Applications opened Monday, Jan. 21 to students looking to join the 14 different honor societies associated with the Coordinating Council of Honor Societies at The University of Alabama.

“The Coordinating Council of Honor Societies helps to organize the selections and service activities of campuswide honorary organizations and assists in planning the Tapping on the Mound festivities,” A.J. Collins, president of CCHS, said.

Each society has different requirements for acceptance that depend on a student’s year and accomplishments. Hallie Majure Phillips, president of Blue Key, said Blue Key is an honor society for rising seniors in the top 35 percent of their class.

“Blue Key Honor Society bases its eligibility for membership on all-around leadership in student life, high scholastic achievement, and service to others,” Phillips said.

Blue Key has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 and looks for students who have made significant impact through their leadership positions in student organizations.

However, CCHS includes societies for underclassmen as well. Robert Pendley is president of Lambda Sigma, a CCHS honor society for upcoming sophomores that looks for current freshman who have already made an impact on campus.

“We want next year’s Lambda Sigma to be comprised of individuals who want to improve The University of Alabama and who actually have the drive, knowledge and intentions of doing so,” Pendley said.

Collins said CCHS works hard to ensure the application process is fair and honest.

“Each applicant is given a unique number in place of their name and CWID,” Collins said. “Each organization is required to submit a synopsis of their selections process to us. If there are any concerns with fairness, we can address them with officers and administrators as well.”

Students inducted into the individual societies will be notified in early April. Senior honorees will be honored during the Tapping on the Mound ceremony on Friday, April 5.

Students interested in applying can attend a CCHS meet-and-greet, Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Ferguson Center, Room 300 where students will be able to ask representatives of organizations about their respective values, processes, dues and other important information.