Acacia Fraternity is a social fraternity founded in 1904 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The fraternity has 24 active chapters and 3 associate chapters throughout Canada and the United States. The fraternity was founded by undergraduate Freemasons and was originally open only to men who had taken the Masonic obligations, but in 1933 the International Conclave elected to dispense with the Masonic prerequisite. In 1988, at the 45th Conclave, the fraternity elected to use "International" rather than "National" when referring to the fraternity.

History

thumb|The founding members of the Acacia fraternity in 1904

Acacia Fraternity was founded on May 12, 1904, by a group of fourteen Freemasons attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Early chapters were named alphabetically using Hebrew letters; these first 26 chapters at their option continue to use their historical designations today, while younger chapters are named after the institution at which they are located.

The main symbol and representation of Acacia occurs within a 3-4-5 <span style="font-size:smaller;">(base-altitude-hypotenuse)</span> right triangle of the first quadrant. This triangle holds very special significance to the fraternity and its members, symbolizing the imperfect nature of man as well as the struggle to approach an ideal, which symbolically is occasionally represented as a circle. Unless specified otherwise, whenever a triangle is mentioned in this article, a 3-4-5 right triangle of the first quadrant is what is meant.

Activities

In even-numbered years, the Acacia hosts its biennial Conclave, forming the legislative body of the fraternity. Each chapter in good standing is allowed two votes (usually the Venerable Dean and Chapter Advisor). In odd-numbered years, Acacia's Indiana chapter hosts the Acacia Leadership Academy (ALA) which provides leadership training to undergraduate members of the fraternity. founded in 1989, is Acacia fraternity's non-profit educational foundation. A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the AFF exists to provide scholarships to student Acacians and to support the worthy educational and leadership activities of the fraternity.

  • In 2012, the Indiana University Bloomington chapter of Acacia was suspended for at least two years for hazing violations. The fraternity has since rechartered.
  • In 2013, two Acacia brothers at Penn State were charged with ethnic intimidation and criminal mischief after spray-painting anti-Semitic language, swastikas, and sexual references at Jewish fraternity Beta Sigma Beta.
  • In 2015, the Purdue University chapter of Acacia was suspended due to underage drinking violations and the rape of an Iowa college student that occurred at the same party.
  • In 2015, the Louisiana State University chapter of Acacia was suspended until 2018 due to hazing violations.
  • In 2015, the Miami University chapter of Acacia closed for its inability to comply with Miami's Community Advancement Program (programming and membership development standards) as well as hazing and forced drinking of underage pledges. The National Organization has no plans to re-establish the Chapter.
  • In 2016, the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign chapter of Acacia held a controversial party with the Alpha Phi sorority where members dressed in various stereotypical ethnic costumes, triggering a backlash from Black, Latino, Muslim and LGBT student groups on campus.
  • In 2017, Acacia and Millersville University of Pennsylvania were sued for the death of Karlie Hall, who was murdered in her dorm room by her boyfriend Greg Orrostieta after leaving an Acacia party.
  • In 2020, the University of Iowa chapter of Acacia was suspended following alleged hazing incidents.
  • In 2022, the Ohio State University chapter of Acacia was suspended for hazing pledges, failure to comply with university or civil authority, and dishonest conduct.
  • In 2024, the Illinois State University chapter of Acacia was suspended by Acacia nationals for underage drinking and hosting unregistered social events.
  • In 2025, the Arizona State University chapter of Acacia was released from the Greek Leadership Village and subsequently disbanded their chapter due to previous suspensions, hazing, and accumulating debt.

Notable members

See also

  • List of social fraternities

References

  • Cornerstones website
  • Chapter directory