Student Ports


The purpose of the Student Port program of The Propeller Club of the United States is to develop an appreciation of the importance of the American merchant marine by the young men and women who, in a comparatively few years, will take their places in the business and industrial world. Members of the Student Ports are pursuing courses in naval architecture, marine engineering, foreign trade, transportation, and kindred subjects. Student Ports are also located in the United States Merchant Marine Academy, at the New York State Maritime College, and the State Maritime Academies of Maine, Massachusetts, California and Texas. Student Ports are also located overseas.

Each Student Port is under the supervision of a Faculty Advisor. The student officers are elected by the general membership. The Student Port pays no dues to the national organization which feels that the interest of these future leaders in American business and professional life is worth the effort and expense involved.

National Headquarters keeps in close contact with these student branches, provides them with stationery and literature covering various phases of the merchant marine situation. In addition, where there is a regular Propeller Club Port in the vicinity of the Student Port, the senior Port cooperates to further develop this interest. Trips of inspection to shipyards, terminals, and merchant vessels are arranged and conducted for the benefit of the students. Some of the senior Ports invite groups of student members to attend their meetings, assist them in securing speakers and in other ways help in maintaining the junior members’ interest. Upon graduation, when he or she is no longer eligible for student membership, the student may become a member of a regular Port without payment of national dues for one year.

To accord recognition to leaders in Student Port activities who have maintained high scholastic standards, The Propeller Club instituted the Pi Sigma Phi Award in 1938. The Pi Sigma Phi Key proclaims the wearer to be outstanding for scholastic achievement in the study of shipping and allied subjects. This program is described more fully on a succeeding page.

On their own initiative, many Student Ports acting either independently or in cooperation with other college groups, conduct activities intended to stimulate interest in American shipping and foreign trade.

The members of the Student Ports represent an important group of young Americans who are acquiring a genuine appreciation of the importance of an American merchant marine.

A Student Propeller Club Port may be established at any college where there is assured interest in merchant ships, trade, transportation, waterborne commerce and related subjects. There must be a senior Propeller Club Port in the locale willing to accept the responsibilities of the Student Port. In order for a Student Port to be established on a sound basis there are a series of steps necessary to insure continuing viability of the Student Port.

Procedures

  1. Obtain from nearest local regular Propeller Club or The Propeller Club of the United States information relative to Student Port establishment.
  2. Secure written acknowledgement from nearest regular Propeller Club Port that it will assume sponsorship of the new Student Port and actively assist in its establishment and continuance.
  3. Obtain written authority from the Dean of the school which will permit and encourage establishment of a Student Port.
  4. Secure written assurance from a member of the school faculty that he or she will undertake the responsibilities of Faculty Advisor to the Student Port, assist in its establishment and permanent continuance, and to guide and encourage the Student Members in promoting a successful Club.
  5. Establish a group of student candidates for Charter Membership in the prospective Student Port who are properly qualified, deeply interested and highly motivated, 50 is desirable, 35 satisfactory, and 25 acceptable.
  6. Determine local Charter Member fee and collect same from those who wish to be considered Charter Members.
  7. Forward letter of application for issuance of Student Propeller Club Port Charter, via President of the Senior Propeller Club Port for preliminary approval, to The Propeller Club of the United States Headquarters containing the above information.
  8. Upon receipt of approval of the application accomplish the following:
    1. Elect Student Port Officers.
    2. Determine Student Port membership initiation fees and annual dues.
    3. Draft Student Constitution and By-Laws.
    4. Establish a Student Port Propeller Club mailing address.
    5. Obtain from Propeller Club Headquarters, printed supplies, i.e. stationery, envelopes, membership applciations, membership cards free of charge. A Banner will be ordered and sent to the senior port for formal presentation. The cost of a banner is $165.00 and is paid for by the Senior Port.
    6. Obtain from Propeller Club Headquarters membership pins at current prices.
    7. In cooperation with Senior Port make arrangements for "kick-off" Charter Presentation Event, which will include all student port Charter Members, members of school faculty, members of Senior port and other interested parties. The following agenda applies.
      1. Formal presentation Student Port Charter and Banner from Senior Port to Student Port President and Faculty Advisor.
      2. Installation of Student Port Officers.
      3. Presentration of membership cards and pins to Charter Members.
      4. Featured Speaker
  9. Establish continued custody of Charter and Banner.
  10. Make report of Charter Presentation Event to National Headquarters