Academics and the New Members

I know most of you have just received this wonderful group of New Members! The last thing you want to do is throw them into Pi Phi and college life without any help. Academics is one of those areas that the chapter can help New Members ease into college life. This is also a group of chapter members that you can look at to either raise or lower your chapter GPA! Let's give them the tools to ensure that raise that chapter GPA.
One important thing to remember is that NMs should not be required to complete any more study hours than your initiated members-there is no exception to this! I think it is important to have your NMs under a structured academic program but we can not ask any more of them than we are the other members of the chapter.
Consider holding study hours during a night when new members are already coming to the house for meals, etc. What about having themed hours? Maybe a pajama party one night or a study hall with new members matched with older members of the same major.
Encourage new members to study at your Pi Phi houses/suites, etc. Many of you offer wireless internet and what a great way to get them hanging out and comfortable at the house! I know many of you offer incentives like Skippy Jar and A Box during chapter meetings. Consider attending NM meetings and offering the same incentives!
Now is the time to show the New Members that the chapter is serious about academics. You are helping set a precedent that will leave a lasting impression on your chapter.