Instructions for Dean's Letter

The sample dean’s letter written to the parents of Tau Beta Pi scholastically eligible candidates has been available as part of the eligibility, election, and initiation procedure materials since 1978. This letter was developed by the dean of engineering at the University of Michigan to demonstrate the college’s respect for Tau Beta Pi, reinforce the honor and value of membership, promote awareness of Tau Beta Pi, and to increase membership. The letter also demonstrates the mutually supportive relationship between the college of engineering and the local Tau Beta Pi chapter, which should exist at your institution.

Begin by having an advisor or officer make contact with your dean’s office staff to discuss how they might assist you with this project. Offer to have members perform some sort of volunteer service for your college of engineering in exchange for help with the letters. Ideally, the dean’s office would agree to take care of the entire process (printing the letters, obtaining the dean’s signature, and mailing them). Most likely though, they will provide the dean’s stationery and your chapter will print and mail the letters. In any case, you will need to prepare the letter for the dean and also provide names and addresses of the candidates’ parents.

We also strongly suggest that our information brochure be enclosed with the letter to the parents, so you will need to include them in your Candidate Packet order. We encourage you to contact us if you need further advice on how to implement this important mailing. We thank you in advance for your dedicated work to increase our membership and awareness of Tau Beta Pi.