ACADEMIC HANDBOOK
2019
Alpha Omicron Pi Iota Sigma Chapter Iowa State University
ACADEMICS IN AOII
The object of the Fraternity shall be to encourage a spirit of fraternity and love among its members; to stand at all times for character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty; to strive for and support the best interests of the colleges and universities in which chapters are installed, and in no way to disregard, injure, or sacrifice those interests for the sake of prestige or advancement of the Fraternity or any of its chapters.
Academic Development Program Mission Statement The purpose of the International Academic Development Program is to instill a positive attitude toward scholarship by assisting members achieve academic excellence and providing guidance, tutoring, incentives, support through sisterhood, and recognition of individual and chapter achievements.
The Vice President of Academic Development encourages members of Iota Sigma chapter to increase overall awareness concerning scholastic affairs.
Alpha Omicron Pi’s International Academic Development Policy can be viewed in its entirety in the Governing Documents of Alpha Omicron Pi Book of Policies available on the Fulfilling the Promise website.
EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES Chapter Expectations Alpha Omicron Pi expects its collegiate chapters to maintain a semester/quarter grade point average equal to either the all-women’s average or the all-sorority average. On campuses where these statistics are not available, the collegiate chapter is expected to maintain a GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 3.75 on a 5.0 scale. Each chapter is also expected to remain in the top half of the Panhellenic academic ranking on its campus. Summer grades are not considered in these calculations.
Chapter Policies If Iota Sigma chapter does not meet the chapter expectations set by Alpha Omicron Pi, the chapter will be placed on academic monitoring. Ensuring that the chapter has enough time devoted to academics, monitoring includes having to obtain approval from the designated volunteer and member of Headquarters staff before proceeding with any AOII-sponsored social activity.
If disregard for AOII’s scholastic standards becomes apparent and the chapter is not making improvements the chapter will be placed on International Probation.
Member Expectations Iota Sigma Chapter requires a 2.5 cumulative high school GPA and a minimum 2.0 cumulative college GPA for pledging. Iota Sigma’s minimum required GPA for its members is 2.5. The GPA will go off of the most recent semester.
Member Policies Membership to Leaders’ Council requires a 2.75 minimum semester GPA, and a 2.5 GPA is required for all other elected and appointed officer positions. In order to increase requirements they need to be approved by chapter vote and the change needs to be reflected in the chapter bylaws.
A member will go on academic watch after their first semester of not meeting the required GPA. A member will go on academic probation after their second, consecutive semester of not meeting the required GPA.
Member with Learning Disabilities For members with learning disabilities, AOII academic expectations are the same, keeping in mind that academic probation terms are individualized. Members with learning disabilities do not lose their voting or social privileges if she follows the terms of her probation.
Written documentation is required in order to be recognized as having a learning disability. The probationary terms for a member with a learning disability should require them to assess the academic modifications granted to them by their disability or student support services to develop the terms of probation.
GOALS Academic Goals Academic goals will be determined by LC/Cab at the beginning of each semester.
Individual Goals At the beginning of the each semester, a Chapter Grade Report/Goal Setting Presentation was given to inform members of the current status of the chapter’s academic standing and requirements. At the conclusion a goal setting session was held where members outlined their goals for each of their classes this semester along with long term goals. A smaller goal slip will be distributed so that the chapter’s goal grade point average could be assessed based on the goal grade point averages of the members This will be assessed when school returns and grades are released by the University.
Individual meetings will be held with members whose semester grade point averages are below 2.5. Goals will be discussed for the upcoming semester after examining how to improve upon unsuccessful habits.
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING
Educational Programs Academic Development Programming will be calendared once a semester through the Student Success Center. Educational workshops will address topics such as establishing good faculty relationships, study tips, graduate school application overviews, and career opportunities.
Scholarship rubies are awarded to individuals who complete specific studying habits that promote or enhance positive academic habits. These rubies are due by the end of each month at 11:59pm with proper documentation.
