Greek life at South Dakota State looks slightly different this fall following the disbandment of the CERES Women’s Fraternity.
CERES focused on building qualities of leadership, meaningful fellowship and a desire for scholastic achievement. As an agricultural women’s fraternity, their values were in rural environments and offering a sisterhood to women with an appreciation of agriculture.
Prior to the disbandment, the group visited farmers’ markets, gardens, farms, and labs around the Brookings area. On campus, they participated in Ag Day, Hobo Day, Little International and other agriculture-related events. Additionally, they partnered with FarmHouse Fraternity, their brother fraternity, in an FFA Burger Feed.
The closure of the SDSU CERES chapter coincides closely with the CERES International closing.
With structural changes in recruitment on a national level across all Panhellenic sororities, CERES numbers suffered greatly. Just a year ago, the chapter received no new members during the fall semester. However, this was not unusual for their typical semesters, when they only received one or two.
Due to challenges in recruiting and handling the financial burdens of an on-campus house for members, the active members had to make a tough decision.
“Handling the disbandment was hard at first because I wanted to see CERES thrive with more members, but I knew it was the right thing to do since, internally, things were going downhill, and we did not have the mental and financial capacity to continue being a part of CERES,” former President said. “I did not want to put the chapter in a position where we were all left hanging.”
The former CERES house in SDSU Greek Village is now under a rental agreement between the State College Development Association and PIKE Fraternity. CERES Housing Corporation worked with SDSU Student Affairs to find tenants for the facility within the Greek Life community, and PIKE moved into the facility in May.
Property management responsibility was transferred from the CERES Housing Corporation to the State College Development Association on Sept. 15, 2024.
The local CERES Association, composed of CERES alumni and associate members, remains an active organization. In accordance with the bylaws, the association holds in trust the remaining chapter funds after any outstanding debts are paid for five years with the intent of reestablishing a chapter.
“Since CERES International Fraternity is closing, the local CERES Association is already exploring options for re-establishing a local CERES Chapter or affiliating with another national or international women’s fraternal council,” Angela Loftesness, CERES alumni and past advisor said.
The five remaining active women went to their advisors and alumni association board to determine the next steps. The advisors were supportive of the active women, but it was difficult to get some alumni members on board because they didn’t want to see the women’s fraternity go.
Lacy Knutson, former CERES advisor, said, “ultimately, I think the disbandment of CERES was the right call. I know it is heartbreaking for many CERES alumni, and my hopes are that the women on this campus who would have traditionally pledged for CERES will find community, sisterhood, and support even in the absence of this organization.”
