REPORT CARD: CAMPUS GREEK GROUPS IMPROVE IN ACADEMICS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The report card is in on the fraternity-sorority system at Southeast Missouri State University and the results indicate marked improvement in academic standing.

"This has been a banner year," said Teresa Hall, Southeast Greek life coordinator.

The accomplishments were announced at the All-Greek Chapter meeting, which concluded the Greek Week celebration recently.

The All-Greek Chapter, whose membership comprises all Southeast fraternity and sorority members meets annually.

Scholastic achievement awards were presented to 189 fraternity and sorority members whose grade point averages (GPA) are above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, 30 were recognized for holding 4.0 grade point averages.

About 800 students, comprising 10 fraternities and nine sororities, participate in the Greek system at Southeast.

The all-fraternity grade point average was 2.4 this school year, up from 2.0 five years ago. The all-sorority average was 2.7, and 25 percent of all sorority and fraternity members had grade point averages of 3.0.

The overall university undergraduate average currently stands at 2.623. The overall university male and female undergraduate averages are 2.436 and 2.763, respectively, said Dr. Fred Snider, dean of admissions and records.

"Currently, we hover right at the all-male (grade point) average on campus. The fraternity men have worked really hard on raising their academic average," said Hall.

Lambda Chi Alpha won awards for the highest chapter average for fraternities with a 2.812 GPA and highest initiated-member average of 2.948. Theta Xi won the award for the highest associate-pledge average of 2.725.

Delta Delta Delta won awards for the highest sorority chapter average with a 2.837 and highest associate-pledge average of 3.007. Zeta Tau Alpha was honored for having the highest initiated-member average of 2.904.

"Academic excellence has become a major focus of attention for each chapter (over the past two years)," Hall said. "This is the year when we really are starting to bring things together."

The announcement of Greek academic achievements comes on the heels of a new chapter minimum standards average that was recently approved by the Interfraternity, Panhellenic and Pan-Hellenic councils, the governing bodies for traditionally white fraternities, traditionally white sororities, and traditionally black sororities and fraternities, respectively.

The measure sets a minimum level of accomplishment that chapters must achieve to remain in good standing at Southeast, Hall said.

The policy requires chapters to maintain an associate-pledge and new member grade point average of 2.25. The measure also sets minimum standards in other areas, including community and campus service.

In addition to scholastic achievements, several other awards were announced at the All-Greek Chapter meeting.

Most notably, Alpha Chi Omega received the first "President's Award for Fraternal Excellence." The award, scheduled to be awarded annually, was presented by Southeast President Kala Stroup.

The award recognizes a fraternity or sorority displaying fraternal excellence and is based on 21 criteria concerning chapter programming, including scholarship; finances; Greek, alumni and community relations; and campus involvement.