Some of the most vivid memories Mortar Board alumni have are how they were tapped. This rich tradition began as long ago as 1892, years before Mortar Board’s official founding. The phrase “tapping” comes from the tradition that members were (and many still are) literally “tapped” by the mortarboard of a current member to signify that they have been selected for membership.
Tapping is a step that occurs after a candidate applies and has been selected and before they have been formally initiated. It is simply a way to publicly (and memorably) let a candidate know that they have been chosen to become a Mortar Board member.
Today, tapping ceremonies vary greatly on each campus, but continue to create lasting memories for new members. It is an important custom to make these ceremonies meaningful and welcome new members into Mortar Board with pride.
Tapping should always be done in person, unless physically impossible. Letters, e-mails and phone calls tend to be impersonal, especially for an honor as high as being selected for Mortar Board. Tapping happens differently on each campus, but one common thread is that it is a very memorable, visible event. Be sure to check with university administration or faculty before you make any plans for tapping on your campus – respect for university policies is of the utmost importance.
Potential tapping locations
In members' classes (ask for permission from the professor first)
During meetings for extra-curricular organizations
Gather all new members in the middle of the night for a special welcome meeting.
Quick tips
Dress in caps and gowns and carry lighted candles
Provide candidates with a scroll or tapping packet (which should include: orientation information, initiation invitation, chapter history, list of chapter events through the end of the year, and the Member Guide)
Read a short biography of each member when they are tapped (make it easier to collect and write these biographies by asking the member to write their own 200-word biography on their application for membership)
If you can't tap a member in person (for example, if they are studying abroad) consider a virtual tapping using a YouTube video
Make it special by providing special congratulatory tokens such as congratulatory tokens such as flowers, candles, medallions, scrolled information on orientation and initiation or Mortar Board merchandise items
Sing a special song as you tap newly-selected candidates like the chapter at Purdue University.
The "tap"
Official tapping should be done by physically “tapping” the members with a slight tap on the head or shoulder with a mortarboard.
Organizing the tapping process
Clearly coordinate the tapping process with your chapter members; assign current members to new members to be certain that no candidate gets overlooked or tapped twice during the process
Allow for a one-week period to tap new members to ensure that you will have plenty of time to tap everyone
Keep a master tapping list in an accessible area on campus or online that current members can mark once they have tapped each member - this way everyone is aware of who has and has not been tapped (to prevent members from being tapped twice or being congratulated early)
If you hope to tap during a class, always contact the instructor for approval prior to tapping. If you are unable to enter a new member’s classroom to tap them, coordinate their tapping for a meeting of another student organization.
The tapping packet
A tapping packet is a great tool for providing new members with everything they need to know immediately following tapping. These can be easily put together in folders, such as the embossed white linen folders available at www.mortarboard.org/merch. Here are some ideas for materials to provide in your chapter’s tapping packet:
Member Guide, which is provided by the Mortar Board National Office by mail after your chapter submits the Official Membership Report (OMR)
Any fliers or welcome materials provided by the National Office in the pin/certificate mailing
Orientation flier or information sheet
General brochure about national Mortar Board (email mortarboard@mortarboard.org to request free copies)
Initiation invitation or information sheet
History of your local chapter of Mortar Board
List of notable members of Mortar Board
Calendar of chapter activities from tapping through the end of the school year
Chapter Participation Policy (If your chapter does not currently have this policy in place, considering setting up guidelines for attendance throughout the year)
Contact information for the current officers and advisors
List of current members
Sample script for classroom tapping
Hello, I’m Jane Smith, a member of the Gold and Silver chapter of Mortar Board at Blank University. Mortar Board is a national college senior honor society whose members are selected for excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. I am pleased to announce that a member of your class has been selected for membership in Mortar Board: Molly Fake. Molly is a junior from Blank City, Wisconsin majoring in chemical engineering. She is vice president of the Campus Equestrian Club, secretary of Campus Democrats, and a leader in the Chemical Engineering Society. We wish to tap Molly into Mortar Board on the basis of her high achievement and dedication to her campus and community. Please join me in congratulating Molly on her invitation to be a part of Mortar Board. Thank you.
See how it is done
I. Sample tapping - at home or in a dorm
II. Sample tapping - in a meeting or classroom
III. Outdoor tapping
IV. Virtual tapping on YouTube (Purdue University, example from 2007)
