Some of the Greek organizations on campus have increased mandatory study hall hours for their members, regardless of students’ grade point averages. Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Shannon Sumerlin wrote in an email that study hall is one way Greek organizations promote academic success,

Fraternity and Sorority Life does not require study hours for Greek organizations, Sumerlin wrote. Each organization has an officer in charge of assisting with academic success, and each organization does whatever it feels is most beneficial to its members.

One of the founding precepts of all the Greek organizations is academic success, Sumerlin wrote. Fraternity and sorority members have a higher grade point average than their non-member colleagues, and those living in Greek housing have a higher grade point average than students who live elsewhere.

Junior speech pathology major Lacey Gardell said she thought study hall hours were a good idea, and she was glad her sorority required them. However, Gardell, who is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, said she has a 4.0 grade point average and believes those who have a high grade point average should not be required to do as many study hall hours.

“I think it should be a reward for being on top of your studying,” Gardell said.

Junior Madi Reid, Vice President II (New Member Coordinator) for Zeta Tau Alpha, said her sorority increased its study hall hours because many of its members seemed to forget the main reason for being at school is an education.

“We place a really high priority on academic success,” Reid said.

Reid said study hall is required for students going through her sorority’s new member program. It is also strongly recommended to upper-level students who are struggling in their classes.

Higher grade point averages of students who attended study hall led to the increase in the number of study hall hours for members in Sigma Phi Epsilon,  junior finance and accounting major Jeffrey Parent said. After a trial semester, Sigma Phi Epsilon saw an improvement in grade point averages of students who had their study hall hours increased. It also led to fewer members being put on academic probation.

Parent said only members on academic probation are required to go to study hall. After a student’s first year, students should be able to manage their time by themselves.

“If they are struggling after their first year then there are greater issues at hand than study hours,” Parent said.

The purpose of study hall is to create a culture of academic improvement and personal success, he said.

Both Parent and Reid said study hall is implemented in two ways.

Proctored study hours are held in a certain location on campus, and students are monitored by a proctor to make sure they are doing their work, Parent said. Sigma Phi Epsilon rents out a study room on campus three nights a week for five hours and has older members present to answer questions younger students might have.

Unproctored study hall is for students completing study hall hours on their own time and does not have to be done in a certain spot in the library, Reid said.

Many of the Greek organizations do not have study hall as an academic requirement, but use other tools for scholastic programming, Sumerlin said

Gardell said members of Alpha Delta Pi can get scholarships, and the sorority will help pay for members to get tutors in different subject areas. She said she thought study hours was a good way to help students excel in classes.