SHPE History

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community.

The concept of Networking was the key basis for the organization. SHPE quickly established two student chapters to begin the network that would grow to encompass the nation as well as reach countries outside the United States. Today, SHPE enjoys a strong but independent network of professional and student chapters throughout the nation.

Chapter History

In 1979, a SHPE student chapter was founded at Purdue University, but the organization became inactive in 1981. In 1986, a new group of students reactivated the Purdue University chapter for the growing Hispanic community on campus. Since its reactivation, SHPE Purdue has defined itself as a strong, dynamic organization fully capable of participating as a leader in the engineering community at Purdue University.

Mission

"Leading, molding, and representing the Hispanic Community in the professional world while embracing the diversity of the Purdue community and providing an environment for personal and professional development and socializing."

Vision

"SHPE is the leading social-technical organization whose primary function is to enhance and achieve the potential of Hispanics in engineering, math and science."

Mantra

"The Source for Quality Hispanic Engineers and Technical Talent"

Strategic focus Areas

"We will fulfill our mission by increasing educational opportunities, promoting professional and personal growth, carry out our social responsibility to be involved in education, business and government issues and enhancing pride within our organization and reinforcing our reputation as a vital Hispanic organization."

2007-2008 [ President: Thomas Ervesun ]

2006-2007 [ President: Isabella Vallejo ]

Region VI Chapter of the Month, December 2006
1st Place at the Latino Cultural Center Retreat, Spring 2007
Won Grand Prix Pole
Qualified for 2006xTreme Engineering Competitio
Outreached to 300 High School Students in Puerto Rico
Competed in Rube Goldberg Competition

2005-2006 [ President: Alejandro Sardi ]

Region VI 5-Star Chapter of the Year Award
Purdue’s Annual Student Activities and Organizations Award
Latino Cultural Center Most Active Organization Award [2005]
Latino Cultural Center Most Active Organization Award [2006]
Placed 1st in Grand Prix Try-outs
Nominated for Purdue's annual SAO Award
2005 xTreme Engineering Finalist
Region VI chapter of the Month, August 2005
Region VI chapter of the Month, July 2005
Region VI chapter of the Month, June 2005
Placed 2nd in Rube Goldberg Competition
Placed 9th in Grand Prix Competition
Established Undergraduate Research Committee
Established Annual Networking Night Program
National Academic Development Award recipient

2004-2005 [ President: Cristina Daccarett ]

Winner of first round of ME-Academic Olympiad
Placed 3rd in Rube Goldbergx
Region VI Chapter of the Month
Introduced Concept Having an Undergraduate Research Committee

2000-2001 [ President: Gabriel Nelkenbaum ]

Region VI Outstanding Student Chapter
SHPE Region VI Best Homepage Award
National Academic Olympiad Champions

1997-1998 [ President: Jose R. Sotomayor ]

Region VI Outstanding Student Chapter
NTCC - Design Contest Finalist

1996-1997 [ President: Richard Ornelaz ]

SHPE Region VI Best Homepage Award
Richard Ornelaz - National Student Role Model of the Year

1994-1995 [ President: Angel Pineiro ]

Black Caucus Service & Leadership Award - Purdue University

1992-1993 [ President: Gustavo Barajas ]

SHPE Region VI Outstanding Student Chapter

1991-1992 [ President: Virgina M. Serna ]

SHPE Region VI Outstanding Student Chapter

1990-1991 [ President: Jose R. Gonzalez ]

SHPE Region VI Outstanding Student Chapter
SHPE National Student Chapter of the Year

Preamble

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is a national organization of working and teaching engineers. SHPE-Purdue is dedicated to the recruitment and retention of Hispanics in engineering. The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Purdue University Student Chapter is affiliated with The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, but does not act on their behalf except when authorized to do so by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Team of Directors.

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Purdue University Student Chapter.

Article II - Purpose

The purposes of The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Purdue University Student Chapter shall be:

• To increase the number of Hispanics entering the field of Engineering.
• To develop and implement programs to assist Hispanics pursuing engineering as a profession.
• To assist active members in their pursuit to earn their engineering degree, through moral and academic support.
• To cooperate with other Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers student chapters in matters of common interest.
• To achieve closer personal acquaintance and a spirit of cooperation among the Hispanic community at Purdue University.
• To expose young Hispanics to the fields of engineering through school presentations and other outreaches.
• To jointly participate with other student organizations in worthwhile projects at Purdue University.

Article III - Membership

Section 1:
Membership and participation shall be open to engineering, technology, science, and management undergraduate and graduate students of Purdue University. All SHPE-Purdue Benefits shall be guided towards all engineering students. Membership and participation shall be free from discrimination based on race, religion, ethnic group, national origin, handicap, or sex.

Section 2:
Purdue University full-time staff and / or faculty are eligible for associate memberships to The Purdue University Student Chapter. Associate members will not be allowed to vote or hold office, but will be extended all other privileges of a student member.

Section 3:
Members who attend the meetings and participate in student chapter activities shall be considered active members in good standing. A full paid member must have submitted a completed membership form along with the annual fee determined by the Executive Team.

Section 4:
Any member may terminate their membership at any time by written notification to the Student Representative. Membership fees will not be reimbursed.

Section 5:
SHPE-Purdue reserves the right to revoke the membership of members who violate Purdue rules and regulations or dishonors SHPE-Purdue in any form. Removal of individual shall be done by the Executive Team and the Advisor.

Article IV - Officers

Section 1:
The offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer and Student Representative shall be established.

Section 2:
The term of office shall require one year of service from the date of election. If an officer cannot complete hi / her term, a special election will be held by the membership to fill an acting position until the end of the SHPE year.

