Housing

Sigma Kappa House

National Housing Corporation

Sigma Kappa NHC


Founded during the 1993-94 academic year with a bold vision to enrich the collegiate experience, the Sigma Kappa National Housing Corporation (NHC) provides operational support, financial management services, and financing to local house corporations and facility committees in the management of their properties.

The mission of the Sigma Kappa National Housing Corporation is to foster safe, attractive, and relevant living and learning environments by providing operational support, financial management services, and financing to local house corporations and facility committees. By investing in our mission, values and volunteers, we will enrich the Sigma Kappa experience.

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Values



The NHC’s efforts are guided by five key values that are purposefully incorporated into our work
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Fiscal Responsibility

By providing financial services including the invoicing and collection of housing-related fees, accounts payable, payroll, financial reporting, tax reporting, and auditing for local house corporations, we ensure that the funds collected from members are stewarded in a responsible manner following Sorority national policies and federal/state regulations.

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Service

All of us involved with the NHC are dedicated to providing the highest level of customer service to our local house corporations, facility committees, collegiate members and their parents, house directors, vendors, and other stakeholders. We also recognize and value the commitment and hundreds of hours of service donated by our team of alumnae volunteers.

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Diversity of Talent

Our team is comprised of both paid staff members and volunteers who have expertise in areas such as accounting, property management, architecture, interior design, safety and security, board governance, fund development, human resources, real estate, and more so that we are able to provide comprehensive support and services.

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Safe & Attractive Accommodations

Through a strong partnership with our insurance provider, we are able to provide outstanding coverage as well as relevant risk management and safety information to local corporations, who then work diligently to ensure that the facilities meet local fire and safety regulations and adhere to university housing requirements. The NHC also provides resources, expert technical assistance, and financing so that local house corporations and facility committees can maintain a facility that is beautiful and comfortable for the collegiate members.

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Collaboration

Through collaboration with each Sigma Kappa entity, corporation and advisory boards and friends of Sigma Kappa, we will positively impact the member housing experience.

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HOMES Program


Through the Housing Operations, Management, and Employee Services Program (HOMES), paid staff members of the NHC provide all of the management functions for the local chapter house. HOMES is a bold new model developed by the NHC in 2015 in response to requests from local chapters and house corporations and is one of several such programs being implemented by national sororities/fraternities to ensure consistent and professional management of Greek chapter housing.

In order to become a participant in the HOMES program, members of the local house corporation vote to delegate all authority and oversight for the property to the NHC. A local facilities committee remains in place, however, to provide input on necessary improvements and renovations to the chapter house. The house director and other staff members at the chapter house become employees of the NHC.

The following Sigma Kappa local house corporations participate in the HOMES program:

  • Tau, Indiana University 
  • Phi, University of Rhode Island 
  • Upsilon, Oregon State University
  • Alpha Epsilon, Iowa State University 
  • Alpha Omega, University of Alabama
  • Alpha Phi, University of Oregon
  • Beta Upsilon, Ohio University 
  • Beta Zeta, University of Maryland
  • Delta Delta, Central Michigan University
  • Gamma Beta, Western Michigan University
  • Gamma Kappa, Southern Illinois University
  • Kappa Nu, Marquette University
  • Theta Delta, University of Delaware
  • Zeta Omicron, University of Arizona
  • Epsilon Tau, California State University

FAQs

 In addition to chapter dues and fees, each collegiate member of Sigma Kappa is also responsible for paying housing-related fees that are set by the local house corporation or facilities committee. Common housing fees include: 

