Beta Upsilon Chi
Encyclopedia
Beta Upsilon Chi,or ΒΥΧ , is the largest Christian social fraternity
in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas
in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campus
es in twelve states. According to the fraternity’s official website, Beta Upsilon Chi “exists for the purpose of establishing brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.” The founding verse of BYX is, "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." - Psalm 133:1. BYX seeks to set itself apart from other fraternities in its incorporation of cell groups where, separate from weekly fraternity meetings, small groups of men gather weekly to edify college men through Bible
study, worship, accountability, prayer, and fellowship to promote brotherhood among its members.
fostered and felt that such an order, dedicated to Christ
and the edification of one another, could lead to a powerful social witness on their campus.
Thus, as an alternative to what was seen as the "normal" fraternity
scene, the founding fathers of Beta Upsilon Chi established their fraternity as Brothers Under Christ, and took the Greek
letters Beta
, Upsilon
, and Chi
to identify themselves. They chose to make public their true name, Brothers Under Christ, so that they might always wear the name of Christ
and demonstrate that one could remain true to one's faith and yet enjoy life in fellowship with others. To announce the founding of their Fraternity, the founding fathers organized the first Island Party on the campus of the University of Texas
. Chapters around the country now hold their own Island Party annually as an evangelical outreach to the chapters' respective campuses and communities.
to a national organization across the country was slow at first. Initially, the alpha chapter rejected requests from Christian men at other schools to be initiated into the fraternity or to start new chapters. Eventually, the leadership in Austin decided that Beta Upsilon Chi's success should be shared with other campuses, and the founding fathers of Beta Chapter were initiated at Texas Christian University
in Fort Worth, Texas
. The fraternity then quickly expanded its presence across Texas starting the Gamma and Delta chapters at Texas A&M University
and Stephen F. Austin State University
.
Today, the national fraternity is headquartered in Fort Worth, and an expansion program oversees the establishment of new chapters.
movement has been significant. What has been characterized as the Texas movement was associated with the rise of the Evangelical Christian movement and the founding of Beta Upsilon Chi in 1985.
In 1988, only three years after BYX's founding, women from Texas
established Sigma Phi Lambda
, or Sisters for the Lord. Sigma Phi Lambda was influenced by BYX in their development, with Phi Lamb's establishment designed to be a "female version of BYX."Their official name, Sisters for the Lord, and their system of "cable groups" closely mirrors BYX.
With twenty-four chapters across the country, BYX is the largest Christian social fraternity
in the United States.
BYX chapters continue to do well despite declines in other areas of Greek life.
was prevented from registering as a student organization by university officials "because the group requires its members and officers to share the group's Christian beliefs".
After months of negotiation between university officials, student officers of the local chapter, and officials at the fraternity's national headquarters in Texas, attorneys with the Christian Legal Society
and Alliance Defense Fund
filed a civil rights suit on December 5, 2006 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
against the University
on behalf of the fraternity.
Five days later, on December 10, published reports by the Associated Press
indicated that the university (would) "remove the religion clause from the (university's anti-discrimination) policy for the Christian fraternity to settle this particular situation and is discussing an exception to religious discrimination (that) could be put into place much like an exception to gender discrimination is in place for same-sex social fraternities and sororities."
, Columbia, in April 2006. In December of that year a university administrator notified them that the chapter would have to abide by campus prohibitions on discrimination based on "race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability" or status as a Vietnam War
veteran. The students objected, with assistance from the Christian Legal Society, which sent university officials a letter listing several legal precedents protecting religious student groups' First Amendment rights of free association. In response, the university quickly reversed the directive.
Center for Academic Freedom and the Christian Legal Society
filed suit on behalf of BYX against various officials from the University of Florida for various constitutional violations. During the course of the legal proceedings, the 11th Circuit Court
ruled that the university must recognize the chapter pending appeal. Ultimately, the case was dismissed as moot when the university amended its policies to accommodate the chapter.