Examples of activities that can be completed for rubies:
General ● Filling out a planner each week - 2 rubies per week filled out ● Flashcards - 1 ruby per 20 flashcards ● B on test/project/essay - 2 rubies ● A on test/project/essay - 3 rubies ● 100% on test/project/essay - 4 rubies ● B or better on a quiz (20 points or less) - 1 ruby ● Pre-Lab/Post-Lab/Lab Report - 3 rubies ● Review Session/SI Session - 2 rubies per session ● Writing and media center appointment - 2 rubies per appointment ● Tutoring - 1 ruby per session ● Meeting with an advisor - 1 ruby ● Meeting with VPAD - 2 rubies ● Geek of the Week winner - 2 rubies ● Attend a meeting related to your major - 1 ruby ● Creating/Filling out a study guide - 1 ruby ● Study Hour - 1 ruby per 1 hour ● Attending the weekly study session at the house - 2 rubies ● Research credits - 1 ruby/1 credit
Design/Fashion Majors ● Sketchbook page - 2 rubies ● Pinned up for Critique - 3 rubies ● Project write-up - 1 ruby ● Working on projects (in-class and out of class) - 1 ruby per 1 hour
Teaching Majors ● Creating a lesson plan - 2 rubies ● Rubric to go w/ lesson plan - 1 ruby
Requirements ● Members with a previous semester GPA between the following benchmarks must complete the given number of scholarship rubies per month. o 3.5 – 4.0 : 10 rubies per month o 3.0 – 3.49 : 15 rubies per month o 2.5 – 2.99 : 20 rubies per month o 2.0 - 2.49 : 25 rubies per month o 1.5 - 1.99 : 30 rubies per month o 1.0 - 1.49 : 35 rubies per month o 0.0 - 0.99 : 40 rubies per month
Consequences for not completing scholarship rubies:
First Offense Failure to submit the required number of scholarship rubies by 11:59pm on the final day of the month will result in an email with detailed information regarding why you didn’t complete your rubies.
Second Offense Failure to submit the required number of scholarship rubies by 11:59pm on the final day of the second month of the semester will result in a meeting with the Vice President of Academic Development, and/or Assistant Vice President of Academic Development.
Third Offense Failure to submit the required number of scholarship rubies by 11:59pm on the final day of the third month of the semester will result in a meeting with the Vice President of Academic Development and/or Assistant Vice President of Academic Development, and Standards discussing your standing within the chapter.
New Member Development It is the chapter’s job to help new members be successful. The VPAD attends the second new member lesson and presents the Academic Development Program to them. They sign a university grade release agreement and their parents receive a letter discussing AOII’s academic expectations.
New members will be grouped with an upperclassmen mentor so that academic progress may be monitored throughout the semester. These mentors will briefly meet with new members to offer advice on studying techniques and to answer any questions that may arise. These mentors will report to the Vice President of Academic Development and all information concerning grades will be held in strict confidence.
Members Not in Good Standing The Academic Development Committee is there to step in and assist members struggling academically. A member who is not in good academic standing has fallen below the grade requirements, they lose rights and privileges as stated in the bylaws for a term or until their scholarship is again at the required GPA.
Academic Watch - Any member with a semester GPA below 2.5 in the most recent semester will meet with the Vice President of Academic Development. This meeting will take place as soon as possible after the chapter grades are received at the beginning of the next semester. With the help of the VPAD, the member will set specific GPA goals and personal goals. A set of requirements must then be met during that semester: ● They must complete their required scholarship rubies each month. ● The Vice President of Academic Development will contact the member at midterms to help her reach her goals.
Academic Probation - Any member with a semester GPA of 2.5 or below for two consecutive semesters will meet with a committee consisting of the Vice President of Academic Development, the Chapter President, the Vice President of Standards, the standards committee, and the Academic Development and/or Standards Advisers. The terms of probation, which will last for the entire semester are to be determined by the Vice President of Standards, the standards committee, and the Vice President of Academic Development. The terms of probation may include as follows: ● The member needs to seek guidance from a professor, tutor, and/or academic coach. ● The member loses voice/chapter vote. ● The member is expected to attend weekly and other chapter events. ● The member must keep all financial obligations current. ● The member must represent the highest ideals of the fraternity through your actions in person and through social media. ● The member is not eligible to hold any chapter office position. ● The member is expected to complete their scholarship rubies each month. ● The member may lose right to social privileges including, but not limited to YLH, Lip-Sync, Chapter-Wide Social Events, etc. ● Probation terms are left to the discretion of the CPAD and Standards committee. They may choose not to place a member on international probation when they see fit.
ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS Chapter Recognition Recognition within the chapter for academic achievement is important to keep motivation levels and enthusiasm levels high.
To acknowledge scholastic accomplishments there will be: ● Academic Award Ceremony held at the beginning of every semester where members will be rewarded and acknowledged for their accomplishments throughout the past semester. Awards include but are not limited to Dean’s List, Pi Club, Highest GPA in Pledge Class, Most Improved GPA, Anyone Who Improved their GPA, etc.
