Both UTM Greek Life and the Athletics Department have worked hard in their respective areas this past semester; however, they have also worked diligently in the classroom.

The director of Greek Life, Louis Ragsdale, said, “The fraternities and sororities have done a great job in increasing their academic goals this past year.”

The sororities made the biggest improvement, increasing their all sorority average from 2.98 in fall 2004 to 3.05 in spring 2005. The all fraternity average was 2.69, an increase of .02 from fall 2004.

Chi Omega overcame Alpha Delta Pi this past semester in GPA standings to lead the sororities with a 3.33 chapter GPA. Alpha Delta Pi was not far behind, however, with a 3.13. Alpha Omicron Pi followed with a 3.11.

Alpha Gamma Rho led the fraternities again this past semester with a 2.98 GPA. They were followed by Sigma Phi Epsilon with a 2.97 and Alpha Tau Omega with a 2.91.

While UTM student athletes had a .02 decrease in their cumulative GPA when compared to fall 2004, several teams made improvements, eight of the teams had an average GPA of 3.00 or higher and several of the student athletes made the Dean’s List this past semester.

The women’s cross country team led the Athletics Department for the spring 2005 semester with a 3.64 GPA. The women’s tennis team followed close behind with a 3.55, as well as the women’s basketball team with a 3.40.

Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Col. Bill Kaler said, “They [UTM Athletics Department] have made a lot of improvements over the years in their athletics and in the classroom.” He added that they have been recruiting good academics as a whole and that he thought the Athletics Department could stack up against any group on campus.