On November 4, 2010, two anonymous former members of the Vanderbilt chapter, an alumnus and a senior student, alleged they were evicted from the fraternity for being gay. If the allegations that individuals were expelled from BYX because of their homosexual orientation were true, then it would be possible that BYX could be found to have violated Vanderbilt policies against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. According to the initial report in Vanderbilt's student newspaper, the Hustler (which first published the anonymous allegations), the BYX code of conduct prohibits homosexual activity by its members (along with fornication
by heterosexual members).
Despite the numerous reports in the student newspaper, the University's Dean of Students was unwilling to take action against the fraternity based upon unsubstantiated media accounts. According to published reports, the Dean of Students initiated a review of BYX's policies after an anonymous complaint was lodged against the fraternity in late November 2010. It was unclear what the goal of the policy review would be, since BYX's code of conduct is based upon the fraternity's bona fide religious beliefs regarding sexual chastity
by all members, regardless of orientation (an issue which was already decided in the case of BYX by the Eleventh Circuit Court after the fraternity's litigation against the University of Florida). As of March 14, 2011, BYX remains an active, registered student organization at Vanderbilt and numerous other Universities.
. This board is the ultimate authority in the Fraternity and is responsible for the guidance of the fraternity
.
The Board also comprises the governing body of the Beta Upsilon Chi corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization, which controls the assets of the fraternity. They appoint the National Executive Director
to run the fraternity's daily business. In conjunction with this Executive Director, they approve any charter
changes.
All board of directors members must be alumni of the fraternity, and new board members are appointed from the Board of Advisors. The current members of the National Board of Directors are:
Board of advisors members are appointed by the Board of Directors, in consultation with the national executive director. All board of advisors members must be alumni of the fraternity, and only alumni of chartered chapters may be appointed to the board. The current members of the National Board of Advisors are:
The following men have served as Executive Director of Beta Upsilon Chi:
from the National Board of Directors and denominated by a letter of the Greek alphabet
that corresponds with their order of admission into the fraternity (for example, the University of Texas
is Alpha
Chapter).
The charter authorizes each chapter to work under a chapter constitution
that provides for the election of chapter officers: typically a president
, vice president
, secretary
, treasurer
, chaplain
, and a pledge trainer, sometimes called a New Member Captain.
These officers are responsible for the administration of the chapter for a calendar year
, conducting ritual
, overseeing meetings, organizing trips, implementing the pledging program, organizing parties, etc. The officers serve one year terms, and may only be re-elected once to a different office.
In the early spring of even-numbered years, the entire fraternity is called together for National Summit, typically held outside of Dallas, Texas
. The event is the primary unifying experience of BYX members outside of their common commitment to Christ and their shared experience in ritual and ceremony of the fraternity. Its Bible studies, worship, fellowship, athletic competitions, and seminars on fraternity issues attract the largest gatherings of Brothers Under Christ in any given year. It is also at Summit where the fraternity's annual Delegate Convention takes place.
There are three kinds of membership in the Fraternity: pledges, active members, and alumni members. Each local chapter is composed of its active members and pledges.
Active members form the backbone of the fraternity, participating in ritual, leading worship
, Bible
study, and other chapter activities. Active members have voting rights within the chapter and become alumni members upon their graduation
. Pledges become members by finishing the pledging process, a process that differs from chapter to chapter, but typically lasts a semester.
. These weekly meetings bring four to six brothers (and pledges, when there are pledges) together into a group for close fellowship, Christian accountability, and Bible study. Many times, brothers in Beta Upsilon Chi find that those with whom they share their cell group become their closest friends within the chapter and within their college.
The overall strength of the fraternity's national and local unity is firmly rooted in this cell group structure, and their foundational place within Beta Upsilon Chi has led to its continued growth and longevity. Indeed, cell groups are one of the primary means by which the fraternity's Christian character is maintained.
