Founded at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health in 1924, Delta Omega is the honorary society for graduate studies in public health. In December 2007, the University of Connecticut Public Health Student Organization (PHSO) worked diligently and successfully enrolled the program into Delta Omega, America’s most prestigious public health honor society and formed the Beta Rho Chapter of Delta Omega at the University of Connecticut. Our first members were inducted in 2008. Beta Rho is one of the more than 80 chapters of Delta Omega throughout the world.
The mission of the Delta Omega Society and the Beta Rho Chapter at UConn is to encourage and recognize scholarship and research among students undertaking graduate study; to acknowledge alumni, faculty, and public health professionals that have truly distinguished themselves through academic achievement, advancement of public health research, excellence in public health practice and leadership in the field.
Beta Rho, the UConn Chapter of Delta Omega, continues to expand and includes more than 65 members taken from its student, faculty, and alumni ranks of the UConn Graduate Program in Public Health.
Delta Omega Beta Rho Membership
Membership in Delta Omega reflects the dedication of an individual to quality in the field of public health and to protection and advancement of the health of all people. The chapters elect new members each year from four groups: (1) students who are candidates for a graduate degree in public health, (2) faculty members at the schools and programs of public health, (3) alumni actively engaged in public health work, and (4) honorary members who possess exceptional qualifications and have attained meritorious distinction in the field of public health. Election from each group is based on outstanding performance: scholarship in students, teaching and research in faculty members, and community service and leadership in alumni and honorary members.
Each spring, new members are solicited during March and April. Students may apply during their the graduation year, while all others require a nomination from the UConn public health community, an application form and submission of a copy of their curriculum vitae or resume. Listed below are the membership categories and criteria for membership based on the chapter's by-laws:
Students
Each chapter may induct no more than twenty percent (20%) of eligible graduate candidates and 10% of eligible undergraduate candidates in a given calendar year. The selection committee will give particular attention to academic excellence and shall take into consideration commitment to the public health profession.
In order to be eligible for regular membership in the Society, a student shall:
(i) intend, so far as can be ascertained, to follow a career in public health AND
(ii) have completed one full year of academic courses or be in the last grading period leading to a masters or doctoral degree in public health offered by a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health; OR
(iii) be enrolled be enrolled in the last year of a CEPH-accredited baccalaureate degree program.
Faculty
Each year chapters may induct up to the greater of 2 faculty or the equivalent of 3% of faculty FTE (sum of FTEs in CEPH Tables E1 (primary instructional) and E2 (other instructional)) most recently reported to CEPH (self-study or annual report). Even though the limits are based on faculty numbers reported to CEPH, chapters may consider induction of all categories of faculty associated with the unit of accreditation, including adjunct and part-time. Each chapter shall establish selection criteria consistent with its institutional criteria for the recognition and promotion of its faculty.
Alumnus/a
Each chapter may induct graduates of the school or program of public health whose work in the practice of public health would serve as a model for future graduates Chapters may induct graduate alumni members in an amount not to exceed half of the number of graduate student inductees. Chapters may induct undergraduate alumni members in an amount not to exceed half the number of undergraduate student inductees each year.
Honorary
Honorary members shall be elected by unanimous vote of the Executive Board. This membership shall be limited and conferred only upon persons possessing exceptional qualifications. Persons may be nominated for Honorary Membership by the chapter, or by any member of the National Council.
New members are elected for membership at the Annual Delta Omega Membership meeting typically held in late April. New Members are inducted in early May. Members pay annual dues to remain active in the honor society and participate in social events and scholarly activities.