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    The objetives of Beta Alpha Psi have been stated as the following:
 

    Promote Interaction With the Professional Community
    Promote Leadership
    Promote Community Involvement
    Promote Social Activities
 
 

    But what exactly do these objectives mean, and where do they come from?  A look into the history of Beta Alpha Psi should provide some illumination.
    Professor H. T. Scovill, head of the Department of Accounting at the University of Illinois, helped to organize a group of accounting students into an Accounting club which gave special attention to accounting topics.  The club shortly thereafter became a Greek letter fraternity, writing up a constitution and forming a ritual.  It became mandatory that members have an interest in accounting and keep good grades.  Beta Alpha Psi did not expand nationally until 1921 when chapters were started at the University of Oregon and Washington, as well as the Northwestern University.  Currently, Beta Alpha Psi has chapters in 184 business schools across the country.

    The Beta Tau Chapter was established on April 23, 1963 at Arizona State University.  The past faculty advisors are shown below.
 

                                            Fall 1978 to Spring 1981    Dr. Ron Pitt
                                            Fall 1984 to Spring 1989    Dr. Michael O'Dell
                                            Fall 1989 to Spring 1992    Kumen Jones
                                            Fall 1992 to Spring 1997    Dr. Michael O'Dell
                                            Fall 1997 to Present           Dan Taylor
 

    During its history, the Beta Tau Chapter has won several awards, including:

• Faculty Vice President of the Year (Dr. O'Dell, 1988-89),
• Outstanding Accountant of the Year (Kate Forbes, 1988-89),
• and Superior Chapter Status (1988-89, 1989-90)

    As the faculty advisor to Beta Tau, Dr. O'Dell was responsible for keeping the fraternity on track with its objectives.  At the time, he feels that the most important objective was to interact with the firms.  Now, he says, the organization's main focus is on interaction with each other.  "This is especially important since there are so many other ways for students to find jobs," he states, and believes that social interaction is very important.  When asked what he felt was the most rewarding aspect of being the faculty advisor to Beta Tau, Dr. O'Dell replied that he really enjoyed working with the students.  He remarked that he still sees some Beta students who are currently working at the Big Five firms.

    As the current faculty advisor, Dan Taylor also feels it is important to changing the focus from interaction with professional organizations to social interaction, in order to promote networking among the fraternity members.  This will allow members to have strong contacts going out into the work field.

    Dr. O'Dell and Dan Taylor both agree that community involvement through Beta Tau is still as important as ever.  For most, Beta is the only medium through which to perform community service.  Dr. O'Dell believes that it is important that students "recognize that there are less fortunate people" living in the same community.  My Sister's Place became Beta Tau's main charity during the first part of Dr. O'Dell's second five year reign, during the 1992-93 school year.

    When asked where he believed Beta Tau is heading, Mr. Taylor said that he hopes to include Information Systems majors, as well as opening membership up to sophomore students in the business program.  He would also like to see an end to the GPA requirement, in order to allow people who have obligations other than school to be involved in the benefits provided by Beta Alpha Psi.