Support for Scholastics?

[adpiucf]

We maintained a set number of study hours for new members with no college credits (first semester freshmen with no AP or community college credits). They were able to study in the school library, chapter library or on their own. Members had a min. GPA to maintain; officers of the sorority had to maintain a higher GPA to keep their office and set an example as a role model.

On a weekly basis, the scholarship chair would announce scholarship and internship opportunities and share study tips, announce honor society induction opportunities, etc. There were also awards given at each chapter meeting:
* Attended all classes this week
* A+ ADPi's/Wise Pi of the Week/Smarty Pi's (The Wise Pi got to wear a special letter shirt that week)
* A bulletin board where people could post their good grades
* A semesterly professor-student event
* Semesterly sorority honor society induction
* Study Buddy List of sisters in similiar majors/sisters who were willing to tutor in certain subjects

If members didn't make grades, they met with the standards chair and scholarship chair when they received their grades, and had to do study hours the following semester. The scholarship committee would assist them in developing better study habits and making recommendations on how to receive assistance-- like through resources like university testing and counseling, university tutoring services, pairing with a sister in their major, etc. The second consecutive semester they didn't make grades, they received social probation and could not attend social events with the exception of petitioning to attend one date function. The third consecutive semester resulted in a formal meeting where the sister's membership status was evaluated and could result in possible cancellation. The overriding theme was that one was in college to receive an education and that while committment to the sorority is important, so was getting your BA in 4-5 years!

Hope these suggestions help. A committee to support the scholarship chairman plays a big role in spreading out the responsibility and sharing just how important it is in the chapter culture to have a personal focus on academic success. You might even plan a yearly time mangement/study skills workshop for all members, or at least the new members.