“When the virus first became a concern, I provided Clorox wipes and cleaning supplies to each room in the house in hopes of reducing germs,” house manager and sophomore business major Katie Bayley said via text.

Bayley also said they moved to individual meals, instead of the traditional buffet-style meals.

But as the situation became worse, more drastic measures became necessary. Members of Sigma Kappa were given a one-week's notice that all members had to be out of the house by March 20 at 6 p.m.

“It was really heartbreaking for everyone because it has been our home the past eight months and we love living together,” Bayley said. 

Members of Zeta Tau Alpha had a similar response, as they were all encouraged to leave the house and return to their permanent residences as well. 

“As of last Friday, every single person that was living in the house has returned to their permanent homes except one,” Zeta Tau Alpha president Coco Toomajian said via text.

Both of the decisions to evacuate these houses were made by sororities' individual national councils.

“They thought the house was at high risk due to the amount of girls living in one space,” Toomajian said. 

Everyone in Sigma Kappa was able to find a place to go once they left, Bayley said.

“My advisors provided everyone with local resources if needed,” she said. 

The decision to abandon the houses was a tough pill to swallow for everyone, but it has hit the seniors especially hard.

“This whole situation has been especially hard on our seniors because they might not get to experience everything they were looking forward to for four years," Toomajian said. "Their last Greek Week, last college class, graduation and much more was taken away from them so fast and we wish we could do something to fix that for them."

Sigma Kappa has a rule stating members can only live in the house for a year. Bayley said that made the situation difficult for those who had to cut their one year short.

“It was really sad to have to pack up our things earlier knowing that we won’t be returning to the house again,” she said.

Toomajian said they are working on a plan to reimburse members of Zeta Tau Alpha, but have not finalized anything yet. 

Ashley Sherman, senior communications director for Zeta Tau Alpha's national chapter, said in a statement provided to The State News that they've been monitoring each location and have followed each school's lead in deciding whether a housing facility should remain open.

“We also know many members have questions regarding their financial obligations during this time," Sherman said in the statement. "We have communicated directly with all members that starting this week, the finance team at International Office will work with all (Zeta Tau Alpha) chapter Presidents, Treasurers and Collegiate National Officers to begin the process of determining how to prorate fees and/or refund members.”