Fun, Competition, Learning and Leadership:
Student Societies in MEAM

Although they vary in size and scope, student societies play an important role in the department's overall educational process. In fact, many students are active in more than one. Most of the student societies provide opportunities for personal and professional growth through a variety of leadership and team-focused activities. All off er at least some degree of social outlet from the intense, career-focused learning experiences that define a MEAM student's life.

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) The expressed purpose of ASME is to advance and disseminate the theory and practice of mechanical engineering and related fields. As part of its educational function, the society coordinates student attendance at various regional and international ASME conferences, competitions and other activities. It also hosts weekly luncheon meetings featuring a range of speakers from industry and academia. These meetings are open to faculty and staff, as well as ASME members and nonmembers alike. ASME groups have participated in Habitat for Humanity projects, and the ASME-sponsored Slide Rule Ball is a highlight of the department's annual social calendar. Current membership: ~150. Officers 1994-95: Derek Hogland/Arun D'Souza, president; Lori Fox, Matt Warner, Mihir Patel/Kyle Koestner/Jonathan Maddux/Terry Weiss, vice presidents; Ron Fuller/ Ravi Gopal treasurer; Kelley Schrubba/Nathan Murphy/Kris Seeger secretaries.	GRIME (Graduates in Mechanical Engineering) As a counterpoint to the highly-focused cerebral activity of graduate studies, GRIME exists largely for fun. Since its founding in 1994, the association's events have grown to include graduate student orientation, bi-weekly happy hours, and such intramural sports as broomball and softball. GRIME also hosts group expeditions to Cedar Point, bowling forays, and an annual trip to the North American International Auto Show. The group has a serious side as well. Extending beyond its original commitment to helping graduate students prepare for their qualifying exams, GRIME has recently taken a leadership role in reshaping the qualifying process. GRIME also disseminates information to all graduate members, sponsors a support group for MEAM women, and its members volunteer for various Focus: Hope activities. Current membership: ~400.
MESLB (Mechanical Engineering Student Leader Board) This new board is comprised of the presidents of the five officially sanctioned student societies (ASME, GRIME, Pi Tau Sigma, SAE and UMME), three at-large members who are active in student activities, the administrative associate, and one or more faculty members. As a consensus-forming body, the board exists to improve the educational experience of all MEAM students; to facilitate better communications between MEAM students, faculty and administration; and to foster a greater sense of community and cooperation among various student groups. First year efforts have centered on building closer student/faculty relations, and on resolving a variety of curriculum issues.	Pi Tau Sigma Membership in Pi Tau Sigma (PTS), the national mechanical engineering student honor society, is restricted to those who rank in the top 25 percent of their junior class, or in the top 33 percent of their senior class. Originally an undergraduate-only organization, Michigan's Pi Rho chapter of PTS now includes graduate students. In addition to sponsoring MEAM's annual Design Competition, PTS participates in numerous service activities including peer counseling, tutoring, and a Big Brother/ Big Sister mentorship program which pairs society members with incoming students. Each term, members prepare and serve meals for the Ann Arbor Hunger Coalition. During the winter and spring terms, the society hosts a banquet at which it presents the coveted Professor of the Term Award. Current membership: 81. Officers 1994-95: Theo Moreno/Stacey Segowski, president; Norm Peralta/Matt Mathias, vice president; Amy Donaldson/ Jennifer Roush, secretary of affairs; Stacey Segowski/Mark Stock, corresponding secretary; Clay Hunt/Jason Weidman, treasurer; and 24 committee chairpersons.
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Through a combination of educational programs, technical competitions and leadership challenges, SAE provides many opportunities for students to amass and then apply knowledge to real-life engineering problems. The focus of the College's SAE chapter extends to all forms of land, sea, and air transportation. Not only is it the world's largest student branch, but the College's SAE group is one of the best, as evidenced by its 1994-95 outstanding student branch designation: an honor conferred by the SAE International Committee. During 1995, U-M SAE student teams finished first overall in the Mini-Baja Midwest race; took another first in the Coopers & Lybrand sponsored Time-Based Manufacturing competition; and in Formula SAE competition captured top honors in the dynamics events and placed fifth overall. Also in 1995, Michigan's SAE team finished sixth in its first-ever entry in the highly competitive national hybrid electric vehicle competition. Current membership: 230. Officers 1994-95: Brian Bishop, president; Laura Sebesta, secretary; John Okasinski, treasurer.	UMME (Underrepresented Minority Mechanical Engineers) UMME was founded in the fall of 1995 in direct response to President James Duderstadt's call for students to create "community excellence while preserving and respecting difference." Established with the support of MEAM and the MEPO office, the goals of the organization are to: (1) ensure that minority students take full advantage of MEAM resources; (2) promote the interaction of different cultures within the College and the department; and (3) help first and second year minority students make the adjustment to college life. Among the services UMME offers its members are tutoring, peer counseling, study groups and job placement and annually sponsors a discussion forum. Current membership: 36.