General Initiation Information
*Due to COVID-19, the following requirements have been temporarily removed:
- Point System
- Community Service/Volunteer Hours
- In Person Events
The California Nu initiation process is explained below.
To become initiated as a member of Tau Beta Pi, all initiates must meet the following requirements:
To become initiated as a member of Tau Beta Pi, all initiates must meet the following requirements:
- Attend the mandatory events: Bent Day, Initiation, and Banquet.
- Acquire 5 points in the point system - CLICK HERE to learn more about the point system!
- Complete and submit interview before game night.
- Submit the following documents and fees prior to Initiation.
Bent Day*
We will be meeting in front of Building 9 (2nd floor towards the street) where we will collect the first set of requirements.
Then we will begin the bent cleaning.
You will also be filling out information for the club registry and receiving your personal bent.
Due on Bent Day
Then we will begin the bent cleaning.
You will also be filling out information for the club registry and receiving your personal bent.
Due on Bent Day
- Unofficial transcript with GPA and one 300/400 level core engineering class passed. Please highlight these items or have it ready to show on phone/laptop.
- $20 which covers the cost of your personal bent.
Volunteer Hours*
Tau Beta Pi members are not only exceptional students, but also outstanding members of their communities. We require every new member to complete at least 5 hours of community service. There are many places to complete your requirement, from tutoring on campus to working with established volunteer organizations. This requirement must be met before Games Night.
Your hours can be verified by the form provided below, or an official letter.
Your hours can be verified by the form provided below, or an official letter.
Bent Polishing
Taken from the official information handbook:
“The official badge of the Association is a watch key in the form of the bent of a trestle...[It] was first designed in the late eighteenth century to include a pocket-watch winding feature...The bottom stem added to the basic insignia had a tapered square hole fitting the common size of watch-winding shafts. The top stem and ring were added so that the key could be worn as a pendant from a chain rather than a pin or badge, thus easily used to wind watches.”
Polishing your bent is a symbol of your dedication to the honor society and you will be wearing it at initiation. You may also choose to wear the bent at graduation, so it is well worth the effort to achieve the best finish possible. Your polished bent will need to gain the approval of everyone giving you a signature for your signature sheet.
Your polished bent needs at least 10 signatures of approval on the sheet below.
Finding Tau Beta Pi members to sign the sheet is part of the initiation tradition. Professor Miller of the Mechanical Engineering department has been known to provide a list of M.E. professors who are members outside of his office door. Professor Cockrum of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department has prepared a similar list which can be found in the E.C.E. department office. In addition to these lists, you can obtain signatures from officers of the club. They are listed on the officers page.
Below are links to polishing instructions from several chapters, including our own. We do NOT allow the use of power tools in our chapter.
“The official badge of the Association is a watch key in the form of the bent of a trestle...[It] was first designed in the late eighteenth century to include a pocket-watch winding feature...The bottom stem added to the basic insignia had a tapered square hole fitting the common size of watch-winding shafts. The top stem and ring were added so that the key could be worn as a pendant from a chain rather than a pin or badge, thus easily used to wind watches.”
Polishing your bent is a symbol of your dedication to the honor society and you will be wearing it at initiation. You may also choose to wear the bent at graduation, so it is well worth the effort to achieve the best finish possible. Your polished bent will need to gain the approval of everyone giving you a signature for your signature sheet.
Your polished bent needs at least 10 signatures of approval on the sheet below.
- Bent Signature Sheet (3 Officer Signatures Required)
- List of Tau Beta Pi Faculty Members - click here
Finding Tau Beta Pi members to sign the sheet is part of the initiation tradition. Professor Miller of the Mechanical Engineering department has been known to provide a list of M.E. professors who are members outside of his office door. Professor Cockrum of the Electrical and Computer Engineering department has prepared a similar list which can be found in the E.C.E. department office. In addition to these lists, you can obtain signatures from officers of the club. They are listed on the officers page.
Below are links to polishing instructions from several chapters, including our own. We do NOT allow the use of power tools in our chapter.
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Initiate Interview
Please make sure that you take the time to fill out the interview form as best as possible. There is plenty of time to get this done so please be thorough with your answers.
Game Night*
Game night is an opportunity to mingle with current officers, members, and fellow initiates. We will be meeting in the Games Room in the Bronco Student Center. If you are unable to attend, the required items must be submitted beforehand.
Due on Game Night
Due on Game Night
- Polished bent to present for verification and, if desired, entry into “Best Bent” competition.
- Volunteer Hours Verification
- Bent Signature Sheet (3 Officer Signatures REQUIRED)
- List of Faculty Tau Beta Pi Members - click here
- Resume submitted to [email protected]
- $100 one time initiation fee
Initiation and Banquet*
The culmination of all your hard work is the initiation ceremony. All initiates must attend the ceremony. It is a requirement to be a member of Tau Beta Pi. This is a formal event so please dress accordingly. Remember that you will also be wearing your polished bent on the night of the ceremony. It is important that you arrive on time as late comers will not be permitted to enter. If you miss the ceremony you will have to wait for the next Fall or Spring quarter. This ceremony is NOT open to guests unless they are also Tau Beta Pi members. The ceremony will last approximately one hour.
The banquet is a celebration of your initiation that you can share with guests. It is held in your honor and you are required to attend, unless you express you are unable to. There will be guest speakers, and this is where we will present the award for best bent. Congratulations to the newest Tau Bates!
The banquet is a celebration of your initiation that you can share with guests. It is held in your honor and you are required to attend, unless you express you are unable to. There will be guest speakers, and this is where we will present the award for best bent. Congratulations to the newest Tau Bates!