Members of Mississippi State University’s Greek societies had higher than average GPAs in the fall 2001 semester with Chi Omega and Phi Delta Theta and Zeta Phi Beta leading the way. According to figures provided by Heidie Lindsey, assistant director of student life, the GPA of students in Greek societies was higher than the overall campus GPA; however, she said the difference is not seen in fraternities, only sororities.
Lindsey said the Greek societies, which are members of Panhellenic and the traditionally black Pan-hellenic are required to submit their group’s academic standings at the beginning of each semester.
Zeta Phi Beta President Yolandria Henderson said keeping a high GPA was a key priority for her sorority.
“One of our founding principles is scholarship,” Henderson said. “That’s one of those things you have to believe in to even get into the sorority. Also, a lot of our members work together for studying and things like that.”
Overall, the average GPA of the entire MSU student body was 2.82, while the average GPA of students in Greek societies was 2.928.
The overall GPA of female students last semester was 2.92 while the average GPA of sorority members was 3.1.
The overall GPA of men remained the same in and out of fraternities at 2.74.
Chi Omega fraternity had the highest GPA of any Greek organization. Sandra Sentell, president of Chi Omega, reported their fall 2001 GPA as 3.280.
Phi Delta Theta President Matthew Harrison reported his fraternity’s GPA as 3.16-the highest GPA among all MSU fraternities.
Among traditionally black sororities, Zeta Phi Beta came in first with 3.118. Zeta Phi Beta’s brother fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma came out on top among traditionally black fraternities with a GPA of 2.97.
Phi Beta Sigma President Bobby Sims said members of his fraternity keep an eye on progress and encourage each other to keep grades high.
“Every day, we ask how everyone is doing. We really stay on each other’s cases,” Sims said. “We make sure all our members are going to class and basically do what a parent would do making sure the others don’t stay out too late and things like that.”
However, Sims said he is still hoping for continued improvement in his fraternity GPAs.
“I hope it improves again next semester. We won’t be satisfied with that,” Sims said.