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The process of growing from one chapter in [[Austin, Texas]], 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 founding fathers of ''Beta chapter'' were initiated at [[Texas Christian University]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. The fraternity then expanded with ''Gamma'' and ''Delta chapters'' at [[Texas A&M University]] and [[Stephen F. Austin State University]], respectively.<ref name="chapter_list"/>
The process of growing from one chapter in [[Austin, Texas]], 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 founding fathers of ''Beta chapter'' were initiated at [[Texas Christian University]] in [[Fort Worth, Texas]]. The fraternity then expanded with ''Gamma'' and ''Delta chapters'' at [[Texas A&M University]] and [[Stephen F. Austin State University]], respectively.<ref name="chapter_list"/>


In 1994, the fraternity held an Island Party to give back to the at Texas A&M community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BYX Island Party {{!}} About the Event |url=http://www.tamuislandparty.com/about |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=www.tamuislandparty.com}}</ref> Now an annual philanthropy event, the Island Party is free Christian music concert or event provided to the entire university.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our BYX Island Party |url=https://byx.crowdchange.co/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Beta Upsilon Chi |language=en}}</ref> The largest Island Party was held at [[Baylor University]] (''Iota chapter'') on April 20, 2007; the band "[[Switchfoot]]" was the headliner and attendance was estimated between 15,000 and 20,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Erianne |date=2021-09-30 |title=Beta Upsilon Chi's annual Island Party is expected to be its biggest yet {{!}} The Baylor Lariat |url=https://baylorlariat.com/2021/09/30/beta-upsilon-chis-annual-island-party-is-expected-to-be-its-biggest-yet/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1994, the fraternity held an Island Party to give back to the at Texas A&M community.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BYX Island Party {{!}} About the Event |url=http://www.tamuislandparty.com/about |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=www.tamuislandparty.com}}</ref> Now an annual philanthropy event, the Island Party is free [[Christians|Christian]] music concert or event provided to the entire university.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our BYX Island Party |url=https://byx.crowdchange.co/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=Beta Upsilon Chi |language=en}}</ref> The largest Island Party was held at [[Baylor University]] (''Iota chapter'') on April 20, 2007; the band "[[Switchfoot]]" was the headliner and attendance was estimated between 15,000 and 20,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Erianne |date=2021-09-30 |title=Beta Upsilon Chi's annual Island Party is expected to be its biggest yet {{!}} The Baylor Lariat |url=https://baylorlariat.com/2021/09/30/beta-upsilon-chis-annual-island-party-is-expected-to-be-its-biggest-yet/ |access-date=2023-06-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>


Today, the national fraternity is headquartered in Fort Worth, and an expansion program oversees the establishment of new chapters.<ref name="contact">"[http://www.betaupsilonchi.org/contact Contact]." ''Brothers Under Christ.'' Retrieved on July 19, 2010.</ref> The influence of Beta Upsilon Chi on the [[Christian fraternity (fraternities and sororities)|Christian fraternity]] movement was significant. In 1988, women from [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] established [[Sigma Phi Lambda]], or Sisters for the Lord, as a "female version of BYX."<ref name="SFL">"[http://www.sigma-phi-lambda.com/All%20About%20Phi%20Lamb.htm All About Sigma Phi Lambda] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921153339/http://www.sigma-phi-lambda.com/All%20About%20Phi%20Lamb.htm|date=September 21, 2007}}." ''[http://www.sigma-phi-lambda.com/ Sigma Phi Lambda].'' Retrieved on April 2, 2007.</ref><ref name="kpeck">Peck, Kevin. ''History of Beta Upsilon Chi, 1985-2000.'' Fort Worth, Texas: Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, 2000.</ref> In addition ot its name, Sisters for the Lord, the sorority's system of "cable groups" closely mirrors BYX.<ref name="SFL" />
Today, the national fraternity is headquartered in Fort Worth, and an expansion program oversees the establishment of new chapters.<ref name="contact">"[http://www.betaupsilonchi.org/contact Contact]." ''Brothers Under Christ.'' Retrieved on July 19, 2010.</ref> The influence of Beta Upsilon Chi on the [[Christian fraternity (fraternities and sororities)|Christian fraternity]] movement was significant. In 1988, women from [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] established [[Sigma Phi Lambda]], or Sisters for the Lord, as a "female version of BYX."<ref name="SFL">"[http://www.sigma-phi-lambda.com/All%20About%20Phi%20Lamb.htm All About Sigma Phi Lambda] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921153339/http://www.sigma-phi-lambda.com/All%20About%20Phi%20Lamb.htm|date=September 21, 2007}}." ''[http://www.sigma-phi-lambda.com/ Sigma Phi Lambda].'' Retrieved on April 2, 2007.</ref><ref name="kpeck">Peck, Kevin. ''History of Beta Upsilon Chi, 1985-2000.'' Fort Worth, Texas: Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, 2000.</ref> In addition ot its name, Sisters for the Lord, the sorority's system of "cable groups" closely mirrors BYX.<ref name="SFL" />

