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Acacia - May 12, 1904
Historically, Acacia was restricted to Masons, and, for the most part, Masons must be 21, which meant the early years of Acacia were older students. However, a century ago, college wasn't just 18-22 year olds, there were many older students back then. And, after WW I, colleges were filled with men in their twenties. It was possible to be a member of a GLO and Acacia, since Acacia often was more of a "Masonic club", than a fraternity.
Becoming a Mason involves a fair amount of study and work, but there are clauses in the rules of Masonry that allow relatives of Masons to become Masons "on sight", without all the work, and at a younger age, around 18. Some Acacia chapters allowed this, and, in 1931, this was formalized in the rules. By 1933, the Masonic requirement was totally dropped, at the national level, though a few houses still practiced the requirement.
WW II brought more veterans, who were older, and those chapters who resembled Masonic clubs flourished well into the fifties. Many of these chapters allowed dual membership with traditional fraternities, as the Acacia chapter either didn't have a house, or the "house" resembled more of a "university club" (eating rooms, ritual rooms, and a limited number of residence rooms, generally occupied by much older members),
By the early sixties, Acacia chapters everywhere were the same as any social fraternity, and dual membership had ended. Since the thirties, there was always an undercurrent to change the name to something resembling other GLO's - like AAA (Tri-Alpha) or AK (Alpha Kappa).
Hazing was never a major factor, there were no traditions of nude pranks or insane behavior to preserve. Paddling only happened during hell week; most of the pledge period involved a work project. Acacia adopted a mentorship program, similar to Sig Ep's Balanced Man program, to replace pledge hazing.
Acacia has about 44 chapters, somewhat small for a national. It will be interesting to see if they pursue great expansion, or merger with another national.
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I joined Acacia because I found a handful of close friends in the chapter. We acquired a much nicer and larger house, and expanded too quickly. My house went through some tough times in the post-Vietnam era (and the rapid expansion split us into many factions), but survived and did well. And, most of my longest-lasting friends are brothers.
Later, I joined the Masons, and Acacia was a catalyst for that.
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