History
The Society of Fellows began in the fall of 1980 with a weekend seminar devoted to questions in applied ethics. The first class of members inducted at the formal inauguration of the Society in December 1981 was named after distinguished philosopher and Pace faculty member William Barrett. Since then, a new class is inducted annually and named after a member of our society who has made a significant contribution to the ideals we hold important. To date, more than 400 hold the distinction of Fellow of Dyson College.
Charter
Charles H. Dyson, Edward J. Mortola, Joseph E. Houle, M. Teresa Brady, R.D.C, John H. Buchsbaum, Louis V. Quintas
Being bound by ties of friendship and dedication to the ideals of liberal education, do hereby constitute themselves and their successors, forever, as fellows of the Dyson College with the duty of promoting undergraduate scholarship among the members of said college and admitting into its society and fellowship only those students, faculty, alumni, staff and friends of the Dyson College who advance in a noteworthy and exemplary fashion the purposes if the society as expressed in its constitution.
Constitution of the Society of Fellows of the Dyson College, Pace University
In order to implement the principles laid down in the Charter of the Society of Fellows of the Dyson College, the following Constitution is adopted.
Part One
The purpose of the Society of Fellows of the Dyson College is to foster undergraduate
scholarship in the arts and sciences at Pace University by identifying men and women of
exceptional academic potential and by helping them to develop their talents. It is the
responsibility of involved faculty to encourage and guide outstanding students in their
endeavor to achieve scholastic excellence through membership in the Society and
participation in its program of academic, social, and creative activities.
The activities of the Society are:
1. |
Seminars, normally including at least one weekend seminar each year and occasional mini-seminars, which provide an opportunity for students and faculty to consider and debate issues of significance to the arts and sciences under the leadership of qualified scholars. |
|
2. |
The Annual Meeting provides for the formal presentation of students’ scholarly papers, projects, or artistic creations. |
|
3. |
The Annual Initiation Ceremony publicly installs Fellows and recognizes Associates. |
|
4. |
Transactions is a publication of the Society which publishes work done by Pace University students under the sponsorship of a member of the Pace faculty or a Fellow. |
The activities of the Society are supported by the Office of the Dean of the Dyson College.
The Society is governed by an Executive Board in accordance with this Constitution.
Part Two: Membership
Membership in the Society of Fellows is open to students, faculty, alumni, and friends of
Dyson College who make a significant contribution toward achieving the goals of the
Society. Participants in the Society include Associates, Fellows, and Honorary Fellows,
and are recognized or elected as such by the Executive Board of the Society.
Applicants. Students who meet at least one of the following criteria are sent information about the Society at the beginning of each Fall semester:
1. |
Matriculation in Arts and Sciences, Education, or Computer Science with a CQPA of 3.5 and a minimum of 30 credits. |
|
2. |
Admission to the Honors Program. |
|
3. |
A recommendation by a faculty member or Fellow. |
Associates. Once the Membership Committee has reviewed documentation presented by candidates for recognition as Associates, the committee presents those candidates for a final vote by the Executive Board. Candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. |
Participation in a weekend seminar. |
|
2. |
Presentation of a paper at the Annual Meeting. |
|
3. |
Authorship of a paper accepted for publication in Transactions. |
|
4. |
Other significant accomplishments, supported by a recommendation from a Fellow. |
Fellows. Once the Membership Committee has reviewed documentation presented by candidates for election as Fellows, the committee presents those candidates for a final vote by the Executive Board. Candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
1. |
Currently recognized as an Associate of the Society of Fellows of Dyson College. |
|
2. |
An excellent command of written and spoken English as well as some knowledge of at least one other language. |
|
3. |
Enough knowledge of mathematics to be able to function well in the study of the natural and social sciences. |
|
4. |
Mastery, appropriate to an undergraduate, in an area of the liberal, fine, or performing arts, or in one of the natural or social sciences. |
|
5. |
Submission of some scholarly work or artistic project which is of a level of quality beyond expected classroom requirements. |
|
6. |
Participation in at least two Fellows-sponsored events over the course of two separate Academic years. |
|
7. |
Submission of a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or Fellow attesting to the quality of the work and achievements that are being submitted for advancement to Fellow. |
Faculty members are invited to be installed as Fellows by the Executive Board after the candidates have made at least two contributions to the work of the Society in two different Academic years. Such contributions should include at least one of the following:
1. |
Service as a student’s mentor in the preparation of an oral or written presentation - a paper read at the Annual Meeting, a paper accepted for publication in Transactions, an oral presentation before a recognized scholarly organization, or a paper accepted for publication in a recognized scholarly journal. |
|
2. |
Service to the Society as a seminar leader or panelist. |
Honorary Fellows. Friends of the Society are elected Honorary Fellows by the Executive Board if they meet at least one of the following criteria:
1. |
A person who has made an outstanding scholarly contribution to his or her field of expertise. |
|
2. |
A person who has made an outstanding contribution to the work of the Society. |
Attendance at the Annual Initiation Ceremony is required for recognition as an Associate or initiation as a Fellow. Exceptions to the preceding rule require the approval of the Executive Board.
No Associate or Fellow may be stricken from the Membership Roll unless such action is approved by the Executive Board.
Part Three: Governance
The Society of Fellows shall be governed by an Executive Board. The Dean of the Dyson
College, or his designate, shall serve as Chair of the Executive Board. The Administrator
shall serve as an ex-officio member. Membership shall include the Faculty coordinators
of the Pace campuses and the chairs of the five standing committees. These seven
members must be Faculty Fellows. At-large members shall be added to a maximum of
seven. Except for the Dean and the Administrator, each Board member shall serve for a
three-year term. The number of successive three-year terms that such a Board member
may serve is limited to two. The Executive Board may appoint a replacement for any
Board member who does not serve out his or her term.
The Executive Board shall meet at least once each semester. The Executive Board shall supervise all the activities of the Society. Each standing committee shall be accountable to the Executive Board.
The Society’s operating budget and any funds that it may hold are supervised by the Office of the Dean of the Dyson College. The Executive Board shall review budgetary matters of the Society.
The Executive Board, through a two-thirds vote of the entire Board, may amend this Constitution.
Faculty Coordinators. The Executive Board shall elect one Faculty Coordinator from the New York campus and one from the Westchester campus of Pace University. The Faculty Coordinators shall serve as the contact persons at their respective locations for faculty, alumni, and students concerning questions and issues about the Society.
Standing Committees. There shall be five standing committees: Membership, Initiation, Annual Meeting, Seminar, and Transactions. Committee chairs shall be elected by the Executive Board. Each chair may appoint associate chairs and committee members with the approval of the Executive Board.
