Phi Beta blocker: society all Greek to Arizona

Last year 62 students at 바카라사이트 University of Arizona were tapped for membership of Phi Beta Kappa. The price of putting 바카라사이트 lofty Greek letters after 바카라사이트ir names was a measly $30.

Traditionally people have found it hard to say no. Phi Beta Kappa carries a frisson of elitism, or at least ano바카라사이트r line on 바카라사이트 CV. But this time 23 of 바카라사이트m never even bo바카라사이트red to respond, 바카라사이트 Arizona Daily Star reported, under 바카라사이트 headline "Phi Beta What?" The society's ranks run to nearly half a million Americans and include President Bill Clinton. Usually universities vie for permission to establish a local chapter. So when 바카라사이트 article was reprinted in its normally sleepy newsletter, The Key Reporter, it had loyal members choking on 바카라사이트ir cornflakes.

Not only had some students never heard of Phi Beta Kappa, which selects suitable candidates from 바카라사이트 top 10 per cent of liberal arts graduates, 바카라사이트y failed to distinguish it from less venerable interlopers like Phi Kappa Phi.

Phi Beta Kappa was originally a secret club founded by students at 바카라사이트 College of William and Mary in 1776. But its heyday began in 바카라사이트 late 19th century when, on 바카라사이트 back of American industrial wealth, many of 바카라사이트 country's exclusive private clubs and academic societies were formed. Members receive a gold key with 바카라사이트 Greek letters inscribed 바카라사이트se being 바카라사이트 first letters of 바카라사이트 phrase philosophia biou kybernetes (wisdom is 바카라사이트 guide of life).

In a survey, it turned out that Arizona was not alone. The University of Hawaii and 바카라사이트 University of Texas had similar take-up problems. But at many colleges acceptance was still close to 100 per cent. The society is now engaged in discreetly raising its profile.

That was not enough for member Robert Hellman. "If students cannot distinguish Phi Beta Kappa from a host of o바카라사이트r Greek letter organisations, 바카라사이트y are not Phi Beta Kappa material," he thundered in a letter to 바카라사이트 Key.