Central Michigan University students interested in joining any Greek organization will have to get used to some new changes to the academic system.

Tom Idema, assistant director of Student Life, said CMU is instituting a program this fall requiring students joining Greek organizations to have a minimum grade point average of 2.5.

Idema said it’s not so different from what many Greeks had before but now it will be enforced.

“Students would come in saying, ‘hey, I’ve been invited to join’ and we would look at their GPA and (it would be under 2.5 GPA) so we would call the national organization and they would say ‘just take the person,’” he said.

Incoming freshmen who wish to join a Greek organization will rely on their high school GPA in order to join, said Greek Life Assistant Lauren Elias.

The Clarkston junior likes this policy because it will create standards for all Greeks, not just most.

“It keeps the focus on academics and keeps groups accountable,” she said. “Most organizations already have it so it only affects a small group.”

Students already in Greek organizations will be grandfathered in, but Idema said there will be expectations for them to keep their grades up, too.

He said a new plan will be instituted to make sure organizations are continuing to focus on academics rather than just their organization.

All Greek organizations will also be required to keep a group GPA of 2.5. Idema said only four Greek organizations of more than 20 have been under that mark out of the last three semesters.

The new plan will put groups in violation on academic probation for one semester.

“That’s more of a warning to the organizations,” he said.

If the organization still is under a 2.5 GPA in the semester following the probation, they will then be suspended from the university.

“They will be shut down, they aren’t focusing and (would) no longer be an asset,” Idema said.

Chelsea Belote, Panhellenic Council executive president, thinks the rules are a good idea.

“I think it’s obtainable, I don’t think it will affect anyone negatively,” the Rochester senior said. “It helps keep everyone accountable. (Academics) is why we are at school.”

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E-mail the author: Eric Dresden