chapter houses while maintaining active chapters. These shifts threaten the traditional residential experience that has long defined sorority life on many campuses. Alpha Phi’s Approach Our preparedness creates both opportunity and responsibility. Each Alpha Phi chapter operates within a unique campus environment, shaped by enrollment trends, institutional growth and local conditions. Our challenge is twofold: supporting vulnerable chapters in declining markets while also helping growing chapters expand effectively. Meeting this moment requires flexibility — developing adaptable models for varying chapter sizes and exploring innovative housing solutions that respond to changing occupancy needs, while remaining grounded in our values. Moving Forward Together Individual alumnae play a crucial role in navigating this transition. Your support matters now more than ever. Volunteering with a local chapter or house corporation board, paying alumnae dues to provide essential financial resources and sharing positive Alpha Phi experiences, both online and within your communities, all strengthen our collective ability to support chapters through this period of change.
The Enrollment Cliff Beginning in 2025, colleges and universities experienced what is known as the enrollment cliff, a sharp decline in the number of college-aged students resulting from lower birthrates following the 2008 financial crisis. This decline is expected to peak in 2025 and 2026. Thanks to a decade of preparation that began in 2012, Alpha Phi chapters and house corporations are entering this period from a position of relative financial strength. However, the broader Panhellenic community has already felt the impact, with 190 National Panhellenic Conference chapter closures over the past decade, a trend that underscores the urgency of thoughtful planning. Two Critical Impacts Shrinking Panhellenic Communities Even financially healthy Alpha Phi chapters are affected when their Panhellenic communities shrink. Fewer NPC sororities on campus can mean reduced membership, fewer shared financial resources and a diminished collective presence, often leading to decreased student interest and a loss of overall community strength. The Housing Challenge While many Alpha Phi house corporations maintain strong reserves, declining occupancy rates will eventually create pressure when numbers fall below original mortgage assumptions. Some NPC organizations have already sold
Every alumna’s engagement helps ensure Alpha Phi continues to thrive, now and into the future.
With Gratitude As this season of reflection comes to a close, we pause to say thank you. Thank you to our members for your continued support of Alpha Phi and bringing our ideals to life each day. Thank you to our volunteers for your generosity of time, energy and heart. Your service strengthens our sisterhood in ways both seen and unseen. Thank you to our dues-paying alumnae members for continuing to invest in the future of our Fraternity and the women who will follow in your footsteps. Thank you to the 1872 Properties Board for your commitment to ensuring Alpha Phi housing remains competitive and supportive of the member experience. And thank you to the Alpha Phi Foundation Board for your leadership and dedication to advancing the Foundation’s mission. Because of you, Alpha Phi enters the seasons ahead grounded in strength, guided by purpose and ready to continue growing, hand in hand.
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