Pi Beta Phi Facility at Willamette University to Close
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women announces the closure of the facility at its Oregon Gamma Chapter at Willamette University, effective the end of the Fall 2020 semester. Low occupancy was illustrating a negative future financial impact on member affordability and chapter finances. Working in partnership with the university, Pi Beta Phi has determined closure of the facility to be the most responsible decision for the chapter and students.
“The decision to close a chapter facility, especially one that has had such an impact on the lives of so many Pi Beta Phi members, is not one that is taken lightly,” Grand President Marla Neelly Wulf said. “Closing the chapter house will allow for Oregon Gamma to continue operating without the challenges presented by facility management.”
Although Pi Beta Phi members will no longer reside in the chapter house, the Oregon Gamma Chapter is not closing. Members will continue to operate as an unhoused chapter, with support from the Fraternity and Willamette University staff.
About Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women: Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois, Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. Pi Beta Phi has more than 300,000 initiated members, and has installed more than 200 collegiate chapters and nearly 300 alumnae clubs worldwide. The Fraternity believes in the power of reading and through its philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve®, promotes a lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential.
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Published: October 12, 2020
For information please contact:
Shawn Eagleburger
Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives
seagleburger@pibetaphi.org
“The decision to close a chapter facility, especially one that has had such an impact on the lives of so many Pi Beta Phi members, is not one that is taken lightly,” Grand President Marla Neelly Wulf said. “Closing the chapter house will allow for Oregon Gamma to continue operating without the challenges presented by facility management.”
Although Pi Beta Phi members will no longer reside in the chapter house, the Oregon Gamma Chapter is not closing. Members will continue to operate as an unhoused chapter, with support from the Fraternity and Willamette University staff.
About Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women: Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois, Pi Beta Phi promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. Pi Beta Phi has more than 300,000 initiated members, and has installed more than 200 collegiate chapters and nearly 300 alumnae clubs worldwide. The Fraternity believes in the power of reading and through its philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve®, promotes a lifelong love of reading that can unlock true potential.
###
Published: October 12, 2020
For information please contact:
Shawn Eagleburger
Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives
seagleburger@pibetaphi.org