In early 1922, two local civil engineering student groups–Chi Epsilon and Chi Delta Chi–formed independently at the
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and petitioned for university recognition. Once the two groups learned of each other, they merged under the Chi Epsilon name. The university approved Chi Epsilon on May 20, 1922, recognized by the society as it founding date, The group had 25 founding members. Chi Epsilon is "dedicated to the purpose of maintaining and promoting the status of civil engineering as an ideal profession." Its objective and purpose are to uphold competence, sound engineering, good moral judgment, and a commitment to society to improve the civil engineering profession. The society received a certificate of incorporation from the State of
Illinois on February 23, 1923. Chi Epsilon sent letters to other engineering programs, inviting students to found a chapter. A second chapter was chartered at the
Armour Institute of Technology on March 29, 1923. The society is overseen by student officers at each chapter who act through a National Council. Its headquarters is located at the
California Polytechnic State University. == Symbols ==