History

• Acacia's founders established strict membership rules: members of the fraternity had to have already taken Masonic obligations; they needed to demonstrate a desire for scholarship; and according to the Acacia website, members were expected to refrain from "unbecoming activities."
  
  

Principles

• Acacia's motto is "human service." It is believed to be a fundamental base for a healthy, enjoyable and productive fraternity life. According to the Cornell University chapter of Acacia, it includes reaching out to others and to "give light to those with whom we may be associated as we travel along life's pathway."
  
  

Growth

• Members are no longer required to belong to the Masonic fraternity, but there still are strong ties between Acacia and Masonic orders. The fraternity of today continues to change and grow, but the founding principles of high scholarship, fraternal brotherhood and human service remain.