For many of us, our collegiate chapter was more than just a place—it was home. The place where we built lifelong friendships, developed leadership skills, and experienced the true meaning of sisterhood. So, when your chapter closes—whether due to low membership, campus decisions, or other circumstances—it can feel devastating. It might even feel like a piece of your identity as a Phi Mu has been lost.

But here’s the truth: The closing of your chapter doesn’t mean the end of your Phi Mu journey. Your sisterhood is far bigger than a single chapter, and your identity as a Phi Mu is lifelong, no matter what happens to your collegiate chapter. It’s important to recognize that even though this part of your journey has ended, your connection to Phi Mu doesn’t have to disappear. Let’s talk about how to process the emotions of losing your chapter, how to stay connected, and how to keep Phi Mu close to your heart, even without a physical chapter to return to.

Allow Yourself to Grieve the Loss

Losing your collegiate chapter can feel like losing a piece of yourself. It’s not just about the physical space—it’s about the memories, the friendships, and the identity that came with being part of something special. It’s natural to feel sadness, anger, or confusion when your chapter closes, and it’s important to let yourself grieve that loss.

Grief can come in many forms, whether it’s missing the camaraderie of chapter life, feeling a sense of disappointment over how things ended, or simply mourning the fact that future generations of women on your campus won’t get to experience your chapter. These feelings are valid, and it’s okay to take the time to process them.

How to Embrace the Grieving Process:

• Acknowledge your emotions—it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. Let yourself process the loss without judgment.
• Reach out to your Phi Mu sisters who are experiencing the same loss. Talking about the chapter’s closure and sharing memories can be a helpful way to heal together.

Remember That You’re Still a Phi Mu—Always

Even though your chapter has closed, your status as a Phi Mu will never change. Phi Mu is for life, and the values, friendships, and experiences that shaped you remain a part of who you are. Whether your chapter is active or not, you are still part of a national sisterhood that spans generations and locations.

The closing of a chapter doesn’t erase the bonds you formed, the lessons you learned, or the love, honor, and truth that Phi Mu represents. You are—and will always be—a Phi Mu.

How to Embrace Your Lifelong Membership:

• Reconnect with Phi Mu’s values—love, honor, and truth are the foundation of our sisterhood. Reflect on how these values still guide your life today.
• Remind yourself that Phi Mu is bigger than one chapter—you’re part of a much larger sisterhood that extends far beyond your college experience.

Stay Connected Through the National Network

When your collegiate chapter closes, it can feel like you’ve lost your direct link to Phi Mu. But the beauty of our organization is that it’s nationwide and full of alumnae chapters, events, and ways to stay involved. Even if your collegiate chapter is no longer active, you can still stay connected to the sisterhood through Phi Mu’s broader network.

From joining a local alumnae chapter to attending national conventions or supporting Phi Mu Foundation, there are plenty of ways to continue your involvement and strengthen your bond with Phi Mu. Many alumnae find that getting involved in a new way helps them maintain a sense of connection and purpose, even when their collegiate chapter is no longer part of the equation.

How to Stay Connected:

• Join an alumnae chapter in your area to meet other Phi Mu sisters and stay engaged with the sisterhood.
• Attend national events like Phi Mu Convention, where you can reconnect with sisters from across the country and celebrate our shared values.
• Stay involved with Phi Mu Foundation or volunteer with the Fraternity to stay connected to sisters all over the country.

Reconnect with Sisters on Your Own Terms

Just because your chapter has closed doesn’t mean the relationships you built during your collegiate years are lost. Now is the time to take the initiative to reconnect with your sisters on your own terms. Whether it’s setting up reunions, creating group chats, or organizing virtual meetups, you can still nurture the friendships that Phi Mu gave you—regardless of whether your chapter is active.

Even if you’ve lost touch with some sisters over the years, the shared bond of Phi Mu makes it easy to pick up where you left off. Sometimes, a simple text or social media message is all it takes to rekindle those connections and remind yourself of the lifelong relationships you’ve built.

How to Reconnect with Sisters:

• Set up yearly reunions or virtual hangouts with your closest sisters to keep the spirit of your chapter alive.
• Reach out to sisters you’ve lost touch with—sometimes, a quick message or call can reignite friendships and remind you that Phi Mu is always a part of your life.

Find New Ways to Honor Your Chapter’s Legacy

Even though your chapter is no longer active, its legacy lives on through the women who were part of it—including you. You carry the values, traditions, and memories of your chapter with you, and there are ways to honor that legacy even after the chapter’s doors have closed.

Consider finding ways to keep your chapter’s memory alive. Whether it’s setting up an annual service project with your fellow alumnae sisters, or even something as simple as continuing to wear your Phi Mu letters, there are many ways to ensure that your chapter’s impact is never forgotten.

How to Honor Your Chapter’s Legacy:

• Create an annual philanthropy or service project with your alumnae sisters to continue the work your chapter started.
• Continue to wear your Phi Mu letters with pride as a reminder of the sisterhood that shaped you.

Focus on What Phi Mu Gave You—And Still Gives You

It’s easy to focus on the loss when a chapter closes, but it’s just as important to remember all that Phi Mu has given you. The friendships, leadership skills, and values that shaped you during your collegiate years are still very much a part of who you are today. Those experiences didn’t end when the chapter closed—they live on through you.

Phi Mu is more than just a physical chapter—it’s a set of values and a sisterhood that continues to grow with you throughout your life. Reflect on what Phi Mu gave you during your time in college and how those gifts continue to serve you now.

How to Focus on Phi Mu’s Ongoing Impact:

• Reflect on the skills and values you gained through Phi Mu and how they’ve helped you in your personal and professional life.
• Celebrate the lifelong friendships that Phi Mu gave you and the ways those relationships have supported you beyond college.

Phi Mu is Bigger Than One Chapter

When your collegiate chapter closes, it can feel like a profound loss. But remember, Phi Mu is so much bigger than one chapter. The sisterhood you were part of, the values you carry, and the friendships you built don’t end when the chapter doors close—they continue with you for the rest of your life.

By reconnecting with the larger Phi Mu network, staying involved in ways that feel meaningful to you, and honoring the legacy of your chapter, you can keep the spirit of Phi Mu alive in your heart. You are, and always will be, a Phi Mu sister. And no matter where life takes you, the bond of love, honor, and truth will always be there to guide you.