As with any Greek letter organization, Beta Upsilon Chi is a ritualistic organization whose pledge induction, initiation, and other ceremonies are esoteric and not open to the general public. Instead, these traditions serve to bind the brothers together such that any Brother Under Christ from across the country can feel welcome and among his brothers.
In addition to the usual Greek practices of grips, words, and memory work, Beta Upsilon Chi also utilizes several symbols whose meaning is open to anyone:
.
Christian fraternity
class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"While the traditional social fraternity is a well-established mainstay across the United States at institutions of higher learning, alternatives - in the form...
in the United States. Since its founding at the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-four campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
es in twelve states. According to the fraternity’s official website, Beta Upsilon Chi “exists for the purpose of establishing brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.” The founding verse of BYX is, "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." - Psalm 133:1. BYX seeks to set itself apart from other fraternities in its incorporation of cell groups where, separate from weekly fraternity meetings, small groups of men gather weekly to edify college men through Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
study, worship, accountability, prayer, and fellowship to promote brotherhood among its members.
Founding fathers
ΒΥΧ was founded at the University of Texas in 1985 by the national founding fathers, and led by Wendel Weaver as the first president, who today sits on the National Board of Directors. This group of men saw the lasting bonds of deep friendship that Greek lifeFraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
fostered and felt that such an order, dedicated to Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
and the edification of one another, could lead to a powerful social witness on their campus.
Thus, as an alternative to what was seen as the "normal" fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
scene, the founding fathers of Beta Upsilon Chi established their fraternity as Brothers Under Christ, and took the Greek
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
letters Beta
Beta (letter)
Beta is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. In Ancient Greek, beta represented the voiced bilabial plosive . In Modern Greek, it represents the voiced labiodental fricative ....
, Upsilon
Upsilon
Upsilon is the 20th letter of the Greek alphabet. In the system of Greek numerals it has a value of 400. It is derived from the Phoenician waw. The name of the letter is pronounced in Modern Greek, and in English , , or...
, and Chi
Chi (letter)
Chi is the 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet, pronounced as in English.-Greek:-Ancient Greek:Its value in Ancient Greek was an aspirated velar stop .-Koine Greek:...
to identify themselves. They chose to make public their true name, Brothers Under Christ, so that they might always wear the name of Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
and demonstrate that one could remain true to one's faith and yet enjoy life in fellowship with others. To announce the founding of their Fraternity, the founding fathers organized the first Island Party on the campus of the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. Chapters around the country now hold their own Island Party annually as an evangelical outreach to the chapters' respective campuses and communities.
Going national
The process of growing from one chapter in Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
to a national organization across the country was slow at first. Initially, the alpha chapter rejected requests from Christian men at other schools to be initiated into the fraternity or to start new chapters. Eventually, the leadership in Austin decided that Beta Upsilon Chi's success should be shared with other campuses, and the founding fathers of Beta Chapter were initiated at Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
. The fraternity then quickly expanded its presence across Texas starting the Gamma and Delta chapters at Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
and Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university located in Nacogdoches, Texas, United States. Founded as a teachers' college in 1923, the university was named after one of Texas' founding fathers, Stephen F. Austin. Its campus resides on part of the homestead of another Texas founding...
.
Today, the national fraternity is headquartered in Fort Worth, and an expansion program oversees the establishment of new chapters.
Inspiration for new fraternities
The influence of Beta Upsilon Chi, Brothers Under Christ, on the Christian fraternityChristian fraternity
class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"While the traditional social fraternity is a well-established mainstay across the United States at institutions of higher learning, alternatives - in the form...
movement has been significant. What has been characterized as the Texas movement was associated with the rise of the Evangelical Christian movement and the founding of Beta Upsilon Chi in 1985.
In 1988, only three years after BYX's founding, women from Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
established Sigma Phi Lambda
Sigma Phi Lambda
-History:Sigma Phi Lambda was founded in 1988 at the University of Texas at Austin by Patricia Adams Hogan, Robin Maegen, Gina Williams Goveas, Jacqueline Goveas and Eileen Howell Barlow....
