1. Alex Theodos
April 23​rd​
, 2007
Behavioral Modification Final Report
I feel I must say that this project was simply developed out of what I felt was the right
thing for the group. The position that I hold in the fraternity is based on the fact that I
was voted in and I felt that I was best Qualified for it. In no way did I alter or change my
stance on anything or do anything without the group’s approval for the sake of my
project. The fraternity’s grades were and still are my primary concern. It was just
coincidence that it made for a behavioral modification project that was much better than
the project that I was previously doing. As a matter of fact this paper is written in
hindsight rather than recording all along. I would also like to add that I felt
uncomfortable doing this assignment and would not have attempted it if it were not for
Dr. Fisks approval.
1.​ The​ goal​ of my behavioral Modification project was to improve the overall G.P.A. of
the members of my fraternity. The ​target​ ​behavior​ that I wished to change was
increasing the overall hours and quality of study time by all members of the fraternity.
Initially there was a previous structure in place for Standards/Scholarships Board. The
Program ​was based on a negative and positive punishment schedule. It was based on
fines, mandatory study halls, and formal reprimands. Since I did not have the necessary
procedures in place at the time I decided to go with what was already in place until I
could figure out a way to change to a more positive approach.

2.
2.​ ​Baseline information​ includes a fraternity fall term G.P.A. of 2.18 for all actives and
pledges and for actives it was 2.4 Based on the information that I received when taking
on the position. I feel comfortable sharing these statistics because it is published
information that anyone could receive from the university, more specifically Josh Curtin.
The members that had below a certain G.P.A. were reprimanded, sent to study hall, and
fined for there grades and also for any non­participation in study hall. Study Hall met 2
Days a week.
3.​ In the ​results​ section I am going to be a little vague. This is because I am
uncomfortable breaking confidentiality of the members. I will start with when I took over
the position.
Week One​­ Many members did not show. I did however meet with many individuals to
assist them with their study habits.
Week Two​­ I asserted the necessity of making the study halls and a few more people
showed. Once again I met with certain individuals that were receptive to receiving help.

3.
Week Three​­ I called all members to discover their where they were and why they did
not attend. Many made up erroneous stories, at least in my opinion. Although I was
previously opposed to the idea I decided to start fining. This was met with much hostility
and many people refused to pay. Even though I fined them I never actually collected it
because members were purposely did not have the money when I was around, and I did
not feel that it would make a significant difference. Although in the future I am sure that
these members are responsible to pay these fines, I do not feel that it is appropriate.
Week Four​­ I decided that I was tired of hearing excuses of why people did not show to
study hall. I asked them where they were. After driving to find them, I caught many of
them in a lie. I did not feel it appropriate to confront them at that time. I realized that
although there has been a long standing tradition of punishment for modifying the
behaviors of the members, I decided it needed to change.
In the following weeks​­ Many activities such as sports and other things were scheduled
during my study hours without my prior knowledge. Even when there were no activities
occurring, members became less and less willing to show up. Some even caught
resentments towards my perceived authority over them.

4. 4. Readjustments​­ I stopped calling to remind them because they are adults and need to
take responsibility for there own successes and failures. I stopped attending many of the
study halls. This is due to the fact that support was not there for the meetings and I had
other obligations to attend to. Although, I felt this way I still believed it to be my
responsibility to help the brothers out in some way. I started calling different alumni and
talking to various people to find out the best way to change to something more like a
positive reinforcement schedule. I met with half a dozen people on campus to organize a
fundraiser in collaboration with two party­light vendors for the fraternity to help to put
into effect a new plan.
5. Conclusion­​ There was some overall improvement in grades. I consider the
improvement to be temporary. Depending on who has the position of Standards
/Scholarship Board, the program may or may not be effective. I still met with those that
asked when I had time. I noticed that the people that I let up on, (by that I mean calling
them, monitoring there progress, and making them meet with me individually), there test
grades appeared to slip back to their initial mark even with my encouragement for them
to study and offering them assistance. In general punishment usually causes a decrease in
behavior until the person who exacts such punishments no longer enforces it. I genuinely
care about these individuals and was attempting to find ways to encourage them and at
the same time not ostracize myself from the group. As previously stated there needs to be
more of a positive reinforcement schedule in place.

5. 6.​ ​Maintenance­ ​I would like to have numerous fundraisers and start a trust­fund that
will ensure the continued growth and educational development of the members. I would
also like to establish a long­lasting plan that will ensure the success of future members.
7. Improvements­ ​I wish to establish a scholarship program that would benefit all
members of the fraternity who strive to do their best. Some of the plans that I have are to
have scholarships for all brothers who get a 3.0.. I would also like to have scholarships
for all new members to help them with the costs associated with joining an organization. I
would like to see the top several G.P.A.’s get an award. I also believe that the members
with the best overall turnaround should also be rewarded for there efforts. I would like to
see things such as door­prizes that are given out to the members that attend study halls. I
have also contacted several alumni who are willing to offer scholarships in their name
and once I get on my feet I plan to do the same. Lastly, I feel that it is important to
establish buddy systems throughout the fraternity so that people with similar classes can
come together and help one another succeed. This section is meant to be for
improvements after the completion of the behavioral modification project. However, my
involvement in this fraternity and my actions to help improve the overall quality of its
members is far from over.