The Office of Student Life and directors of ACU social clubs have approved new policies for the pledging process that will take effect in the fall.

One of the biggest changes will be the time clubs are allowed to spend with the pledges each week. The clubs will now be required to take at least one day off a week during pledging. In addition to the extra day off, clubs will also have to cut back on the number of hours spent doing pledging activities. Previously, the clubs had been allowed a 15-hour weekly maximum. That number has been reduced to 12 hours a week to give pledges and club members a lighter workload during the pledging process, said Mauri Westbrook, director of student organizations and activities.

“We cut back on the hours because it can be a pretty busy time for pledges and current members,” Westbrook said. “With less hours a week, it should make it easier on everyone.”

Tyler Howell, junior business marketing major from Tyler and president of Galaxy, said the reduction won’t be that noticeable.

“I know a lot of clubs didn’t even spend all 15 hours a week during pledging,” Howell said. “So I don’t think taking out three hours will affect anyone too much.”

Along with changes to the hours, the GPA requirements for pledges have changed. Students will be required to maintain a 2.5 GPA to pledge, while continuing club members must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 – as opposed to the previous 2.5 requirement – the minimum  to remain in academic good standing with the university, Westbrook said.

Howell said he believes the change in GPA will be a good thing for all clubs.

“I think the GPA requirements will actually bring more people to come and pledge,” Howell said. “It should give them one less thing to worry about when pledging.”

Westbrook said student feedback was – and continues to be – an important factor in making policy changes.

“I think the students appreciated that we listen to them and want to hear what works and what needs improvement,” she said. “The students know there are still some things that need to be improved on. Now that we’ve made these changes, we will continue to keep reviewing them and make sure they are working for the social clubs.”