Alpha Chi Omega and Phi Mu to Join University of Arkansas Greek Life

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In fall 2012, two National Panhellenic Council sororities, Alpha Chi Omega and Phi Mu, will be returning to the University of Arkansas campus. The university’s Panhellenic Council voted unanimously on Feb. 23 to re-colonize the two chapters.

“There is excitement and a true sense of rejuvenation within the Panhellenic community right now,” said Leah Nichols, Panhellenic president. 

Both sororities were chosen based upon their signature programming themes that focus on exceptional educational initiatives, including a true commitment to providing long-term support for the new colonies on the university campus as well as their commitment to provide strong alumnae support and development.  

“It is always an honor for our extension team to work to bring back a closed Phi Mu chapter,” said Andie Kash, vice president of communications and extension for Phi Mu. “We are looking forward to working with the campus community to bring Phi Mu back to campus.”

National representatives from both groups will be on campus in the coming weeks to begin conversations with the university regarding public relations and marketing efforts for fall recruitment.

“Alpha Chi Omega is honored and overjoyed to have been invited to join the vibrant and growing Panhellenic community at the University of Arkansas. During our visits to campus, we were very impressed with the spirit of community among the Panhellenic leadership and the forward-looking vision of the university's administrators in preparing to bring two new sororities to campus,” said Marsha King Grady, national president of Alpha Chi Omega.

Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., in 1885. It will re-colonize its Delta Rho chapter. Phi Mu was founded in 1852 at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Ga. Phi Mu will re-colonize their Alpha Beta chapter. In February the Panhellenic Extension Committee voted to invite both of these sororities back to the University of Arkansas. The committee was composed of undergraduate and alumnae representatives from the eight existing sororities.

The decision to add new sororities was initially approved in November 2011 in response to the increased membership growth in the existing eight chapters. Last fall, the announcement was made to all National Panhellenic Conference organizations, and the university received eight applications from interested sororities. The Panhellenic Extension Committee, composed of undergraduate and alumnae representatives from each of the existing sororities, then formed to review materials and invited five groups to make formal presentations to the campus. 

“Our ultimate goal is to work to reduce the average chapter size of 300 women and provide our chapters with an opportunity to create more intentional bonding experiences for their members,” said Parice S. Bowser, director of Greek Life at the University of Arkansas. “This has been a long time coming, and we are truly excited about this opportunity to have Phi Mu and Alpha Chi Omega a part of our Razorback family!