Delta Phi member Mark Gerencher saw two of his business class grades jump an entire letter grade last semester, thanks to the Academic Consultant Program.

The program, a joint effort by the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils, began in October 1992 to improve scholastics among fraternity and sorority members, said IFC President Bill Donato.

Fraternity men and sorority women who meet the 2.8 grade point average requirement can apply for positions as consultants, Donato said, adding that there are about 20 to 30 consultants.

Two consultants are assigned to each fraternity or sorority involved and meet once a week for about an hour in a classroom or library, said Anthony Blenkinsop, IFC academics committee chairman.

The role of the consultants is to advise members and lead discussions about courses and professors, Blenkinsop said. Studying and test-taking techniques are also stressed and the consultants help find tutors when needed.

"Every chapter they've been working with has shown improvement," Blenkinsop said, adding that both the consultants and the chapters involved volunteer to offer or receive help.

Delta Phi fraternity, 120 W. Fairmount Ave., is evidence that the program is working. Among the 57 fraternities, Delta Phi placed 38th last spring with a 2.57 GPA. This past semester, Delta Phi was first with a 3.05 GPA.

"I was actually very surprised when Rick (Funk) read the announcement at IFC. It was really good to hear it," said Delta Phi President Damien Deville.

Aside from the program, Delta Phi members motivated themselves by enforcing study hours, studying with other members at the house or the library and waking each other up for class, Deville said.

"But with the pledge class I think the academic consultants program helped a lot," he said. "Their grades went up even as far as an entire point better." Gerencher (sophomore-marketing) was a pledge last semester and proof of this.

The program is helpful to the pledge classes because most are freshmen and unfamiliar with academic services the University offers, said Mariana Yunis, a member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority, 1 Shulze. Yunis worked as an academic consultant last semester.

"When I was a freshman I wish they had such a program," said Yunis (junior-psychology). "I really could have used it then."

One freshman pledge said he learned how to manage his time from the program. Mike Tuscano (freshman-English) was a pledge at Delta Tau Delta fraternity, 429 E. Hamilton Ave., last semester and said between rush, then pledging and classes, "you find out really quick you have no time."

The program keeps the emphasis on academics in sororities and fraternities, said Kara Kravetz, pledge educator at Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, 2 Ritner. It proves the Greek community's commitment to grades, added Kravetz (senior-speech communication).

"I think people get caught up in too much stuff," she said. "It's good to have one night set aside for solely academics."

So far the program has not started for the Spring Semester but will resume after spring fraternity rush is done. "It's still a very young program. We're still trying to get the feel for things," Blenkinsop said.