Section 3:
Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the general membership in the presence of a quorum.

Section 4:
Elections shall be held before the end of April each year.

Section 5:
Candidates for office must have at the time of election a minimum cumulative grade point index of 2.50/4.00.

Section 6:
The Executive Team shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Student Representative elected by the general membership in the presence of a quorum. The Executive Team shall comprise of only undergraduate or graduate engineering students.

Article V - Advisor(s)

Section 1:
The advisor (s) shall be member (s) of the faculty and /or staff of Purdue University. New advisors shall be subject to the approval of the SHPE-Purdue Executive Team.

Section 2:
An advisor shall be permitted to resign upon written notification to the BOT(Board of Teams). Impeachment process will be done by the Executive Team with a quorum present. A majority vote will win.

Section 3:
The advisor (s) shall have an indefinite term subject to their personal commitment and availability.

Section 4:
The advisor (s) shall advise SHPE-Purdue on all professional and internal affairs. They are not to vote on any SHPE-Purdue business.

Section 5:
Industrial Advisory Board (IAB): Refer to SHPE-Purdue IAB Guidelines.

Article VI - Officers and Duties

Section 1:
The President's duties will include:

• To solicit all corporate contributions with Corporate America and keep constant communications with future sponsors.
• To preside over all Executive, BOT and General meetings.
• To insure that all activities and / or other functions are managed properly under the guidelines of the Constitution and Bylaws, and the policies of Purdue University.
• The President shall have the authority to delegate assignments as needed.
• To be official spokesperson and facilitator for all internal and external affairs on behalf of SHPE-Purdue.

Section 2:
The Vice-President's duties will include:

• To assist the President in his / her duties and responsibilities.
• To assume the duties of the President in his / her absence. If the Vice President cannot fulfill his duties, the position will become vacant until a special election is held. If the President is not able to perform his / her duties, the Vice-President will be the Acting President as well as Vice President until a special election is held.
• To act as a liaison between The Executive Team and BOT which consists of regular and temporary teams.

Section 3:
The Secretary's duties will include:

• To maintain an accurate record of any regular or special meetings and activities of the general membership.
• To insure that all regular, special, or temporary teams maintain an accurate record of their meetings and activities.
• That all organization correspondence is authorized and of professional quality.

Section 4:
The Treasurer's duties will include:

• To insure that all of the financial dealings of this organization are in accordance with the Purdue University regulations.
• The collection of all authorized fees, dues and receivables of this organization.
• The disbursement of all proper and authorized payments from the organization's funds.
• The maintenance of an accurate and timely accounting record of all of the organization's finances.
• The immediate report to the Executive Team and faculty advisor (s) of any discrepancies in the organization's records.
• To report, upon request from the Executive Team or faculty advisor (s), the financial state of the organization and to produce records which support that report.

Section 5:
The Student Representative's duties will include:

• The establishment and / or maintenance of a list of the active membership of this organization.
• To insure that the membership remains faithful to the Constitution and Bylaws and that the purposes of the Organization are fulfilled.
• To make known, to the best of his / her ability the purposes of this organization to members and non members alike.
• Student Representative shall establish a method to determine if members are in good standing according to guidelines stipulated in Article III : Section III.

Section 6:
The Executive Team shall act as set fourth in this Constitution. Executive Team approval shall be given by a majority vote of all Executive Team members.

Section 7:
Other teams shall be formed as needed. Team Chairpersons shall be appointed by the Executive Team. In the event that a Team Chairperson cannot fulfill his / her duties, or the Executive Team does not feel the Team Chairperson can perform his / her activities, the Executive Team will appoint a new Team Chairperson.

Article VII - Amendments

Section 1:
A nominal fee, not to exceed $20.00, shall be charged as dues for one year membership in The Society of Hispanics Professional Engineers Student Chapter. The Executive Team shall determine the exact fee. The Executive Team shall define a specific date for a deadline of membership dues for the current academic year.

Section 2:
Article 3, Section 3 will state as follows: Members who attend the meetings and participate in student chapter activities shall be considered active members in good standing. A full paid member must have submitted a completed membership form along with the annual fee.

Section 3:
Article 7, Section 6 will state as follows: A nominal fee shall be charged as dues for one year membership in The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Student Chapter. The Executive Team shall determine the exact fee and is shall not increase by 50% from the fees of the previous year. The Executive Team shall define a specific date for a deadline of membership dues for the current academic year.

Section 4:
If Co-Team Chairpersons are necessary, each co-chair will have one vote in BOT meetings.

Article VIII - ByLaws

Section 1:
A quorum shall be established at all meetings of the general membership in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order. Quorum is defined as more than (50%) of total paid membership. A majority is defined as more than (50%) of quorum.

Section 2:
Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. Absentee ballots shall not be allowed. Elections Shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 3:
All members of The Executive Team shall file a summary of duties performed during their term in office to the general membership at the completion of their term. The Secretary shall keep reports on file for at least one year.

Section 4:
Proper order and conduct shall be maintained at all meetings of members in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

Section 5:
The Society of Hispanics Professional Engineers, Purdue University Students Chapter shall meet not at least than once a month.

Section 6:
All other Executive Team vacancies shall be filled by a majority election in the presence of quorum of the general membership.

Section 7:
Impeachment of an Executive Team member shall be done by a quorum vote with a majority vote of the paid membership needed for impeachment. Impeachment of a BOT Team Chairperson shall be done by the Executive Team.

Section 8:
Article 7, Section 2 will state as follows: Amendments shall be made by a two thirds vote in the presence of 80% of the BOT membership.

Section 9:
All amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws are subject to the approval of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Section 10:
Amendments shall be made by a two-thirds vote in the presence of a quorum.