Dedicated to promoting and recognizing high academic achievement, the UM chapter initiates seniors and a few juniors in each college who have shown exemplary character and high scholastic standards. In addition, membership is open to outstanding graduate students. Election to membership is by invitation only. Those elected to membership include upper 7.5 percent last-term juniors (having completed at least 72 semester hours) and upper 10 percent seniors, along with outstanding faculty, professional staff and alumni.