School Academics

RACooper · #1 01-20-2005, 10:52 PM

Okay...

I've been holding off on this particular rant for a while... but some "wonderful" consultant from some GLO decided to bring this up today...

Yes the chapters here at UofT don't manage to pull down that fantastic 3.0+ your chapter did.... then again basket weaving, weight training, cosmetics, sewing, or "country living" aren't part of the standard sourse load...

I mean holy sh*t people that have the balls to get up in front of a chapter and sh*t upon them for their grades better have some basic back-up... for example telling a sorority that their standard is "sh*tty"; when 3 (of 21) pull down a 93rd+ percentile for law school and have scholarships to Oxford... come on; some god-damned research into the actual academic standards of the school before "miss fashion major" decides to crap all over the people here huh...

AGDee · #2 01-21-2005, 07:35 AM

Ok, I'll bite. My province includes the Tau chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta at U of T and they have consistently (for the past 5 years) reported a GPA varying between 3.08 and 3.21. Therefore, it is quite possible. In those 5 years, they haven't had ANY members who didn't make grades either (ie. the minimum GPA required to remain in good standing). They are one of my best chapters academically and are very consistent in that area. I love 'em

In Alpha Gam, we have a Strive for Pi program where we honor chapters and individuals that have a 3.14 GPA and they achieve it at least one semester every year.

Dee

ETA: Although there are things that sometimes require a "firm hand", I have generally found that positive reinforcement gets more results than "sh*t upon them for their grades". I think incentive systems and award systems can be done well in the area of scholarship and can help to raise grades.

PiPhiGirl2005 · #3 01-21-2005, 09:33 AM

AGDee, my chapter uses a "Pi Society" program, too! We have a little ice cream party or something for all the girls who achieve over a 3.14 in any given semester.

As far as the GPA question goes with schools which are "tougher" academically, I attend Hillsdale College, which I consider to be an extremely difficult institution. However, my chapter GPA last semester was 3.394 - the highest of any active sorority on campus, I might add.

Our chapter GPA goal for the past few years was 3.3 and we have recently (this year) raised it to 3.4 since we were consistently making a 3.3 and wanted something higher to strive for.

I think that internationally, all member of a Greek organization should strive for the highest academic achievement possible. Additionally, if they organization were to let those members taking harder classes or studying at "harder" institutions slide, that would be holding its members to a double standard.

PhoenixAzul · #4 01-21-2005, 09:52 AM

My chapter average was 3.69 for the past quarter, and 3.55for spring and fall combined. We've got art majors, comm majors, pre vet majors, 4 nursing majors (one of the hardest majors at OC), music majors...etc. It kinda sounds as if we're making the assertion that just because it isn't math and science, it isn't difficult. Art history is plenty difficult, thanks. But our average is no. 1 in sororities by .3. We're number one on campus men and women. I think that's something to be proud of.

I love the Pi idea though. My teacher in high school was real big on having "Pi day" on 3/14. I'm sure she'd love the idea for her students (and she's an AKA, I'm sure she'd get it).

Oh! and our incentive program? A 10% discount on our dues if we make 3.5 or above.

PiPhiGirl2005 · #5 01-21-2005, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PhoenixAzul
Oh! and our incentive program? A 10% discount on our dues if we make 3.5 or above.

That is a GREAT idea!

Wine&SilverBlue · #6 01-21-2005, 12:11 PM

I think our chapter's cumulative GPA (not including last semester, which we're still waiting on) was something like a 3.41 -- but it's still on the low end compared to a few of the other sororities (but only by a few thousandths). Honestly, a 3.41 is AMAZING, especially at Wash U, and I think our VP Mental should not be stressing about our chapter improving our cumGPA.

shadokat · #7 01-21-2005, 01:48 PM

We would give a 50% off discount for formal to any sister who makes Dean's List. Trust me, positive incentives can work. As for your rant RACoop, sorry dude, I don't understand it!

Quote:

Originally posted by PiPhiGirl2005
That is a GREAT idea!

Rudey · #8 01-21-2005, 02:07 PM

If your chapter has below a 3.0 GPA then work on it. Even at the better schools we are conscious of our GPAs. We didn't work our arses off to get to good schools and then want to slack and think we'll become doctors, lawyers, and investment bankers with a 2.0 GPA. There are certain schools with high grade inflation. I know there are even certain top schools that got into the media for having a problem with it (Stanford and Harvard come to mind). Even schools that prided themselves on zero grade inflation like Reed and Chicago definitely now have it.

Anyway, I hope all those chapters with lower GPAs work on them and you improve along with other aspects of your chapters. There is no reason to look for excuses or reasons not to be the best right?

-Rudey

LightBulb · #9 01-21-2005, 02:35 PM

Yay!
Our colony does not have the highest GPA on campus, but it has gone up .09 this past semester! So... we are working on it.. and getting better... yay!