By taking first place in Best Practices - Chapter Sustainability at the 2010 Western Region competition on February 27, CSUN’s Epsilon Chi earned the right to represent its region in the 2010 international competition hosted by Beta Alpha Psi at the Annual Meeting, held August 5 – 7, in San Jose, California. In spite of stiff competition from the seven contending colleges and universities from across the globe, Epsilon Chi took the bronze in Best Practices – Chapter Sustainability. CSUN was edged out of the top spots by University of Tampa (gold) and University of Washington (silver). Each team will receive a $1,000 prize for placing.

The presentation team for the annual meeting was composed of Jacob Sparks (Team Captain), George Fronjian, Jie Huo, Romy Ron, Matthew Hamel, and Vartan Arslanian.  In its 10-minute attention-getting presentation, the team balanced fun and professionalism.  Using a dramatic setting, the team identified key initiatives for improving the chapter's recruitment, communication, finance, and legacy.  The initiatives included a "Meet BAΨ" information event, new Facebook and LinkedIn groups, a formal mentorship program, corporate sponsorships, and a search for a permanent chapter locus. Included in the presentation was a look-back at the successes and challenges stemming from previous year sustainability initiatives.

The Beta Alpha Psi Best Practices Competition was started in 2001 through sponsorship from Deloitte & Touche, LLP.  Since then, BAΨ teams from across the globe have participated in over 700 presentations, winning more than $250,000 in academic support.

To see a video of the Epsilon Chi’s award-winning presentation on chapter sustainability, direct your browser to:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beta-Alpha-Psi-Epsilon-Chi-Chapter-137/128026300545007#!/video/video.php?v=10150240313390153&comments&ref=mf

While in attendance at the BAP Annual Meeting, Epsilon Chi members participated in a day long community service event sponsored by KPMG. CSUN’s contingent of 6 students joined some 900 other Beta Alpha Psi members on Thursday, August 5, 2010, to weed, clear brush, and remove litter along the San Jose Guadalupe River Trail. Event sponsors, KPMG and San Jose Parks, coordinated the event, providing tools, supplies, supervision, meals, and thirst aid. In total, students donated over 2500 community service hours while learning the importance of “giving back.” 

On Friday, August, 6, 2010, at the BAP Annual Meeting, George Fronjian presented his tips for presidential success. As the kick-off speaker in the hour-long operations workshop for chapter presidents, Epsilon Chi’s Fall 2010 President shared his insights on the role of the president in ensuring chapter success. He touched on planning, managing direct reports, and recruiting a successor in his brief 12-minute presentation. Fronjian’s presentation was followed by slide shows from three other teams. A robust Q&A session that went 20 minutes over time wrapped up the workshop.  

The next Western Region meeting is scheduled February 25 -26, 2011, in Anaheim, California where Epsilon Chi anticipates competing in at least one of three new best practices categories: BAP’s Role in Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility; Helping Others Understand the Financial Information Professions; and Innovation-Accountants Role in a Changing Business Environment. The upcoming Annual Meeting will be held August 11 -13, 2011, in Denver, Colorado, in conjunction with the American Accounting Association national meeting.

After a rigorous two-year campaign to earn “the highest award a chapter can receive,” CSUN’s Epsilon Chi was designated a Gold Chapter at the final plenary session of the Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) Annual Meeting, held Saturday, August 7, 2010 in San Jose, California.  “It’s honoring and gratifying to see the culmination of all the hard work,” remarked George Fronjian, Epsilon Chi’s chapter president.  The Gold Award carries a $2,500 cash prize and is given to chapters which continually demonstrate and exemplify the highest values of Beta Alpha Psi: Leadership, Scholastic Success, Lifelong Learning and Development, Service, and Ethical Behavior.

Two years ago, The KPMG Foundation, in conjunction with Beta Alpha Psi, launched the Gold Challenge. The Big-4 international financial services firm funded the competition with an initial $125,000, the largest contribution to BAP in single year.  Prior to the introduction of the gold designation, the highest possible chapter achievement level was Superior.  The idea behind the gold challenge initiative was to recognize that many chapters often went above and beyond what was required to become a Superior Chapter, both in terms of quantity and quality of activities. In an effort to reward these chapters, The KPMG Foundation provides an annual monetary award to several top chapters.

To be eligible to participate, teams must have achieved Superior chapter status for two years running, must have participated in both the regional and national meetings, and must submit a 10-minute video presentation which explains and demonstrates why their chapter deserves the KPMG Gold Challenge award. Challenge sponsors received 32 applications this year out of a total 289 BAP chapters worldwide. Of those 32 qualified submissions, 15 were awarded gold chapter status.

Although the entire chapter membership was involved in the production of chapter video, much of the credit for the video goes to Karon Minasian. The past president (Fall 2009) of Epsilon Chi, wrote, directed and produced the 10-minute video. He was assisted in his directorial efforts by Fall 2010 chapter executive officer Jacob Sparks and president, George Fronjian.

To see Epsilon Chi’s 2010 Gold Chapter video, direct your browser to:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beta-Alpha-Psi-Epsilon-Chi-Chapter-137/128026300545007#!/video/video.php?v=10150242382505153&ref=mf

Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for Financial Information students and professionals. The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and association among members and practicing professionals, and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility. Beta Alpha Psi was founded in 1919. By 2010, there were 289 active chapters on college and university campuses across the world with an additional 8 chapters in the petitioning stage awaiting formal recognition. Over 300,000 members have been initiated since Beta Alpha Psi's formation.    

The Department of Accounting & Information Systems is delighted to report that both of the two IS students teams that we sent to the annual Southern California IT Competition at Cal Poly Pomona on Sat, April 17, came back with first prize honors.   Here's some information about our two teams.

TEAM A: "Matador Consulting" (System Design and Analysis Category)

Members:
  Jay Nguyen 
  Santiago cerda
  Micah Manquen
  Heidi Cheung

Faculty Coach:
  Dr. Dat-Dao Nguyen 

TEAM B: "AIS Tech Group" (Telecommunication Category)

Members:
  Oriana Torres
  Mario Marin
  Brian Lay
  Yunus Yar

Faculty Coach:
  Dr. Richard Ye

Congratulations on doing such an outstanding job!  We're so very happy for you and proud of you!