MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University officials say academic performance among the school’s Greek community is now higher than the student population at-large.
During the fall of 2019, the average GPA among fraternity and sorority members was 3.24 compared to the average for WVU undergraduate students, 2.969.
Matthew Richardson, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said the numbers are expected to continue rising.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in the academic performance of our Greek students and it has steadily climbed to be over the all undergraduate average,” Richardson said. “Now, this semester we’re looking at a 3.24 collective which is pretty fantastic.”
Phi Sigma Phi Fraternity led Interfraternity Council with a 3.2 GPA; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity led the National Pan-Hellenic Council with 2.843; Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority led the Panhellenic Association with 3.47; and the Phi Beta Lambda Co-Ed Business Fraternity led the Professional Geek Council with a 3.7 GPA.
“I think what we’re seeing is Greeks being able to collaborate with one another and learn some skills from one another,” Richardson said. “What we’re hoping is our academic service and professional Greeks, some of their good study habits will rub off on our social Greeks.”
He added Greek life has experienced a culture change over the past five years.
“I think our students have realized that with the privilege that comes with being a member of a fraternity or sorority comes with a level of expectation,” he said. “Greeks are often relied upon by administrators and community members to be role models and change agents.”
Richardson also pointed to a policy not allowing first-year students to join a Greek organization during their first semester on campus is also a contributing factor to the improved performance.