NIU’s fraternity and sorority system might be changing from a social to an educational extreme, but its members appear supportive of the changes.

“I have noticed more emphasis on getting grades up and keeping them up since I’ve been here,” said Karen Wojkowski, a junior special education major from the Delta Zeta sorority.

“The national chapters are putting the emphasis less on parties,” said Larry Burkhart, a junior biology major from Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

Burkhart said there still is time for socializing but the emphasis on studies usually keeps greek students’ grades from suffering.

Dawn Sturma, University Programming and Activities greek adviser, said last semester’s average all-sorority grade point average was about 2.8, with 60 percent of the sororities’ grade point averages at or above that.

The number was similar for NIU’s fraternities. Sturma said seven of the 15 fraternities had GPAs at or above 2.5 last semester.

Further proof of the system’s evolvement, Wojkowski said, is Phi Sigma Kappa’s ban on pledging, which officials said is a way to curb hazing. “It’s more relaxed,” she said.

However, Keith Waltrip, pledge marshall for the Sigma Nu fraternity, said he does not think Sigma Nu will ban pledging. Without it, “new people don’t know about the house” and can’t take on leadership roles, he said.

Waltrip, a junior communications major, said he stresses the importance of grades even to new pledges. In his eyes, pledges seem satisfied with the system, he said.

Waltrip said one disadvantage of being part of greek life is the stereotype that members join in order to find friends.

But, Waltrip said, “I joined as a sophomore and I haven’t changed (since becoming greek) except to be able to stand up for myself.”