, or Sisters for the Lord. Sigma Phi Lambda was influenced by BYX in their development, with Phi Lamb's establishment designed to be a "female version of BYX."Their official name, Sisters for the Lord, and their system of "cable groups" closely mirrors BYX.
Continuing growth
Christian fraternity
class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"While the traditional social fraternity is a well-established mainstay across the United States at institutions of higher learning, alternatives - in the form...
in the United States.
BYX chapters continue to do well despite declines in other areas of Greek life.
University of Georgia
In late 2006, the Pi Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi at the University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
was prevented from registering as a student organization by university officials "because the group requires its members and officers to share the group's Christian beliefs".
After months of negotiation between university officials, student officers of the local chapter, and officials at the fraternity's national headquarters in Texas, attorneys with the Christian Legal Society
Christian Legal Society
The Christian Legal Society is a non-profit, non-denominational organization of Christian lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students whose members profess to follow the "commandment of Jesus" to "do justice with the love of God."...
and Alliance Defense Fund
Alliance Defense Fund
The Alliance Defense Fund is a conservative Christian nonprofit organization with the stated goal of "defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation." ADF was founded in 1994 by the late Bill Bright , the late Larry Burkett , James Dobson The...
filed a civil rights suit on December 5, 2006 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia is a United States District Court which serves the residents of sixty-nine counties from seven divisions from its headquarters in Macon, Georgia....
against the University
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
on behalf of the fraternity.
Five days later, on December 10, published reports by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
indicated that the university (would) "remove the religion clause from the (university's anti-discrimination) policy for the Christian fraternity to settle this particular situation and is discussing an exception to religious discrimination (that) could be put into place much like an exception to gender discrimination is in place for same-sex social fraternities and sororities."
University of Missouri
Ten students formed a chapter at the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, Columbia, in April 2006. In December of that year a university administrator notified them that the chapter would have to abide by campus prohibitions on discrimination based on "race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability" or status as a Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
veteran. The students objected, with assistance from the Christian Legal Society, which sent university officials a letter listing several legal precedents protecting religious student groups' First Amendment rights of free association. In response, the university quickly reversed the directive.
University of Florida
On March 16, 2007, the Upsilon Chapter at the University of Florida was officially recognized by the BYX national board. The University of Florida however, refused to recognize BYX. The university had refused to recognize the chapter as a "Registered Student Organization" because the fraternity did not accept homosexuals, and would not recognize the chapter as a "Social Fraternity" because the fraternity wouldn't accept gay Christians. On July 10, 2007, the Alliance Defense FundAlliance Defense Fund
The Alliance Defense Fund is a conservative Christian nonprofit organization with the stated goal of "defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation." ADF was founded in 1994 by the late Bill Bright , the late Larry Burkett , James Dobson The...
Center for Academic Freedom and the Christian Legal Society
Christian Legal Society
The Christian Legal Society is a non-profit, non-denominational organization of Christian lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students whose members profess to follow the "commandment of Jesus" to "do justice with the love of God."...
filed suit on behalf of BYX against various officials from the University of Florida for various constitutional violations. During the course of the legal proceedings, the 11th Circuit Court
United States circuit court
The United States circuit courts were the original intermediate level courts of the United States federal court system. They were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. They had trial court jurisdiction over civil suits of diversity jurisdiction and major federal crimes. They also had appellate...
ruled that the university must recognize the chapter pending appeal. Ultimately, the case was dismissed as moot when the university amended its policies to accommodate the chapter.