Revision as of 10:23, 26 October 2023

Beta Upsilon Chi
ΒΥΧ
FoundedApril 27, 1985; 39 years ago (1985-04-27)
University of Texas
TypeSocial
AffiliationNIC
EmphasisChristian
ScopeNational
MottoBehold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! - Psalm 133:1
Colors  Purple and   White
Chapters38
PurposeTo establish brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.
Headquarters12650 N. Beach Street
Suite 114 #305
Fort Worth, TX 76244
USA
WebsiteOfficial website

Beta Upsilon Chi (ΒΥΧ) is a Christian social fraternity in the United States.[citation needed] Since its founding at the University of Texas in 1985, ΒΥΧ has spread to twenty-nine campuses.[1]

BYX seeks to set itself apart from other fraternities in its incorporation of cell groups where, separate from weekly fraternity meetings, small groups gather weekly to edify college men through Bible study, worship, accountability, prayer, and fellowship to promote brotherhood among members.[2]

History

ΒΥΧ was founded at the University of Texas at Austin on April 27, 1985.[3] It began with the vision of Craig Albert, the first president.[citation needed] 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.[4] communities.

The founding fathers of the Alpha chapter were:

The process of growing from one chapter in Austin, Texas, 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 founding fathers of Beta chapter were initiated at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. The fraternity then expanded with Gamma and Delta chapters at Texas A&M University and Stephen F. Austin State University, respectively.[1]

In 1994, the fraternity held an Island Party to give back to the at Texas A&M community.[5] Now an annual philanthropy event, the Island Party is free Christian music concert or event provided to the entire university.[5][6] The largest Island Party was held at Baylor University (Iota chapter) on April 20, 2007; the band "Switchfoot" was the headliner and attendance was estimated between 15,000 and 20,000.[7]

Today, the national fraternity is headquartered in Fort Worth, and an expansion program oversees the establishment of new chapters.[8] The influence of Beta Upsilon Chi on the Christian fraternity movement was significant. In 1988, women from Texas established Sigma Phi Lambda, or Sisters for the Lord, as a "female version of BYX."[9][10] In addition ot its name, Sisters for the Lord, the sorority's system of "cable groups" closely mirrors BYX.[9]

Symbols

As with other Greek letter organizations, Beta Upsilon Chi is a ritualistic organization whose pledge induction, initiation, and other ceremonies are esoteric and not open to the general public. In addition to the usual Greek practices of grips, words, and memory work, Beta Upsilon Chi also utilizes several symbols. Its founding scripture is "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." - Psalm 133:1[11][4] The fraternity's colors are purple and white.[4]

Religious discrimination

The fraternity had been involved in several court cases seeking to assert local chapters' rights to organize with leaders, or to include as members, those who share the organization's Christian beliefs. Until these court cases, three universities held that student organizations may not discriminate based on religion, among other things, and had asserted this blanket prohibition applies to religious student organizations. In each of these, the Fraternity has prevailed, and three universities have changed their policies. These include:

University of Georgia

In late 2006, the Pi chapter at the University of Georgia 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".[12] 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.[13]

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."[14]

University of Missouri

Ten students formed a chapter at the University of Missouri 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.[citation needed]

University of Florida

On March 16, 2007, the Upsilon chapter at the University of Florida was officially recognized by the BYX national board.[15] The University of Florida however, refused to recognize BYX.[16] The university had refused to recognize the chapter as a registered student organization because the fraternity did not accept non-Christians, and would not recognize the chapter as a social fraternity because it was too exclusive.[17][18] On July 10, 2007, the Alliance Defense Fund 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.[19] During 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.[20][21]

Vanderbilt University

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.[22][23] If the allegations were true, then BYX could be found to have violated Vanderbilt policies against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.[citation needed] 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).[22]

Organization

Board of directors

At the national level, ΒΥΧ is headed by a board of directors. 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 members of the board of directors must be alumni of the fraternity, and new members are appointed from the board of advisors.

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 a voice but no vote in the directors' decisions. Board of Advisors members are appointed by the board of directors, in consultation with the national executive director. All members of the board of advisors must be alumni of the fraternity, and only alumni of chartered chapters may be appointed to the board.

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:[24]

  • Kyle Hoover, 1999–2001
  • Kevin Peck, 2001–2004
  • Jason Hoyt, 2004–2017[25]
  • Brian Lee, 2018–Present

Chapter governance

Chapters are authorized by a charter 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).[1]

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.[26][27][28] These officers are responsible for the administration of the chapter for a calendar year, including conducting ritual, overseeing meetings, organizing trips, implementing the pledging program, and organizing parties. The officers serve one-year terms and may be re-elected only once to a different office.

National meetings

Since the beginning, the chapter officers gather annually 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.[citation needed]

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 includes Bible studies, worship, fellowship, athletic competitions, and seminars on fraternity issues. It is also at Summit where the fraternity's annual Delegate Convention takes place.[29]

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.[30] 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. The Alpha Eta chapter at Clemson University, the Omicron chapter at Mississippi State University, and the Pi chapter at the University of Georgia are exceptions, affiliating with their local IFCs in 2014, 2015, and 2017 respectively.

