Wheaton’s Student Government Association (SGA) changed GPA requirements for participation to ensure that members meet certain academic standards on campus.
In January 2026, Rory Flynn ’28, Chair of the Academic Advocacy Council, presented the idea of raising the minimum GPA required to participate in SGA.
“I think that this GPA change is more of a technical change to our bylaws to better reflect the standards student leaders should hold themselves to. The proposal aligns SGA with other student leadership positions (RAs, etc).”
Initially, the minimum GPA allowed was 2.0. It will now increase to 2.5. This change was caused by “aims to address the absence of any actual academic standard for SGA members by establishing a higher minimum GPA requirement for SGA membership,” per Flynn’s proposal. Similarly, being an RA requires the same GPA, so a slightly higher minimum GPA is common practice.
SGA states, in their proposal, that there are two benefits: establishing certain academic standards for SGA membership and reducing workload for members who are struggling. Those who are struggling with a GPA of less than 1.672.0 would benefit from leaving their position to ensure that they are in good academic standing in the future.
Wheaton’s “Satisfactory Academic Progress” webpage states how “Wheaton’s satisfactory academic progress policy requires that students must meet the 2.0 cumulative GPA required for graduation by the completion of their second year. Until that time, a minimum GPA of 1.67 must be maintained.”
Changing the minimum GPA requirement ensures that SGA members remain in good academic standing, on track for graduation, and eligible for other campus positions.