The University of Richmond Pi Beta Phi Virginia Eta Chapter will close on April 13, 2025, 37 years after its founding.
In an email sent to UR chapter members on Jan. 31 by Pi Beta Phi Nationals and signed by Lisa Gamel Scott, Grand President of Pi Beta Phi, which the Collegian obtained, Scott announced that the chapter’s charter would be suspended.
“It is with a heavy heart I share with you that Grand Council has made the difficult decision to revoke the charter of the Virginia Eta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi,” the email said. “Effective April 13, 2025, the chapter will close.”
The email goes on to outline the criteria that led to the decision to close the chapter, including the chapter's small member class, vacant leadership positions and their inability to participate in the 2025 recruitment cycle.
“Once a chapter of nearly 125 members, Virginia Eta was left with only five,” the email said. “And despite dedicated efforts, the chapter has not been able to recover to a sustainable level of operation.”
The suspension comes after concerns raised in 2020 and July 2023, when Pi Phi received a letter from Ana Mancebo Miller, Grand Vice President Alumnae, in which she raised concerns about the chapter's waning numbers and extended the organization's probation period.
“As a reminder, Virginia Eta was placed on Probation in Fall 2020 due to concerns about the chapter’s small size and changing climate on the University of Richmond’s campus,” Miller wrote. “At this time, Virginia Eta remains on Probation, and the chapter’s charter continues to be in jeopardy.”
Each member was able to provide input before the Grand Council voted on Pi Phi’s charter revocation.
“Through that discussion, it became clear many Virginia Eta members did not believe they could meet basic operational obligations and provide a positive member experience,” Scott wrote in the email.
Hunter Bonton, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, confirmed Pi Phi’s closure and stated the chapter will remain active holding sisterhood and social events until their closure date, in an email obtained by the Collegian.
Bonton expressed lament over the closure of the chapter and gratitude for the memories the chapter will leave.
“Pi Beta Phi has played a valued role in the University of Richmond community, fostering lifelong connections among its members,” Bonton said in the email. “We appreciate their lasting impact and the legacy they will leave behind.”
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Members of Pi Phi were asked to comment but said that they were unable to answer media requests at this time.
Contact Managing Editor Andrea Padilla at andrea.padilla@richmond.edu
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