Student participation in Alpha Chi activities may take place at the local, regional, and national levels. Local chapters, of which there are now 291 active, operate under a charter issued by the national organization. Any accredited four-year college or university granting traditional baccalaureate degrees is eligible for a local chapter as long as it remains in good standing with its regional accrediting association. Local chapters may be found in a wide diversity of schools, ranging in size and orientation from large state universities to small private colleges and in geography from Maine to Hawaii and Puerto Rico to Oregon.
At least once a year, the local chapter inducts into active membership those junior and senior students of good character who rank in the upper tenth of their classes, although many schools have even higher standards for eligibility. Membership is ordinarily held for life, and the original induction fee is the only national fee ever required.
Members of the local chapters annually elect their student officers and two faculty advisors. A third faculty member is appointed by the president of the institution toa three-year term as official sponsor. Three additional faculty members annually may be appointed by the official faculty sponsor or elected by members to a faculty advisory committee as non-voting assistant sponsors. Members participate in a variety of local programs designed to enhance the intellectual life of the campus and to uphold the ethical standards of the academic community. The degree of activity and the types of programs are designed by the local chapters to fit the particular needs and interests of the institution.
Special provisions allow for the election of distinguished persons to honorary membership. Each chapter may make one nomination annually to the National Council. Provision is also made for organizations of alumni chapters.