At present there are more than 600 active chapters of SPS on campuses across the country. Approximately 6,000 students take part in the chapter activities, making SPS the fourth largest physics society in the country. More than 400 chapters include the honor society as part of their activities. Total membership in Sigma Pi Sigma, including alumni, exceeds 58,000. The SPS exists to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional community.
Course work develops only one range of skills.
Other skills needed to flourish professionally include effective communication and personal interactions, leadership experience, establishng a personal network of contacts, presenting scholarly work in professional meetings and journals, and outreach services to the campus and local communities. Locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, the SPS offers the opportunity for these important enrichments to the student's experience. The SPS chapter at The University of Tennessee is largely autonomous. Only those items specified in the national SPS constitution are limiting factors. The constitution can be amended only on recommendation of the National Council followed by approval from two-thirds of the SPS chapters.