A group of students began working mid-April to organize a DU chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (PSA), a national political science honor society, and they hope to have their first meeting by the end of the quarter, according to Annalisa Triola, a junior transfer student in charge of organizing the new society.

Triola said she and some other students began working with professor of political science Seth Masket to bring the society back to DU.

The PSA chapter at DU stopped operating about four years ago.

The purpose of PSA is to promote academic achievement in the political science field and to encourage students to pursue their passions in the subject.

“I’d also like the society to be a place where political science students or students with a passion for politics can come and meet other students, network and foster productive inquiry and debate,” said Triola. “In addition, it would be great if the chapter would be able to host guest speakers to come and discuss a variety of political science-related topics.”

Many national chapters also help students apply for graduate school.

“I would also like to see the organization be a resource for students to find out about graduate programs and get help with their applications,” said Triola.

PSA is a member of the Association of College Honors Societies, which has over 67 societies, such as Alpha Phi Sigma and Psi Beta, associated with it on college campuses around the United States.

Despite its Greek name, the honor society is not associated with social Greek Life organizations on campus.

The society requires members to complete half of their degree requirements, 14 credit hours of political science classes including one upper division course and have at least a 3.0 institutional GPA and a 3.5 political science GPA.

According to PSA’s website, national membership also requires a one-time fee of $35.

Triola said she doesn’t know exactly when the society will be up and running again, but said there is interest on campus.

“Currently I am in talks with Dr. Masket trying to figure out the best course of action for reconstituting the club,” she said. “Several political science students have expressed enthusiasm in joining the organization and helping to getting the club going again.”

Any students interested in joining PSA can find out more information at its website apsanet.org/~psa.

Students can also contact Triola at annalisa.triola@du.edu.

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