Fraternities to raise GPA standards
November 23, 2010
By Kate Carpenter
In an effort to promote scholarship in the Greek system, the organizational GPA of fraternities is being raised to a 3.0.
“We are trying to hold Greek men to a higher standard,” UK Interfraternity Council President Kelsie Willett said. “It will bring more legitimacy to our community, and it is something that has needed to happen for a long time.”
Keith Ellis, assistant director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at UK and a fraternity adviser, said the change was approved on Nov.
“From an adviser’s perspective, I am proud of the guys for challenging themselves and setting the expectation for membership to be improved,” Ellis said.
The change to the minimum organizational GPA will be gradual. By the end of fall 2010, fraternities must reach the all-male average GPA, which is currently a 2.88. By the spring of 2011, fraternities must have a 2.9 GPA. By the fall of 2011, fraternities must have a 2.95. And then by the spring of 2012, all fraternities must have an organizational GPA of a 3.0. In addition to those requirements, a man preparing to join a fraternity must have a high school GPA of a 2.7 before rushing.
“However, for chapters that make continuous improvement, we will give you more time,” Willett said.
Dave Lowe, the Interfraternity Council vice president and member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, proposed the change. Lowe said the first semester a fraternity does not fulfill the requirement, it must meet with Ellis and the national fraternity adviser. The second semester, the fraternity loses its Interfraternity vote and is under social probation. The third semester, the fraternity is excluded from intramural participation and the fourth semester, the fraternity would lose the right to recruit freshmen in the fall.
“The Greek community at UK is in a state of change,” Lowe said. “We want to make sure we are being a valuable member of the community and giving back. When people join Greek organizations, you make a promise to hold yourself accountable. We want to take that commitment seriously.”
In addition to the GPA requirement changes, edits were also made to the benefits associated with high achieving chapters. If an organization reaches a GPA of 3.2, it will receive a $75 reduction in IFC dues, up from what used to be a $50 reduction. If the GPA is 3.3, it will receive a $125 reduction, up from $100. If the GPA is 3.4, it will receive a $275 reduction, up from $250.
“Anything we can do to help guys become more focused is a good thing,” Willett said.
“This is the right direction. We want to hold fraternities to a higher standard.”
