Keeping actives in class!
 

I'm the current Academic Chair for my sorority, and I need help! When actives don't make the GPA requirement for the semester, they have a meeting with the executive board and then they all discuss why the girl didn't make GPA. The biggest reason is that they don't go to class, and in the past I've heard that some girls needed to get their planner signed by their professor to show E-board that they're attending class. This sounds too much like middle school for me, but the only other thing I can think of is making them go to extra study hours. Any ideas?!

What are the repercussions if members don't make grades? If members are making grades multiple semesters what happens? What about semesters in a row?

For my chapter, privileges were lost such as not able to talk in chapter, unable to attend socials/mixers/formals, loss of positions etc.

Not going to class is one thing, not making grades is another. Everybody has a class at some point that is absolutely ridiculous to go to. However, in most cases the things taught in those classes are found easily in the book. For instance, one of my classes was absolutely pointless to go to. My professor posted the notes online before class and taught word for word from the book. Instead of wasting time in the class, I was able to take the notes from the book in about half the time of the class. The rest of the time, I did other studying.

What are they doing instead of the class?

Sorry, I forgot to explain this part. When a girl's GPA drops below a certain point, that's when they go to E-board, even though their GPA at that time is still above the mandatory GPA to remain in good standing. It's just to help girls who are close to not making the requirement.

That is a really good point, about not going to class but still doing the work, I'll keep that in mind for the meetings this semester.

You're right, getting the planner signed is unnecessary- you're not their mommy and it's not your job to babysit them. By the time you're in college, you should be self-motivated, and if members just don't care enough to make grades, then they don't deserve the privilege of sorority membership (or college, for that matter).

That said, it IS your job to give members who are struggling but are trying their hardest to do well. In meeting with those members, make sure they are aware of all of the academic help resources available to them through the school and the sorority- tutors, test banks, study hours, etc. If they choose not to take advantage of those resources, then there are bigger problems.

To encourage rather than force women to go to class, consider compiling a database of everyone's schedules. If a sister is having a hard time getting up for her 8am, maybe there is another sister living in the house who is also getting up then and they can get ready together and help get each other out of bed. It's even better if they are in the same class or have class in the same area of campus and can walk together. You feel way guiltier skipping if your sister is there waiting for you to go together.