  • Housing and Furnishing Fee – A flat-rate fee paid by each member during her first year of membership that is placed in a restricted fund to be used for capital improvements to the property. Some chapters may split this fee into installments. The range is generally $100-$400, depending on the size and age of the property.
  • Parlor Fee – A fee paid each semester by non-residents of the house that is designated for general operating expenses of the chapter house. The Parlor Fee may also include a meal plan of some type if one is offered by the local house corporation.
  • Room and Board – The fees paid by residents of the house that is designated for general operating expenses of the chapter house and a defined number of meals per week (if meals are provided).
  • Meal Plan Fees – Some house corporations offer a separate meal plan, or plans, for non-residents and members will be charged based on the plan that is selected.
  • Parking Fee – Some house corporations will have a separate fee for a designated parking space at the chapter house.
  • Financial Services Fee – A per member fee that is paid to the NHC to cover the financial services that are provided for the local house corporation. Some house corporations include this in the Parlor Fee and Room & Board Fees, thus do not charge separately for it.

For house corporations that participate in the NHC, housing fees are invoiced monthly through the Billhighway online payment platform along with the monthly collegiate chapter fees. Invoices are available the 1st of each month and are due by the 26th of that month to avoid late fees and automatic financial suspension.  Members should make payments online through their Billhighway account.

Invoicing and payment systems for non-NHC corporations will vary by chapter. Please check with the local house corporation for more information.

In situations where the facility is owned by a local house corporation, overall responsibility for managing the property lies with the board of directors for the local house corporation, often referred to as the “corporation board” or “house corps.”

Depending on the size of the facility and the number of services offered to chapter members, the corporation board may hire a number of staff members to supervise and/or provide services. These may include:

  • House director – Historically called “house moms,” the house director is usually a professional on-site property manager who oversees the maintenance of the property and hires/supervises all other staff members. The house director is employed by, and reports to, the corporation board – not the chapter or its officers.
  • Chef/Head Cook and kitchen staff
  • Housekeeper
  • Landscaper/gardener

Where the property is university-owned, the facilities committee is responsible for the management of the house or suite. In these situations, there is not a professional staff in place as services are provided by the university.

In addition, each chapter elects or appoints a house manager who serves as the liaison to the corporation board or facilities committee, coordinates with the house director to plan for the chapter’s needs related to the house, and works with other officers to ensure that chapter members follow safety and other house rules. Along with either the chapter president or vice president of finance, the house manager serves as one of two collegiate voting members on the corporation board.

Where there is a local house corporation in place that is a participant in the NHC, the NHC is a financial services provider that acts only at the direction of the local corporation board. Decision-making including the setting of fees and invoicing schedules, hiring and supervision of staff, property maintenance and remodeling, and house rules are set by the local corporation board.

In addition to financial services, the NHC provides to participating corporations a comprehensive offering of resources, expert technical assistance, educational opportunities, and project financing to assist them in meeting the benchmarks defined in the Keys to Housing Excellence. However, the local corporation is not required to take advantage of these resources.

For participants in the NHC’s HOMES program, the local house corporation has delegated all operational authority, property management, and staff hiring/supervision to the NHC. Paid staff members of the NHC manage the property and the NHC board of directors provides oversight.

For local house corporations that have not chosen to participate in the NHC, the local corporation board is responsible for all operations and management of the property, including financial services. These corporations receive support and guidance from the Sorority’s housing team of national officers.

Sigma Kappa Sorority national policy states that “all members shall live in the house when there is space available.” Since most chapter houses do not have the capacity to house all of the chapter members, each chapter is responsible for determining the method by which they will select members to live in the house. The procedure is generally outlined in the chapter code of conduct. For questions about the chapter expectations regarding living in the house, contact the chapter president or house manager.

The process usually takes place November through January and generally occurs prior to the timeframe in which students secure contracts for other off-campus housing so that those who are not selected or required to live in the house have the option to find other housing in the campus community. 

More Information



NHC Board of Directors

Click here to visit the leadership page and learn more about the leadership of Sigma Kappa's National Housing Corporation.

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NHC Resource Library

The Sigma Kappa National Housing Corporation maintains a comprehensive resource library for NHC team members, local house corporations, and house directors. Find them all here.

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Housing Awards

Click here to learn more about housing awards and view this year's award winners.

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