Vanderbilt University
On February 10, 2010 Vanderbilt school officials began an investigation into the pledgeship activities of the Nu chapter of BYX after allegations of hazing surfaced. The investigation concluded 18 days later with the chapter being allowed to resume all activities as usual. No repercussions or disciplinary actions were announced.On November 4, 2010, two anonymous former members of the Vanderbilt chapter, an alumnus and a senior student, alleged they were evicted from the fraternity for being gay. If the allegations that individuals were expelled from BYX because of their homosexual orientation were true, then it would be possible that BYX could be found to have violated Vanderbilt policies against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. According to the initial report in Vanderbilt's student newspaper, the Hustler (which first published the anonymous allegations), the BYX code of conduct prohibits homosexual activity by its members (along with fornication
Fornication
Fornication typically refers to consensual sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other. For many people, the term carries a moral or religious association, but the significance of sexual acts to which the term is applied varies between religions, societies and cultures. The...
by heterosexual members).
Despite the numerous reports in the student newspaper, the University's Dean of Students was unwilling to take action against the fraternity based upon unsubstantiated media accounts. According to published reports, the Dean of Students initiated a review of BYX's policies after an anonymous complaint was lodged against the fraternity in late November 2010. It was unclear what the goal of the policy review would be, since BYX's code of conduct is based upon the fraternity's bona fide religious beliefs regarding sexual chastity
Chastity
Chastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of a culture, civilization, or religion....
by all members, regardless of orientation (an issue which was already decided in the case of BYX by the Eleventh Circuit Court after the fraternity's litigation against the University of Florida). As of March 14, 2011, BYX remains an active, registered student organization at Vanderbilt and numerous other Universities.
Board of Directors
At the national level, ΒΥΧ is headed by a Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
. This board is the ultimate authority in the Fraternity and is responsible for the guidance of the fraternity
Fraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
.
The Board also comprises the governing body of the Beta Upsilon Chi corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization, which controls the assets of the fraternity. They appoint the National Executive Director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
to run the fraternity's daily business. In conjunction with this Executive Director, they approve any charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
changes.
All board of directors members must be alumni of the fraternity, and new board members are appointed from the Board of Advisors. The current members of the National Board of Directors are:
- Wendel Weaver (Chairman), Texas Alpha
- Chuck James, TCUTexas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
Beta - David Daniels, Texas Alpha
- Brett Williams, Texas A&MTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
Gamma - Cody Dick, TCUTexas Christian UniversityTexas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
Beta
Board of Advisors
The Board of Directors is assisted in its governance of the Fraternity by a Board of Advisors. This board serves as a consultative partner of the Board of Directors, with voice but not vote in the Directors' decisions.Board of advisors members are appointed by the Board of Directors, in consultation with the national executive director. All board of advisors members must be alumni of the fraternity, and only alumni of chartered chapters may be appointed to the board. The current members of the National Board of Advisors are:
- Loren Hsiao (Chairman), Texas A&MTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
Gamma - Drew Christman, Texas A&MTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
Gamma - Jared Musgrove, OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
Kappa - Caleb Martin, OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
Kappa
Executive Director
The BYX Executive Director is the fraternity's national administrator. Through his staff, he coordinates the activities of the fraternity from its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. The Executive Director's staff is equally responsible for the day-to-day operation of the national fraternity, and staff from National Headquarters frequently visit the chapters. The National Executive Director is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors; he has a voice in decisions, but no vote.The following men have served as Executive Director of Beta Upsilon Chi:
- Kyle Hoover, 1999–2001
- Kevin Peck, 2001–2004
- Jason Hoyt, 2004–Present
Chapter governance
Chapters are authorized by a charterCharter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
from the National Board of Directors and denominated by a letter of the Greek alphabet
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
that corresponds with their order of admission into the fraternity (for example, the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
is Alpha
Alpha
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Alpha or ALPHA may also refer to:-Science:*Alpha , the highest ranking individuals in a community of social animals...
Chapter).
The charter authorizes each chapter to work under a chapter constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
that provides for the election of chapter officers: typically a president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
, secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
, treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
, and a pledge trainer, sometimes called a New Member Captain.
These officers are responsible for the administration of the chapter for a calendar year
Calendar year
Generally speaking, a calendar year begins on the New Year's Day of the given calendar system and ends on the day before the following New Year's Day. By convention, a calendar year consists of a natural number of days. To reconcile the calendar year with an astronomical cycle , certain years...
