mandatory study hall for all brothers?

[ree-Xi]

Given that most GLOs promote scholarship/academics as one of their main tenets or areas of focus, I think that mandatory study hours are a fair expectation of all members.

In AXiD, we had to log 6 hours a week as a pledge. Once a week, there was a previously agreed-upon mandatory time (ex. Weds 6-8), a time when no one had a class. This time was decided upon by the pledge class. We had to sit at one of two large tables. No talking, nothing. I imagine these days it would require no phones, etc.

The remainder of hours (4) could be done at any time. There was a sign-in sheet at the library front desk. Fortunately, the university was more than happy to help us out and have the desk people maintain the lists. If I recall, the library was open very late, so there was NO excuse.

I don't see why flexible study hour requirements are such a burden. Sure, some people study better in various environments, but every student must have SOMETHING in their 5 or 6 classes that they can do QUIETLY at the library. It's called managing your time. Most people have papers/essays/projects that require research. Now, I am not sure if students still use the library for research, but there has to be some use out there.

Being in a GLO is a privilege and a responsibility, and I think that maintaining solid grades are an important requirement. Maybe that makes me old fashioned, but as a first-generation American (my dad is off the boat), and only the third person among 51 first cousins to go to college (my older twin sisters were the first), I can relate to the obstacles our founders experienced just to attend college.

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Given that most GLOs promote scholarship/academics as one of their main tenets or areas of focus, I think that mandatory study hours are a fair expectation of all members.

In AXiD, we had to log 6 hours a week as a pledge. Once a week, there was a previously agreed-upon mandatory time (ex. Weds 6-8), a time when no one had a class. This time was decided upon by the pledge class. We had to sit at one of two large tables. No talking, nothing. I imagine these days it would require no phones, etc.

The remainder of hours (4) could be done at any time. There was a sign-in sheet at the library front desk. Fortunately, the university was more than happy to help us out and have the desk people maintain the lists. If I recall, the library was open very late, so there was NO excuse.

I don't see why flexible study hour requirements are such a burden. Sure, some people study better in various environments, but every student must have SOMETHING in their 5 or 6 classes that they can do QUIETLY at the library. It's called managing your time. Most people have papers/essays/projects that require research. Now, I am not sure if students still use the library for research, but there has to be some use out there.

Being in a GLO is a privilege and a responsibility, and I think that maintaining solid grades are an important requirement. Maybe that makes me old fashioned, but as a first-generation American (my dad is off the boat), and only the third person among 51 first cousins to go to college (my older twin sisters were the first), I can relate to the obstacles our founders experienced just to attend college.

Yeah...okay. But why should people who maintain a very high GPA be required to do study hours? Obviously, my 3.5 indicates that I know how to study BY MYSELF. If I wanted to study in a group, or at the library, I would. And no, not everyone has stuff they can do at the library.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by fantASTic

Yeah...okay. But why should people who maintain a very high GPA be required to do study hours? Obviously, my 3.5 indicates that I know how to study BY MYSELF. If I wanted to study in a group, or at the library, I would. And no, not everyone has stuff they can do at the library.

I TOTALLY hear you. You are obviously the excpetion to the rule, and probably don't need someone to watch over your shoulder. I graduated with a 3.67 and might otherwise probably scoff at being required to show up to prove that I study.

And there are no absolutes - I just think that even those who have great GPAs can find something they can accomplish in two hours of quiet time.

But think about this -

- Other students see Greeks actually studying in the library - GREAT PR

- Members with higher grades can exemptions by tutoring/helping other members

- Helping sisters/brothers bring their grades up provides many benefits for your GLO - you are raising the bar academically and thus might attract more people with a strong academic background, as well as qualify for "best GPA" on campus, win awards for "most improved" within your Inter/national org, etc.

- YOU are proof that you can be in a GLO and be smart. Maybe others (not just other members) can learn by your example.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. There are obviously exceptions, and no system is perfect. Kudos to your academic performance, and thank you for a respectful disagreement.

Fraternally,

[fantASTic]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I TOTALLY hear you. You are obviously the excpetion to the rule, and probably don't need someone to watch over your shoulder. I graduated with a 3.67 and might otherwise probably scoff at being required to show up to prove that I study.

And there are no absolutes - I just think that even those who have great GPAs can find something they can accomplish in two hours of quiet time.

But think about this -

- Other students see Greeks actually studying in the library - GREAT PR

- Members with higher grades can exemptions by tutoring/helping other members

- Helping sisters/brothers bring their grades up provides many benefits for your GLO - you are raising the bar academically and thus might attract more people with a strong academic background, as well as qualify for "best GPA" on campus, win awards for "most improved" within your Inter/national org, etc.

- YOU are proof that you can be in a GLO and be smart. Maybe others (not just other members) can learn by your example.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. There are obviously exceptions, and no system is perfect. Kudos to your academic performance, and thank you for a respectful disagreement.

Fraternally,

I understand your point. However, it is worth noting that you cannot assume that everyone studies the same way. Personally, I cannot study in a completely quiet space. When we had study hours back in the day, it was very difficult for me to get anything done because of that. It is also hard for me to study without the internet, because of the nature of my studies. I look stuff up a LOT. Not having internet in our chapter room meant that it was also hard to get stuff done. Also, most people don't like to have study hours late at night or on the weekends. When you have class from 9-7 every day M-F, it's almost impossible to be able to get to them.

And I do spend time tutoring my sisters (I'm a science major, and many people aren't very good at that, so it's a way that I can be useful to the underclassmen). We set up times between us so that we can meet. I don't need someone to tell me I have to be somewhere or I'll get fined to help a sister.

And I thoroughly enjoy a respectful disagreement, so carry on

[Zeta13Girl]

Am I the only one here where the university made mandatory study hours for new members? I thought this was common thing...maybe I am wrong

[Faith4Keep]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

There was a sign-in sheet at the library front desk. Fortunately, the university was more than happy to help us out and have the desk people maintain the lists. If I recall, the library was open very late, so there was NO excuse.

I think this would really improve the study hours idea, if there was someone at the front desk to make sure people are actually coming to the library and staying in the library, not signing in for others, verifying times, etc. At my school (with over 40 chapters) it's possible that this could be a job opportunity for a student. On the other hand, with new technology, study logs could be done by swiping our student IDs at the entrance to the library... just an idea!

[GeekyPenguin]

I remember how annoyed I was with the way our study hours were structured when I joined - I was a computer science major and we had to be in the library or at the house to do our hours. All my work was in a lab on campus - I literally would sit there and stare at the wall sometimes because I had NOTHING to do. When I became scholarship chair I said you could do work in a lab if you had a study buddy there to certify your hours.