Beta Upsilon Chi
From Greekopedia | The Fraternity & Sorority Encylopedia
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| Name: | Beta Upsilon Chi |
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| NAME | Beta Upsilon Chi |
| LETTERS | ΒΥΧ |
| FOUNDING DATE | Spring 1985 |
| FOUNDING UNIVERSITY | University of Texas |
| TYPE | Social |
| SCOPE | National |
| EMPHASIS | Christian |
| MOTTO | Behold how good and how pleasing it is when brothers dwell together in unity! --Psalm 133:1 |
| COLORS | Purple White |
| CHAPTERS | 27 |
| HEADQUARTERS | 741 Kentucky Derby Lane Fort Worth, Texas, USA |
| WEBSITE | www.betaupsilonchi.org |
Contents |
Purpose
To establish brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.
Founding Verse
"Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." - Psalm 133:1
Origin of the Fraternity
Beta Upsilon Chi was formed at The University of Texas at Austin in the spring of 1985 by a handful of Christian men who desired an alternative to the present fraternal lifestyle. A group of Christian men met and planned the "BYX Island Party" to formally announce the fraternity's founding. It was the vision of the founding fathers to have a fraternity of committed Christian men, based on the unique brotherhood that a Christian atmosphere affords, for the purpose of fellowship and glorification of Jesus Christ. Through such events as parties, service projects, and evangelical outreaches, the charter members of Beta Upsilon Chi chose to unite in fellowship and edify Jesus Christ on the University of Texas campus.
After beginning at the University of Texas, the vision of Brothers Under Christ has spread to 25 campuses in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Kansas.
Traditions and symbols
All BYX chapters hold an Island Party each spring, celebrating its founding and sharing Christ through entertainment. Here, the Texas State Capitol dome is a backdrop to IP at Texas Alpha. 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:
- Purpose. To establish brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.
- Founding Scripture. "Behold, how good and how pleasing it is when Brothers to dwell together in Unity!" --Psalm 133:1
- Colors. Purple and white.
- Signature event. Island Party
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 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, TCU Beta
- David Daniels, Texas Alpha
- Brett Williams, Texas A&M Gamma
- Cody Dick, TCU 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&M Gamma
- Drew Christman, Texas A&M Gamma
- Jared Musgrove, Oklahoma Kappa
- Caleb Martin, Oklahoma Kappa
- Dillon Barker, Vanderbilt Nu
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 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).
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.
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. 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.
