Alternative Punishments
 

Hello,

I am looking for alternative punishments for poor GPAs. We currently require you to be put on a very strict academic plan (which will not change) but also ban members from intramurals, fun homecoming events, and taking a little. I am interested in finding positive punishments (like additional community service) instead of taking these things away, particularly because one girl in question is a senior and this is her last chance to participate in these event, her circumstances this year are completely different than last year, when she had her only bad semesters, and in all other aspects, she is beyond an ideal chapter member.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Making community service a punishment defeats the whole purpose of doing community service - i.e. instilling a love for it in people. Plus giving them more to do cuts into study time.

No. No no no no no. You do NOT punish members for poor GPAs. You HELP your members. What's the incentive to improve scholarship when you've taken all the membership positives away? Having a little, for example, can help the big; they can study together. I've seen that work well.

Instead, you structure an academic plan for the member that rewards improvements with privileges/participation in events/recognition etc. You have the member write her own "terms" or "plan". She knows what she needs to do to improve. Some members need to study in groups, others do best solo in a quiet location away from distractions.

Many members need support (e.g. tutoring, test taking strategies, etc) that can be offered through various campus centers. I don't know where you are so I can't be specific. And for the ones who are just not serious about improving, I'm sure you know what needs to be done.

Completely agree with 33Girl and AZTheta. I have another perspective on requiring additional non-academic "punishments." These women are struggling academically. Why are you going to put more stress on them by requiring that they turn away from their books to do busy work for you? Your job as Academic Chair is to help them succeed NOT to teach them a lesson. Focus on ways to help your sisters achieve better grades not on shaming them for not meeting your academic requirements.

In addition to what the very wise women above have said, if there were extenuating circumstances, and those things are no longer in play, why do you need to "punish" her? I know some national groups have policies like no vote at chapter and you have to follow those guidelines, but if someone didn't make grades because a family member died or something, just let it go. Obviously you have to check with your alumnae advisers, but try to get everyone on the common sense train.

Seconding (thirding?) a lot of what's said here. There is nothing wrong with smaller consequences, especially as mandated by your National org but that's not enough. Academic success if a very personal thing and many people aren't aware of what they need to do different. They need to have ownership for their success. I'd suggest more along the lines of sitting down with them and evaluating their need for a plan. If it's a study issue, help them set goals and maybe identify resources on campus they need to utilize (writing centers, academic success, tutor). If it's a personal issue help them navigate that by referring to counseling and if it's confusion about major send them to their adviser. Too often it's treated as "you need to get off academic probation because the sorority said so" as opposed to "we need to help you figure out how you can maintain these standards because these will help you succeed in life"

Agree with all that has been said. If the poor grades weren't caused by something within the member's control, like partying too much, punishment of any kind is not the answer.
One thing you could suggest is reducing course load, changing majors, etc. Some people take on more academically than they can handle and need to understand that 12 hrs per semester with good grades beats 18 with bad ones. What passes for "advising" in most colleges these days isn't, and the chapter could fill that gap with some advice based on a deeper knowledge of the student's situation, aptitudes, etc.