In social terms, the words “greek” and “geek” couldn’t be further apart.

But for members of the University of Oregon Greek Community, grades are a higher priority than you might expect.

“Our fraternity organizations are dedicated to academic excellence because of the personal and intellectual growth that accompanies education and diligent work,” Morgan Plew, president of UO Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Panhellenic Council said. “We also strive to provide academic support to our members since being a student is first priority.”

Each term, a ranking of the top fraternities and sororities is created to show which chapters rose to the occasion in terms of academic achievement. Fall 2013 term rankings for UO FSL were released early this month.

Topping the list for Sororities with a 3.29 cumulative GPA is Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically African American sorority with only three members at the UO.

“It may seem like it’s easy (to get good grades) because there are only three people, but there is a lot of pressure because if one person has a bad term it brings us down a lot,” Lauren Wilson, president of UO’s Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter said.

Coming in first place for Fraternities was Alpha Epsilon Pi, with an average GPA of 3.2.

“We have been working hard to raise our grades, hold brothers accountable and give them opportunities to study,” Alpha Epsilon Pi’s President Sam Gutin said.

Gutin says that the fraternity holds their members to a high standard by making sure they know the consequences if they do not meet minimum grade requirements.

“Basically, if a brother does not make grades, they are then contacted by our academics chair,” Gutin said. “They cannot go to social events like functions or registered parties. There is an appeals process where they can come in half way through the term and show us if they are doing well and we will consider lifting it.”

Both fraternities and sororities are under pressure on a national level to ensure that they live up to academic standards.

“We have to answer to national headquarters for grades and also the school for status on campus,” Wilson said.

According to Fall 2013′s Grade Ranking Report, Fraternity and Sorority Life holds an average GPA of 3.06.

Other fraternities that topped the list were Delta Tau Delta, coming in second among fraternities, Sigma Chi, following in third, and Sigma Nu in fourth.

For sororities, Sigma Mu Omega came in second, Chi Omega in third, and Alpha Phi in fourth.

Fraternity Rankings:

1. Alpha Epsilon Pi (3.2)
2. Delta Tau Delta (3.16)
3. Sigma Chi (3.16)
4. Sigma Nu (3.12)
5. Lambda Chi Alpha (3.09)
6. Beta Theta Pi (3.06)
7. Sigma Alpha Epsilon (3.02)
7. Sigma Phi Epsilon (3.02)
9. Pi Kappa Phi (3.01)
10. Phi Gamma Delta (3.01)
11. Phi Kappa Psi (2.99)
12. Phi Delta Theta (2.99)
12. Sigma Pi (2.99)
14. Delta Sigma Phi (2.96)
15. Chi Psi (2.91)
16. Kappa Sigma (2.69)
17. Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. (2.67)

Sorority Rankings:

1. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. (3.29)
2. Sigma Mu Omega (3.22)
3. Chi Omega (3.22)
4. Alpha Phi (3.15)
5. Kappa Alpha Theta (3.15)
6. Delta Gamma (3.12)
7. Pi Beta Phi (3.12)
8. Kappa Delta (3.12)
9. Alpha Chi Omega (3.09)
10. Kappa Kappa Gamma (3.07)
11. Gamma Phi Beta (3.05)
12. Delta Delta Delta (3.04)