As pledges of Chi Epsilon, students are expected to uphold the four pillars of the Honor Society. These pillars - Scholarship, Character, Practicality, and Sociability - will be tested throughout the pledge process. Through pledge events and activities, pledges develop and hone the two virtues of Character and Sociability. Quizzes verify a pledge's scholastic ability and tutoring allow pledges to perpetuate Scholarship throughout the civil engineering community. Pledge projects, pledge keys, and community service ensure pledges possess Practicality.

If you are interested in becoming a member of Chi Epsilon, you must meet specific academic prerequisites before being invited to join. Please see the Scholastic Requirements section in Membership Requirements for more information.

Pledge Events and Activities

Participation in these events is mandatory for those who are serious about becoming part of Chi Epsilon, as developing Character and Sociability is a fundamental aspect of Chi Epsilon membership and employment in the engineering industry as well. Below is a typical list of pledge events and activities.

Prospective Pledge Informational Meeting

This informational meeting acts as an introduction to Chi Epsilon for prospective pledges. Any questions about XE membership and the pledge process are answered at this meeting. The Marshal delivers a presentation about Chi Epsilon and the pledge process. Members also attend the meeting to discuss with the prospective pledges and answer any questions they may have about Chi Epsilon and the benefits of pledging.

Pledge Interview

Pledges who desire to join the ranks of Chi Epsilon are subject to a group interview by the members and faculty advisors. Members seek to gain a better understanding of the prospective pledges through this interview by asking a variety of questions to evaluate whether the students fit the qualifications of Chi Epsilon. After the interview, members and faculty advisors deliberate on whether or not to accept a student as an official pledge.

Pledge Potluck

During the Pledge Potluck, members and pledges get to know each other in an informal setting. At this potluck, the Marshal asks pledges to share some basic information about themselves. In the past, pledges were asked to bring an item that best represented them, compose a skit with the other pledges, share a talent of theirs, etc.

Pledge Picnic

The pledge barbecue and picnic is a potluck social, usually taking place at Magic Island or Kaka'ako Beach Park. At the barbecue, the pledges are asked to compete in various competitions to display Character. The picnic allows members to get to know the pledges and allows pledges also demonstrate Sociability.

Pledge Week

Pledge week typically falls near the end of the semester, the week before the last week of classes, and ends with Pledge Night (see below). During pledge week, pledges must dress in business attire for the whole week. Pledges are expected to have fabricated the Chi Epsilon Transit by the beginning of this week and obtain the signatures of all the Civil Engineering Faculty, members of their pledge class, and current members of the organization. Pledges are also expected to complete a scavenger hunt as a group.

Pledge Night

At Pledge Night, pledges will present their signed and completed transits for inspection (they are expected to stand on their own) and recite the preamble individually and as a group. Each pledge must recite the preamble perfectly before moving on. Pledges and members take part in a couple of activities and are treated to food and drinks. At pledge night, the pledges that have displayed the four pillars of Chi Epsilon: Scholarship, Practicality, Character, and Sociability, are informally inducted into the Honor Society. Also at pledge night, officers are elected for the following semester.

Ritual and Initiation Banquet

Before the initiation banquet, members and pledges conduct the traditional Ritual Ceremony of Chi Epsilon to formally induct pledges into the organization. The chosen Chapter Honor Member and/or Faculty Honor Member are also inducted during this ceremony. After the ceremony, a formal banquet is held to celebrate the occasion. Family and friends of the recent inductees are welcome to attend, along with alumni of Chi Epsilon. At the initiation banquet, pledges are required to present a slideshow illustrating their activities for the semester.

As part of the banquet program, in the fall semesters, Chi Epsilon presents a “Civil Engineering Freshman of the Year” award to a student who has excelled scholastically during his or her first year in the civil engineering program.

Pledge Projects

Each pledge class is required to conceive, design, plan, and build a structure for the benefit of the UH campus or the community in general. The project requires hard work and extensive coordination and planning amongst the pledges. This project reinforces all the core virtues of Chi Epsilon and while being a very challenging endeavor, is extremely fun. It is a way for each pledge class to leave their mark and is something for the pledges to be proud of.

The Engineer’s Transit (Keys)

The official emblem of Chi Epsilon is a key that represents the full front view of an engineer's transit. The jewel represents the objective of the transit, the hole is the eye piece, the notches on the sides are leveling screws, and the stem represents the Engineer’s tripod.

Upon initiation, each member of the Hawaii Chapter of Chi Epsilon is required to make their own key according to specifications. The skill, effort, and teamwork put into the construction of the keys reflects on the qualities of a good civil engineer: Scholarship, Character, Practicality, and Sociability.

These keys must be completed before pledge night. See the "Key Making Guide" for instruction on constructing the Chi Epsilon Key.

Quizzes

Chi Epsilon History Quiz

The History Quiz is intended to test pledges on the background and general information on Chi Epsilon. This allows pledges to learn about the history and background of the Honor Society. The questions asked in the quiz are based on the history of Chi Epsilon, the principles of the society, the universities involved with Chi Epsilon, members of the national council of Chi Epsilon, and other facts about the Honor Society (See Attachment III, Study Guide – Chi Epsilon History Quiz). The History Quiz is completed individually and conducted at the beginning of the semester. For the fall semesters, the pledges with the two highest scores have the opportunity to attend the Pacific District Conference (See Section 4.1).

Chi Epsilon Engineering Quiz

The Engineering Quiz involves problems relating to course materials from CEE 270, CEE 271, CEE 320, and CEE 370. This group quiz is required of all pledges to demonstrate their Scholarship and teamwork. Textbooks and notes are allowed during the quiz. Pledges must generate the correct answers for every question before being dismissed.