By Elizabeth Bunnell

For the first time in eight years, the University of Arkansas welcomed a new Panhellenic Council sorority to campus. Alpha Phi will become the 12th sorority chapter at the U of A. 

Many chapters have been reestablished over the past few years, such as Delta Gamma and Alpha Chi Omega, but Alpha Omicron Pi was the last sorority to be completely new to the campus in 2006. 

“By adding a new sorority so many doors can open for new Greek life members. Our community is very close and very supportive of other chapters on campus, and adding a new sorority will create an even stronger community and spread Panhellenic love,”Abby George, a sophomore Kappa Delta member, said. 

According to the UA Greeks website, “31% of students on the U of A campus are members of a Greek-lettered organization.” 

In 2004, Greek life consisted of 2,800 members. Now there are more than 9,200 students involved in a Greek organization. 

Parice Shantele Bowser, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Greek Life and Associate Dean of Students, described Greek life at the University of Arkansas as “vibrant and the best in the country.” Bowser accepted the role of Assistant Vice Chancellor of Greek life in May 2021, but has been working in the Greek life office since 2004.

Plans to add another sorority chapter have been in the works for a long time.

“In 2012, Alpha Phi expressed interest in joining a community and explored our campus,” Bowser said. “They have the financial resources to support a new chapter, as well as building a new facility.”

Bowser explained there are plans for Alpha Phi to build a house on University land on the corner of Maple Street and Wilson Street.

“As an Alpha Phi legacy I also think it’s really exciting to see what amazing philanthropic events and work they will do for our campus and Northwest Arkansas,” George said.

Alpha Phi’s national philanthropy is dedicated to supporting women’s heart health. The new chapter will create events and fundraising opportunities to support this mission. 

Sorority recruitment will look different in the Fall of 2024 with the addition of a new sorority. Recruitment consists of four rounds, Open House, Sisterhood, Philanthropy, and Preference,  that Potential New Members (PNMs) go through to receive a bid over the course of a week. As each round progresses PNMs visit fewer houses, on Preference round they only attend two houses. 

“Alpha Phi will participate in Formal Recruitment to introduce themselves to potential new members. From there, they will drop out of the recruitment process,” Bowser said. “Immediately following Bid Day, they will begin a recruitment process to actively recruit students to join their organization to fully establish a chapter here on the University of Arkansas campus.”

Recruitment at the U of A typically consists of over 2,000 girls aiming to get a bid from one of eleven houses, now twelve. Recruitment at the University of Alabama contains around the same number of PNMs, but instead has 18 panhellenic sorority chapters. 

“Going into sorority recruitment at the University of Arkansas with very little familiarity with Greek Life, I was surprised to learn how competitive the process truly is,” Georgia Peters, a sophomore Tri Delta member, said. “Even more so, after participating in recruitment as a member of my sorority, I saw how intricate and involved the behind the scenes process from a whole new perspective.” 

Bowser explained it was a unanimous decision amongst all of the sorority chapters on campus to establish Alpha Phi at the U of A. 

“I think adding a new sorority to campus is an amazing idea. Fall recruitment is such a big event at the University of Arkansas and I think many girls coming into recruitment have certain ideas about each chapter,” George said. “By adding a new sorority there’s a blank slate that girls can really look forward to being a part of.”

George explained Greek life at the U of A is different than other schools because there is a collaborative and loving community. 

“I think across all Greek chapters we respect and appreciate one another for what we bring to campus,” George said.

Bowser encouraged students to join Greek life because of the community and opportunities it provides.

“We are committed to academic excellence, offer a sense of belonging along with unlimited sisterhood and brotherhood experiences, our councils and chapters provide numerous leadership development and career readiness opportunities that will only enhance their lives, and prepare them for their life after college,” Bowser said. 

At the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association conference on Feb. 24 and 25 Arkansas received the “Community of the Year Award.” 

“This huge achievement truly demonstrates that our hard work is worth it. This is what student success is all about and why UA Greek Life is such a vibrant and national award-winning community,” Bowser said.