Fraternities and sororities maintained a higher grade point average (GPA) during Spring 2002 than they had in the past three academic years, according to a report distributed at last week's Penn State Board of Trustees meeting.

According to the report by the Office of Student Affairs' division of fraternity and sorority life, the combined GPA for all fraternities and sororities was 3.06, with fraternities holding a 2.92 GPA and sororities maintaining a 3.27 average.

"Rankings are a really big deal because they are a huge tool in our recruitment," Panhellenic Council president Alison Lipsett said.

The report lists the all-university average GPA as 3.07, with the undergraduate men's and women's averages at 2.96 and 3.19, respectively.

The Office of the Registrar, whose report included students from all campuses and degrees, reported the all-university average as 3.0.

Amy Deatrich, vice president of Pi Beta Phi sorority, said her organization emphasizes five objectives, "one of which is improving yourself mentally through academic achievement."

"We do have a minimum requirement of 3.0 [GPA]to become a member," she said, adding that there are penalties for members who fall below the standard.

"If at any point in your membership you fall one point below the sorority average [to a 2.0 GPA], you are not allowed to attend social functions and you will have mandatory study hours," she said.

Alpha Rho Chi fraternity, 320 S. Fraser St., had the highest GPA in the IFC, with a 3.32.

Andrea Hauber, Alpha Rho Chi president, said the coed fraternity has held the highest GPA in the IFC for at least three years.

"We kind of expect to be at the top because we've been there for the past few years," she said.

Zeta Tau Alpha, with a 3.44, had the highest Panhellenic Council (PHC) GPA.

Abby Barto, president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, said she was excited to see the sorority's improvement from fifth place in 2000-01 to first place last year.

Theta Delta Chi fraternity, 305 E. Prospect Ave., and Phi Mu sorority had the lowest GPAs, with 2.42 and 2.92, respectively.

Lipsett said each individual chapter establishes its own academic policies.

Max Pipman, Interfraternity Council (IFC) president, said the IFC has set academic standards for its members.

"If an organization falls below a 2.50, they must attend study hours, and we have a chairperson who checks on them," he said.

Chapters who still fail to improve academically could face further sanctions and social probation.

Scott Phelan, director of fraternity and sorority life, said all greek organizations were established for academic reasons and fraternities and sororities still strive to live up to high academic standards.

"Despite the stereotypes, they are all here for academic purposes," Phelan said.