I think a 2.5 is an adequate national standard for most organizations, and if a chapter wants to raise its standard, then so be it. But give the chapter that option.

I hate to go digging in the archives... but this is a really good discussion. I attend Xavier Univ. of Louisiana and the NPHC standard is a 2.75. Their reason is that through whatever "process" peoples grades fall, and they get side tracked with all the glitz of being Greek. We do have to maintain the 2.75 to hold an office at the Univ., but once you are a member you can maintain a 2.5 to be active. I think the higher GPA is a good thing. I must admit when I crossed I had a 2.95 and now through much hard work I have gotten up to 3.09 (which was hard work). Because of our legacy of having the "smartest" members I work hard to try to uphold that even though it is not the standard anymore. My mom who went to college in the 60's told me that Sigmas had small lines because they required the highest GPA, and I think it is something to be proud of. After all we are about scholarship, sisterhood, and service. I think that as an undergraduate the primary focus should be on grades and graduating... the the rest will follow. Too many in my chapter have fallen by the wayside in activities and are now not elegable to hold an office... and it is too few for such foolishness. so in closing a higher GPA is something to make the students strive for.