Acacia tries to take root again
Scholastic fraternity returning to UCLA hopes to break mold
By Jennifer Louie
Daily Bruin Contributor
It’s back. It vanished in the ’70s and is now re-emerging,
thereby living up to its Greek name meaning "everlasting." But many
students are reluctant to roll out the red carpet for Acacia, a
fraternity returning to UCLA.
Founded at the University of Michigan in 1904, Acacia
distinguishes itself from other fraternities by promoting
scholastic achievement as a high priority, said Patrick Smith,
director of expansion for Acacia.
"We’re going to try to break the mold of stereotypes of
fraternities as big drinkers and big partyers," Smith said. "We
want to place greater emphasis on graduation."
To fulfill this goal, Smith said he aims to select people for
the fraternity who are concerned about graduation, have leadership
skills and are not just interested in big parties.
While some, such as third-year Spanish and women’s studies
student Rhynna Santos, generally do not support expansion of the
"exclusionary" greek system, others claim to have more specific
reasons for their lack of support.
"Eventually, (Acacia is) going to end up being like the rest,"
claimed Esmeralda Alfaro, a second-year political science student.
"When fraternities start, I imagine they have the same goals. But
as more (members) get involved, they lose sight of their goals,"
Alfaro said.
Other students, however, have faith that Acacia fraternity will
live up to its ideals, and therefore completely support its
intentions.
"A fraternity should help you go further in school," said Mark
Narain, a first-year economics student. "I’d consider joining," he
added.
Members of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity said they encourage Acacia
because they, too, strive to promote scholarship within their
fraternity.
Rick Ngo, a fourth-year biology student and Pi Kappa Alpha
member, said he hopes the new fraternity will be successful so that
it can help counter the "anti-Greek" sentiment he sees among some
students.
Skepticism, however, is not the only reason some students are
reluctant to support Acacia. Some feel the fraternity’s goal of
promoting scholarship is unnecessary.
"If somebody wants to study, they will," said Marni Goldman, a
fourth-year political science student.
Andy Kau, a third-year molecular genetics student, agreed with
Goldman’s sentiment that joining a fraternity should not be
necessary for academic achievement.
"You shouldn’t have to join anything to graduate on time," said
Kau. "If you have the intention, that should be fine." Kau
explained that he is also a fraternity member, but is inactive this
quarter due to other responsibilities.
Kau added that he feels Acacia’s need to place a greater
emphasis on scholarship perpetuates the stereotype the fraternity
is trying to defeat.
Naomi Eisenberger, a fourth-year psychobiology student and
member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority, questioned whether promoting
scholarship is necessary, because members of the Greek system have
higher GPAs, on average, than students outside the system.
Although many students expressed a lack of support for Acacia or
any expansion of the Greek system, Smith said that all other
fraternities and sororities he has encountered have been very
helpful. As part of their show of support, several sororities have
recommended potential fraternity members to Smith.
Aside from its scholastic intentions, Smith said he hopes each
person in Acacia fraternity will feel they have started a lasting
tradition at UCLA. Smith said he would also like Acacia members to
feel they have done something important and that they have helped
other students at UCLA.
"I would like it to be something to come back to after
graduation and be proud of," Smith said. If all goes well and the
fraternity receives sufficient funding , Smith said Acacia will
have its own house next quarter.
"I would like it to be something to come back to after
graduation and be proud of."
Patrick Smith
Acacia Expansion Director
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