The University of South Dakota’s Sigma Nu chapter was closed down indefinitely in late December said Sigma Nu Director of Risk Reduction Fred Dobry.
Dobry said a perpetual lack of finances and recruitment led to the Sigma Nu Board of Director’s decision to close the USD chapter.
“The chapter has had problems in the past with finances and manpower, problems that the national chapter has attempted to resolve over the past 18 months,” Dobry said. “Unfortunately, despite these efforts, we saw little improvement and the decision to shut it down had to be made.”
Dobry said discussions within the national chapter have begun, but a timeline to re-establish a Sigma Nu chapter on the campus of USD has not been.
“We regret the decision to close down the Sigma Nu chapter at (USD). The university has a strong Greek life, and the chapter has always had a strong, proud alumni base,” Dobry said. “That being said, we look forward to the opportunity of working towards rebuilding the chapter in the future.”
Assistant director of Student Life Amber Groh worked closely with Dobry and the national chapter to help reestablish the Sigma Nu chapter at USD.
Groh said members of Sigma Nu residing in the home on East Main Street have been forced to move out, but that the university was willing to accommodate any members searching for alternative housing.
“All members that have come forward to the university looking for housing have been placed on campus,” Groh said.
The last time a fraternity chapter was forced to close down at USD was Alpha Tau Omega in 2003.
While the national Sigma Nu chapter has been closed down indefinitely, Groh said the fraternity left on good terms with the university and, when the time comes, conversations can be made for its return to campus.
“(Sigma Nu) was not asked to leave by (USD) and they are not on probation or in any trouble with the university,” Groh said. “So, in the future, the chapter would have an excellent opportunity to come back to campus.”
Groh said chapters typically wait four to five years to return to a university, as the process of gathering members and an advisory board can be a strenuous task.
As for the vacated Sigma Nu house, its fate will be decided by Sigma Nu’s house corporation board.
