A resolution adopted by the Student Association last semester regarding grade point average requirements for Syracuse University academic and competitive scholarship students has received the official blessing of Dean Christopher Walsh of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs.

The resolution advised the office to raise the minimum GPA required for students to maintain their scholarship from 2.5 to 2.75 out of 4.0, and they will have three semesters to achieve that level. The new requirements will begin for incoming students in fall 2007.

A need-based appeal fund would also be created for students who experience sudden financial need or struggle financially. Money for that would come from students’ scholarships that were not renewed.

Though the announcement of the resolution’s enactment came within the past few days, SA Academic Affairs Committee Chair Joe Wieder said he was alerted to the office’s intentions in August.

‘The last 10 years, the university has become more academically well-known throughout the nation and the world,’ thereby making it necessary to improve the school’s standards, Wieder said.

The old requirement had been active for about 26 years, Wieder said.

‘A lot of research went into seeing what other universities’ policies were,’ he said.

After finding many other schools that had requirements higher than SU, the resolution was presented to and approved by SA in March.

SA Director of Public Relations Bobby Patrick VI said the new requirement will benefit both SU and academic and competitive scholarship students.

‘It makes (students) work harder, gives them a better work ethic,’ he said. ‘It helps the school out, too, because it reflects better in rankings.’

SA is working on other resolutions for this semester, including one advising that SA Assembly or Finance Board members be present ‘at all student fee events, in order to help expedite and improve the budgeting process,’ Patrick said.

The resolution was well-received by most people Wieder talked to, he said, and he is ‘thrilled’ that it has been enacted.

‘When I presented the issue, everyone recognized it as a problem,’ Wieder said.

It shows students can make a difference on campus and inspires other individuals on campus to become more active, Wieder said.

Published on September 6, 2006 at 12:00 pm