
2007-2008 Academic Year
1. Name of Society: PHI SIGMA TAU.
2. Field of study: Philosophy.
3. Classification (General, Specialized): Specialized.
4. National Headquarters: Phi Sigma Tau, Humanities Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90263.
a. Headquarters executive, including title: Dr. David E. Gibson, Executive Secretary.
b. Address: Humanities Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90263.
c. Telephone of National Headquarters: 310-506-4231.
d. Facsimile of National Headquarters: 310-506-7307.
e. E-mail address of National Headquarters: david.gibson@pepperdine.edu .
f. National Web site: None.
g. Number of salaried employees: 0.
h. Number of full/part-time employees: 0
5. Official ACHS Representative for fiscal year October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008 (the official representative is one who is appointed by the governance body of the organization):
a. Name: Dr. David E. Gibson.
b. Address: Humanities, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263
c. Telephone: 310-506-4231.
d. Facsimile: 310-506-7307.
e. E-mail address: david.gibson@pepperdine.edu .
6. National Officers — names and addresses: President: Dr. Eva H. Cadwallader, 3920 Fawn Drive, Denton, TX
76208; Vice President: Dr. Irmgard Scherer, Department of Philosophy, Loyola College, 4501 N. Charles
Street, Baltimore MD 21210-2699; Executive Secretary: Dr. David E. Gibson, Humanities Division, Pepperdine
University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90263; Area Council Representatives: Fr.
Joseph Koterski, S.J., Philosophy Department, Fordham University, Bronx, NY 10458-5198; Dr. Lee C. Rice,
Philosophy Department, Marquette University, PO Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881; Dr. Anne M.
Wiles, Department of Philosophy and Religion, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.
7. List total of Annual Operating Expenses (all funds, including foundation): $ 17,683.42.
8. Describe national publications (newsletters, journals, other). What proportion of budget do publications represent?: Newsletter (three times annually), Dialogue (journal: twice annually). Approximately 60% of total budget.
9. Summarize award program (national scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards). What proportion of budget does award program represent?: 1%. Our only current award program is for the author of the article judged best in each issue of Dialogue (two issues appear annually). The articles in each issue are ranked by the Editorial Board and Executive Council, and the author of the article judged best receives an honorarium ($75) and a Phi Sigma Tau Key. If more than one article is judged to be very strong, duplicate awards are issued.
10. National convention (or equivalent democratic process):
a. How often is it held? When called.
b. Describe the convention — its structure and goals: Primarily elective.
c. Describe national support of chapter delegates: Nominal.
d. What proportion of the budget does the convention represent?: For 2007-2008, 0.0%.
11. How often does your national board meet? Monthly, by conference.
12. How often does your society hold regional meetings? When arranged by local area chapters.
13. How does your society assure democratic participation of members in governance? Be specific: Officers are nominated by chapters and elected by chapter vote. Reconfirmation by chapter vote is required triennially, since terms of service are indefinite. Charter petitions are approved or disapproved by Executive Council and accepted or rejected by chapter vote.
14. Describe nomination and election process for national officers: Nomination from chapters (terms indefinite), each chapter has three votes (which may be split at the discretion of the chapter).
15. How does your society determine needs/values of members and member satisfaction? Email feedback from campus chapters and members, occasional surveys of members of National Alumni Chapter.
16. Describe national efforts to renew (re-energize) the society: None, as our growth and local activities appear to be increasing by natural means.
17. Describe programming:
a. National initiatives for encouraging student scholarship, research, leadership: The PST Newsletter (appearing in September, November, and March) disseminates information on chapter activities which is often an impetus to other chapters. Many chapters are now in communication via email, some publishing their own newsletters. In addition, the journal, Dialogue, presents an opportunity for students to submit their written work for critical examination and possible publication. Both articles and reviews of books are published in the journal.
b. National initiatives related to citizen leaders and service for the common good: This is left primarily to the local chapters, a significant number of which are engaged in various community support activities.
c. National initiatives to impact chapter programming: The PST Newsletter.
d. Other national projects: None.
18. Describe collaborative efforts with other honor societies, professional organizations, business: None at the national level, nor are any perceived as necessary. Local chapters often collaborate with other local campus honor societies.
19. Chapters
a. No. active (campus) chapters: 174 (as of 30 June 2008).
b. No. alumni chapters: 1 (National Alumni Chapter).
c. No. inactive (campus) chapters: 48 (as of 30 June 2008).
d. No. revoked chapters: 43 (as of 30 June 2008).
e. New chapters installed since last report — chapter name and institution: Massachusetts Kappa (University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth), Ohio Pi (Case Western Reserve University)
f. Chapters inactivated since last report — chapter name and institution: We do not have an inactivation procedure. Chapters which have no reports or activities within a twelve-month period are automatically moved to inactive status, which is considered temporary. After six years in this status, the charter is subject to revocation.
g. Chapters revoked since last report — chapter name and institution: Minnesota Alpha (University of St. Thomas) Texas Theta (Our Lady of the Lake University)
20. Membership:
a. Classifications (undergraduates, grad students, faculty, alumni, honorary, other): Local members include undergraduates, graduate students, and teachers; National Alumni Chapter members register upon graduation (or retirement for teachers) from local chapters; and Honorary members are nominated by local chapters and approved by the Executive Council.
b. National induction fee — What does it include (certificate, insignia, national dues, other)? $25.00. The fee includes certificate and membership package, subscriptions to The PST Newsletter and Dialogue for as long as the member is affiliated with the local chapter, and a one-year membership in the National Alumni Chapter following graduation.
c. National dues and benefits for each classification: $25 for local membership, $5 per year for National Alumni membership (after the first year), and $0 for honorary membership.
d. Membership acceptance rate: Varies with local chapters.
e. Total number new members — 2007-2008 academic year: 1043.
f. Grand total of members, including the 2007-2008 academic year: 32,344.
g. Total number of annual alumni members — 2007-2008 fiscal year: 224 (as of 30 June 2008). This is the total for the National Alumni Chapter, and several are actually in their first year (for which no fee is charged). Seventy students paid an annual fee to be members of the National Alumni Chapter.
21. In regard to your society, identify the top three challenges in assuring a dynamic future (1=highest priority):
1. [1] Campus chapter effectiveness
2. [2] Recruitment of national officers and volunteers
3. [3] Retention of alumni members
22. Miscellaneous:
a. National colors: White & purple.
b. Honor cord colors: White & purple.
c. Average monthly cost for Web Site — maintenance and service: $0.00.
Appendix: PST Constitution.
