Acacia acquires former SAE house

The lease is for two years with a possible two-year extension.

By Matt Schmertz
July 9, 2008

Acacia fraternity has moved into the former Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house on Stewart Road after Sigma Alpha Epsilon had its official student organization status revoked.

As the Office of Greek Life continues to grow and expand, some smaller chapters are looking for ways to develop and increase in size.

For Acacia fraternity, that meant acquiring a house to expand their recruitment and general operation.

On April 3 Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity president Christopher Lupo received a letter from Student Life Director Mark Lucas stating that the fraternity’s status as an official student organization had been revoked.

Despite having the opportunity to appeal the decision for one week, the chapter chose to accept its fate and disband.

But, Sigma Alpha Epsilon national spokesman Brandon Weghorst said the chapter did not have its charter revoked by the nation headquarters. Instead, its charter has been suspended indefinitely.

Having a suspended charter means that all active members of SAE at MU are on suspension until they graduate. Once graduated, all members become active alumni.

But there is a chance future MU students could become a part of the fraternity.

“SAE always intends to return to a campus where there is a suspended charter,” Weghorst said.

After hearing about SAE’s troubles, Acacia jumped at the opportunity to acquire the available house at 24 E. Stewart Road.

Acacia Fraternity and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house corporation, which owns the house and property, agreed on a two-year lease with the option of adding an additional two-year extension. However, if Sigma Alpha Epsilon appeals to come back to campus in two years, Acacia will have to vacate the house and find another residence.

Because this is such a temporary situation, Acacia House Director Joel Brown said the fraternity will launch a capital campaign to raise $1.4 million in the next four years “so we have enough money to secure a loan for a house if SAE comes back in two years, or build a house if they do not return for four years.”

Acacia moved into their new residence on Stewart Road on June 1 from a smaller unofficial residence at 1404 Wilson Ave.

Acacia President Mike Barcroft described the house as being in a “state of disrepair” when Acacia officially acquired the house.

“We have been working tirelessly all month to repair the house and bring it back up to our standards of living” Barcroft said.

The house sits on seven acres of land and is a “huge selling point because this is a very house-driven campus as far as Greek life is concerned,” Barcroft said.

Barcroft said he was very pleased with Acacia’s participation in Interfraternity Council formal recruitment this summer.

“We were much more successful with formal recruitment this year,” he said. “Having a house helped a lot.”

Brown said having a house levels the playing field between Acacia and some of the larger fraternities on campus.

Acacia hopes to use the new house as a pedestal to grow as a chapter and strengthen their capital campaign.

“Our main goal is to always have a foundation of quality men,” he said. “The capital campaign allows us to build our brotherhood while also building a house with more members.”

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Acacia acquires former SAE house

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