About 200 members of Alpha Chi Sigma have come from all over the country to attend the professional chemistry fraternity's national conclave this week, said Alpha Chi Sigma Publicity Chair Beth Schultz.
The fraternity focuses on chemistry, but welcomes students studying other sciences as well, Schultz said. The conclave, which will end Saturday, will involve meetings on how to make the organization better and provide social activities during which members can meet and talk with other members, she said. Last year's conclave was held in Los Angeles – IU is hosting the conclave for the first time in about 70 years, she said. The IU chapter is co-hosting the event along with chapters from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Many of the visiting members are staying in Eigenmann Hall, Schultz said. Before they leave, members will also have a chance on Friday to attend the Kuebler Banquet, named after a former member from IU, and will have a picnic in Dunn Meadow on Friday, Schultz said.
