The Alpha Omicron Chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma, better known as Tri Sigma, was suspended from UCA’s campus on May 10. 

The National Organization released a statement saying, “… the Alpha Omicron Chapter worked hard to remain competitive on campus. Despite these attempts … the chapter has been unable to overcome a continued decline in membership and retention.” 

Tri Sigma left UCA’s campus with housing debts that are yet to be repaid. According to Director of Media Relations Fredricka Sharkey, “UCA is working with the national organization to have the debt repaid.”

UCA was willing to work with the chapter to fulfill those housing debts to have the chapter remain active, but the Executive Council of the National Organization decided against it. 

If the debt is not repaid by the organization, the funds will come out of UCA’s housing revenue. Whether or not this will cause an increase in housing costs for students is yet to be seen. 

Each sorority house on campus must have a certain number of members living in it to pay for the costs, but with a steady decline in membership, the sorority was unable to fulfill those requirements. 

The Office of Student Life, volunteer advisors, the Panhellenic Council and the National Organization worked with the chapter to try and boost recruitment numbers, but their efforts were not enough to keep the chapter active. 

The National Organization said, “Coupled with the chapter’s current housing debt, this ultimately hindered the chapter’s ability to provide a positive experience for its members and remain viable.” 

Now that the chapter is leaving, UCA “will begin exploring the option to add a new sorority through the National Panhellenic Conference Extension process, but this process will take time and there are no immediate plans for a new sorority to start,” Sharkey said. 

Until a new sorority comes to UCA’s campus, the Tri Sigma house will be used as a housing facility for upper-class female students. 

This will not have a major effect on recruitment, only minor adjustments will be made to round schedules, according to Sharkey. This leaves the future recruits with only four panhellenic sororities to choose from – Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Zeta and Sigma Kappa. 

The National Organization said, “Though we are saddened by this outcome, we are grateful for the collegians and volunteers who have shown commitment and dedication during Tri Sigma’s history at UCA.”

Each member of Tri Sigma in good standing with the chapter at the time of the suspension received alumna status from the organization.