Campus Recognition It is important to support our University’s academic endeavors and participate in them so that they will continue to be provided for us. Also, by working to improve our chapter’s grade point average the campus will also become more aware of our achievement
Campus Honor Societies: Alpha Epsilon Alpha Kappa Delta Alpha Lambda Delta/Phi Eta Sigma Alpha Pi Mu Alpha Zeta Beta Beta Beta Cardinal Key Honor Society Chi Epsilon Epsilon Pi Tau Eta Kappa Nu Eta Sigma Delta Eta Sigma Phi/ The Classics Club Fraternal Values Society Gamma Sigma Alpha Gamma Sigma Delta Golden Key International Honor Society Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Club Iota Iota Iota Women's Studies Honorary Kappa Kappa Psi/Tau Beta Sigma Joint Kappa Omicron Nu, Omicron Gamma Chapter Kappa Tau Alpha Keramos Mortar Board National Honor Society National Society of Collegiate Scholars Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society Order of Omega Phi Alpha Theta, Kappa Iota Chapter Phi Beta Kappa Phi Kappa Phi Phi Sigma Pi Phi Upsilon Omicron Pi Mu Epsilon (ISU Math Club) Pi Sigma Alpha Pi Tau Sigma Psi Chi Rho Lambda Sigma Alpha Sigma Alpha Lambda Sigma Delta Pi Sigma Gamma Tau Sigma Lambda Chi Sigma Phi Omega, Chapter Iota Sigma Upsilon Sigma Tau Delta Tau Beta Pi The Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement Xi Sigma Pi
International AOII Recognition McCausland Cup The McCausland Cup, established in honor of Lillian MacQuillan McCausland, AOII’s eighth National President, is presented during International Convention and Leadership Institute to the most outstanding chapter in the area of academic achievement.
Academic Honor Roll Chapters who earn above a 3.14 GPA for at least one of two semesters during the course of the previous year receive Academic Honor Roll ribbons and certificates at International Convention and Leadership Institute. Visit the AOII website to see a list of those who received this award this past year.
Academic scholarships through the AOII Foundation Information can be found at www.aoiifoundation.org. Scholarships are always due on the first of March each year for the following academic year.
CAMPUS/AREA RESOURCES & TUTORING SERVICES University Writing Center Hixon-Lied Student Success Center More information can be found at: https://www.wmc.dso.iastate.edu
University Tutoring Program Hixon-Lied Student Success Center Call: (515)294-6624 More information can be found at: https://www.asc.dso.iastate.edu/tutoring
Academic Policy Petition Process All policies can be found at: http://www.policy.iastate.edu/policy/academics
Academic Advising Individual advisors assigned upon registration in each college. More general information can be found at: http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/students
Career Development Center Career Services information can be found at: http://www.career.iastate.edu/
Campus Library Parks Library Call: (515)294-3642 More information can be found at: http://www.lib.iastate.edu/info/6000
Public Library 515 Douglas Ave. Ames, IA 50010 Call: (515)239-5646 More information can be found at: http://www.amespubliclibrary.org/
Student Disability Services Student Services Building Call: (515)294-7220 More information can be found at: http://catalog.iastate.edu/studentservices/
*At the end of this document is the goal setting sheet created for the chapter along with the document distributed to new members.
GOAL SETTING
Name:______Date:______
Current School Term: Fall/Winter GPA : Cumulative: ______Last Term :______
Class: _____First-Year _____Sophomore _____Junior _____Senior
Major(s)/Minor(s):______Current Classes Goal Classification (GE, major, Rank of Difficulty Grade etc.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
SHORT TERM GOALS Goal GPA for Current Term (this should be consistent with your goal grades listed above):_____ For each class, list the major contributing factors to your grade. Then, underneath them write specific quantifiable goals for each of these categories.
Class:______Requirements: Goals:
Class:______Requirements: Goals:
Class:______Requirements: Goals:
Class:______Requirements: Goals:
Class:______Requirements: Goals: LONG-TERM GOALS Summer Goals:
Actions that Need to be Taken to Reach Said Goals:
Professional/Post-Graduation Goals:
Actions that Need to be Taken to Reach Said Goals:
Miscellaneous Goals for Term/Future:
VPAD Information/Interest Sheet
Name______
___First-Year ____Sophomore ____Junior ____Senior
Major(s)/Minor(s):______
Please Answer the Questions: Would you be willing to tutor those in your major/minor pattern? yes no
Would you like to be a tutor and/or a general writing tutor? yes no
If tutors were available to you, would you utilize them? yes no
Is there anything that as VPAD I can do for you or that you would like to see done through this office?
TERM EVALUATION
Name______Class______
Term GPA______Term Goal GPA______Cumulative GPA______
Class______Grade______Goal Grade______Major Class Y N
Class______Grade______Goal Grade______Major Class Y N
Class______Grade______Goal Grade______Major Class Y N
Class______Grade______Goal Grade______Major Class Y N
Class______Grade______Goal Grade______Major Class Y N
In relation to other semesters, was this one particularly more difficult? Y N
Reasons Goals Were Not Met (check all applicable) ◻ Procrastination ◻ Missed Class ◻ Poor Test Grades ◻ Didn’t Do Homework (including reading) ◻ Bad Study Habits ◻ Didn’t Understand the Material ◻ Unrealistic Goals ◻ Other______
Reasons Goals Were Met ◻ Did Homework (including reading) ◻ Asked for Help when Needed ◻ Good Study Habits ◻ Participated in Class ◻ Satisfactory Test Grades ◻ Grasped Material ◻ Other______