Rubber Division Student Chapters

Joining a Student Chapter is a wonderful and educational way to learn more about the industry and your chosen profession, while meeting other students and just having fun! Field trips to local rubber industry companies and the possibility of attending Division and Rubber Group meetings are also part of the excitement of joining a chapter.

Creating Chapters

If you are attending a university without a Student Chapter and would like to start one, then the Division would be happy to work with you, your faculty and the nearest Rubber Group to accomplish that goal. You may download a copy of our manual on "How to Start and Maintain a Student Chapter" to use as a guide. You may also download the Student Chapter Establishment Form and Suggested Bylaws .

Questions on Student Chapters should be sent to the Student Affairs Committee .

Division Student Membership

Regardless of whether you become a part of a Student Chapter, you can become more directly involved with the Division by joining as a Student Member/Affiliate. As a student, the membership fees are discounted so you can still experience membership benefits like discounts on technical publications and event registration.

Established Chapters

The Rubber Division currently has two Student Chapters:

Ferris State University in Michigan, supported by the West Michigan Rubber Group
University of Massachusetts-Lowell , supported by the New England Rubber Group

We are in the process of establishing a new chapter at Clemson University in South Carolina with the help of the Southern Rubber Group.

Reports, Awards and Grants

Annual Report

Each April, the Student Affairs Committee e-mails a reminder to all chapter presidents to complete the Annual Report Form . This form provides an opportunity for chapters to inform the Division of their yearly activities, voice suggestions and describe problems encountered during the academic year, provide information for the yearly selection of the Outstanding Student Chapter Award recipient, update the Division's records, and enable the Student Affairs Committee to continually evaluate and revise this program. The Annual Report Form is due by June 1 of each year.

Outstanding Chapter Award

Each summer, the Student Affairs Committee selects a chapter for special recognition based on the previous year's activities as detailed in chapter annual reports. A chapter must have six or more members who are Division Student Members/Affiliates to be elligible for recognition. The award consists of a plaque or trophy designating the chapter as an Outstanding Student Chapter. Award-winning chapters are notified in the fall and are presented with the award at the Division's fall meeting.

New Projects Grant

Each fall, awards from $50 to $500 are awarded to chapters to support new projects. Chapters receiving this award are required to match the funds from their own treasuries or from other sources. Applications for the New Projects Grant are due by June 1 of each year and awards are announced in September.

Outstanding Community Involvement Projects Grant

Each fall, awards from $50 to $500 are awarded to chapters to support projects that actively involve children at the K-12 levels, their teachers, and/or parents in hands-on science activities. Project should specifically target underserved minority children and should strengthen the ability of chapters to interact with local Division Rubber Groups and other groups in the community. Matching funds are not a necessity but are highly recommended. Applications for the Outstanding Community Involvement Projects Grant are due by June 1 of each year and awards are announced in September.