On a national basis, Beta Upsilon Chi became a member of the NIC on 22 Sept 2016, to "align itself with the fraternal movement " and access advocacy and resources that will elevate its value in higher education, said Jason Hoyt, Beta Upsilon Chi President and COO.[31]

Membership

Founding fathers from Mississippi State's Omicron chapter at a BYX tailgate

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 rituals, 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.

Cell groups

All BYX members are a part of "cell groups, which are groups of four to six brothers and pledges who meet weekly for social activities and Bible study.[30]

Chapters

Main article: List of Beta Upsilon Chi chapters

The fraternity is currently composed of thirty-three active chapters[32] Beta Upsilon Chi changed its policy regarding the expansion of chapters in February 2009. The fraternity's board of directors, in consultation with its 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.[33]

Notable alumni

  • Ben Rector, Arkansas 2009 - singer/songwriter[34]
  • Tyler Toney, Garrett Hilbert, Cody Jones, Coby and Cory Cotton, Texas A&M 2009-11 - members of the sports and comedy group Dude Perfect

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chapters". Beta Upsilon Chi. Retrieved 2022-12-28.
  2. ^ "[1]."
  3. ^ "Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity- Virginia Tech Colony". fsl.vt.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  4. ^ a b c "About BYX." Brothers Under Christ (website). Retrieved on July 19, 2010.
  5. ^ a b "BYX Island Party | About the Event". www.tamuislandparty.com. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  6. ^ "Our BYX Island Party". Beta Upsilon Chi. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  7. ^ Lewis, Erianne (2021-09-30). "Beta Upsilon Chi's annual Island Party is expected to be its biggest yet | The Baylor Lariat". Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  8. ^ "Contact." Brothers Under Christ. Retrieved on July 19, 2010.
  9. ^ a b "All About Sigma Phi Lambda Archived September 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Sigma Phi Lambda. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.
  10. ^ Peck, Kevin. History of Beta Upsilon Chi, 1985-2000. Fort Worth, Texas: Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity, 2000.
  11. ^ Psalm 133:1
  12. ^ Staff Writer. "University of Georgia: No religious fraternities." Alliance Defense Fund. December 5, 2006. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.
  13. ^ "Beta Upsilon Chi v. Michael F. Adams Archived 2007-02-22 at the Wayback Machine." United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. December 5, 2006.
  14. ^ The Associated Press. "Univ. of Ga. to recognize Christian fraternity Archived July 25, 2008, at Archive-It." First Amendment Center. December 10, 2006. Retrieved on April 4, 2007.
  15. ^ University of Florida chapter. "Upsilon chapter Archived 2007-10-08 at the Wayback Machine" Retrieved on November 4, 2007.
  16. ^ The Alligator. "Christian fraternity suing UF, seeking official recognition." Retrieved on June 24, 2008.
  17. ^ Speak Up (website) "[2]" Retrieved on February 3rd, 2015
  18. ^ Beta Upsilon Chi, Upsilon chapter at the University of Florida v. J. Bernard Machen, in his official capacity as President of the University of Florida.]" Retrieved on November 19, 2010.
  19. ^ Alliance Defense Fund. "Beta Upsilon Chi, Upsilon chapter at the University of Florida v. Machen, et al. Archived 2008-12-20 at the Wayback Machine" Alliance Defense Fund. July 10, 2007. Retrieved on November 4, 2007.
  20. ^ "Article 404 - Gainesville Sun - Gainesville, FL".
  21. ^ The Alligator. "UF Regulation Handbook." Retrieved on July 31, 2008.
  22. ^ a b Liz Furlow, 'Former Beta Upsilon Chi members allege unfair treatment based on sexual orientation', in Vanderbilt Hustler, Nov 4, 2010 [3]
  23. ^ 'Vanderbilt Christian fraternity removes gays', in Out & About Newspaper, Nov 9, 2010 [4]
  24. ^ Hoyt, Jason. "Executive Director's Report." Beta Upsilon Chi National Newsletter. July 2005.
  25. ^ "Beta Upsilon Chi - Executive Leadership Archived 2015-06-22 at the Wayback Machine." Brothers Under Christ (website). Retrieved on June 21, 2015
  26. ^ "Contact Us Archived October 6, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Baylor Chapter (website). Retrieved on April 6, 2007.
  27. ^ "Officers Archived September 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Christian Chapter (website). Retrieved on April 6, 2007.
  28. ^ "Officers." Texas Chapter (website). Retrieved on April 6, 2007.
  29. ^ "National Summit Conference Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine." Brothers Under Christ. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.
  30. ^ a b "General Information Archived February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine." Beta Upsilon Chi. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.
  31. ^ ΒΥΧ joins NIC, as noted in the NIC News Archived 2017-06-06 at the Wayback Machine, on that date. Accessed 12 May 2017.
  32. ^ "Chapters".
  33. ^ "BYX Boards, Staff Meet." Beta Upsilon Chi National Newsletter. Spring 2009. Fort Worth, Texas: Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity.
  34. ^ "BYX to bring former member, singer for annual Island Party". TCU 360. 9 September 2011. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
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