, conducting ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
, overseeing meetings, organizing trips, implementing the pledging program, organizing parties, etc. The officers serve one year terms, and may only be re-elected once to a different office.
National meetings
Once each year, the chapter officers gather together for a National Leadership Conference, which consists of all the officers of the fraternity and the national staff. This meeting is in the fall, and shortly follows the election of the local chapter leaders.In the early spring of even-numbered years, the entire fraternity is called together for National Summit, typically held outside of Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. The event is the primary unifying experience of BYX members outside of their common commitment to Christ and their shared experience in ritual and ceremony of the fraternity. Its Bible studies, worship, fellowship, athletic competitions, and seminars on fraternity issues attract the largest gatherings of Brothers Under Christ in any given year. It is also at Summit where the fraternity's annual Delegate Convention takes place.
Affiliating with local universities
Since its inception in 1985, chapters of Beta Upsilon Chi have chosen not to affiliate with the Interfraternity Council (IFC) at the school where they are established. This has proven controversial on some campuses, because it means that BYX does not pay IFC dues. On the other hand, IFC membership sometimes involves sanctioning rules and regulations which would be contrary to the purpose of BYX. Because of the potential for conflict inherent in such affiliations, the National Board of Directors continues to uphold a policy prohibiting local chapters from affiliating with host university IFCs. As a result, depending on the university, each chapter is either registered as a social fraternity unassociated with the IFC, or as a student organization.Membership
Active members form the backbone of the fraternity, participating in ritual, leading worship
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The word is derived from the Old English worthscipe, meaning worthiness or worth-ship — to give, at its simplest, worth to something, for example, Christian worship.Evelyn Underhill defines worship thus: "The absolute...
, Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
study, and other chapter activities. Active members have voting rights within the chapter and become alumni members upon their graduation
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
. Pledges become members by finishing the pledging process, a process that differs from chapter to chapter, but typically lasts a semester.
Cell groups
The attribute of BYX chapters that most clearly delineates it from other Christian fraternities—and certainly from non-Christian social fraternities—is that all BYX members are a part of "cell groups." Cell groups were an original innovation of the founding fathers when they established the fraternity at the University of TexasUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. These weekly meetings bring four to six brothers (and pledges, when there are pledges) together into a group for close fellowship, Christian accountability, and Bible study. Many times, brothers in Beta Upsilon Chi find that those with whom they share their cell group become their closest friends within the chapter and within their college.
The overall strength of the fraternity's national and local unity is firmly rooted in this cell group structure, and their foundational place within Beta Upsilon Chi has led to its continued growth and longevity. Indeed, cell groups are one of the primary means by which the fraternity's Christian character is maintained.
Traditions and symbols
In addition to the usual Greek practices of grips, words, and memory work, Beta Upsilon Chi also utilizes several symbols whose meaning is open to anyone:
- Purpose. To establish brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.
- Founding Scripture. "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." --Psalm 133:1
- Colors. PurplePurplePurple is a range of hues of color occurring between red and blue, and is classified as a secondary color as the colors are required to create the shade....
and white.
- Signature event. "Island Party" (IP) - a free Christian music concert provided to the entire university. The largest of which was held at Baylor UniversityBaylor UniversityBaylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
(Iota chapter) on April 20, 2007. The band "SwitchfootSwitchfootSwitchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
" was the headliner and attendance was estimated between 15,000 - 20,000.
Chapters
Beta Upsilon Chi changed its policy regarding expansion of chapters in February 2009. The Fraternity's Board of Directors, in consultation with the Board of Advisors, continued the implementation of a three-phased expansion progress for prospective chapters to pursue active chapter status, but the national leadership began actively recruiting individuals to establish BYX chapters on those campuses which do not already have them.Current chapters
The Fraternity is currently composed of 24 active chapters in 12 statesU.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
.