Scholarship

When Alpha Chi Omega was founded in 1885 its founders decided on five criteria upon which to root itself and select its members. One of these criterions is scholarship, or as it is considered in chapter documents, academics. For this reason, each year every Alpha Chi Omega chapter elects a Vice President of Intellectual Development to over see and uphold the sorority’s academic ideals.

The Vice President of Intellectual development holds study hours four times a week each of which is held by a member of the Intellectual Development committee. One of the study hour times, each of which is held for two hours, is held by the vice president herself so as to ensure a quiet environment conducive to studying. Additionally the vice president proctors the study hours in order to make herself available to any questions, help, or advice the chapter members may have. One hour of proctored study hours is required of the uninitiated members of the chapter to ensure that they maintain good study habits as being a new member can be a stressful time and members may have difficulties managing their time. Good study habits are essential to the members of Alpha Chi Omega as the chapter maintains that scholarship is the foundation and first priority of its members. To encourage good study habits, the chapter has devised a reward system called the Pearl Point System, named after the chapter stone. Each member of the chapter is assigned a pearl point value, based on the previous semester’s grade point average, to be achieved over the course of the present semester. Pearl points can be achieved by attending study hours; receiving A’s on school work, meeting with professors, and attending Learning Center seminars or visiting Learning Center tutors.

Chapter members are only expected to achieve their assigned pearl point value; however, for those who go above and beyond the expected value, the woman with the highest pearl point value at the end of the semester receives the Study Bug Award and a gift, usually Alpha Chi Omega memorabilia. Furthermore, each semester certificates are given to those women who achieved a grade point average of a 3.5 or higher, who had the most improved grade point average, and gifts and a certificate are given to the women who receive a 4.0 grade point average or higher. For those women who find themselves in academic trouble, or who would like academic assistance, academic plans are available that involve weekly monitoring of grades and progress and assistance and guidance. Planners are kept by the sisters on these plans to help them manage their time efficiently. Alpha Chi Omega also holds additional events that focus around academics, including study breaks before midterms and finals, resume planning, and an annual Faculty Dessert that Alpha Chi Omega holds in honor and appreciation of the University’s academic foundation, its faculty and staff.

This year, a new Academic Motivation plan was created to ensure that members of Alpha Chi Omega would not be penalized for missing events for academic reasons. The VP of Intellectual Development receives and reviews the member’s syllabi, anticipated workload, and other stressors within the first two weeks of the semester and determines whether or not this plan is necessary. The plan is an attempt to alleviate some of the stress of balancing school and the demanding schedule of Alpha Chi Omega. Furthermore, another program is currently in the making. The Study Sister program is being designed to get older sisters to tutor their fellow sisters in classes that they may be struggling in. This program is yet another way to ensure that our sisterhood upholds this important ideal of academic success. For our new members this year, packets were given to them explaining everything they needed to know about study hours and pearl points. Also included in that packet was a list of sisters and their major if they had any questions about what teachers or what classes to take. This packet was a way to ease their transition into the sorority.

New Initiates of Order of Omega Fall of 2007