Greek Grades Top General Student Population at UW

Feb. 15, 2006 -- Grades earned by members of the University of Wyoming's fraternities and sororities this fall semester surpassed grade point averages (GPA) earned by the general UW student population.

UW Dean of Students Richard Stegman says fraternity members posted an overall grade point average of 2.86, higher than the 2.76 average for all men. Sorority members set an average GPA of 3.12, higher than the overall women's average of 3.09. Seventeen members of Delta Delta Delta sorority earned 4.0 GPAs for the fall 2005 semester.

Members of the Greek system comprise 6.6 percent of the student population on the Laramie campus.

Stegman also notes improvements made by members of the fraternity and sorority pledge classes, saying, "The improved pledge class GPAs this past semester show that the Greek community is moving in the right direction at the University of Wyoming. The enhanced partnership among UW fraternities, sororities, and the administration that was codified in the Greek Relationship Statement (GRS) last year is starting to show its impact on the campus."

The overall GPA for first-year fraternity members was 2.47, compared to the average of 2.31 for all first-year male students. First-year sorority members achieved a pledge class average of 2.95, exceeding the 2.85 posted by all first-year women students.

Members of the UW Greek system have opportunities to enhance their academic success by combining tutoring, study tables, and other campus support systems, Stegman says. They also benefit the community by performing thousands of hours of volunteer work, involvement with student government and other student organizations, campus honoraries, and participation in leadership development programs. According to Stegman, Greeks not only enjoy an environment that promotes academic development but also develop important career contacts for the future.

"Being Greek is a lifelong commitment, and members have the opportunity to develop meaningful friendships with a diverse array of individuals that they might otherwise not have known," he says. "Many of these relationships continue into the professional world, providing job contacts and networks for career development."

Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006