New chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi on campus

By Mallory Redinger

Published Jan. 26, 2007

During the next few days, members of the new official organization, Beta Upsilon Chi fraternity, will begin rush. Although it's often called a Christian fraternity, MU still considers the new chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi an organization at the moment.

Interfraternity Council spokesman Jeffrey Beeson said in order for Beta Upsilon Chi to become a part of Greek life, it would need to apply to one of the four Greek councils on campus. These councils are IFC, the Multicultural Greek Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Panhellenic Association.

Beeson said though Beta Upsilon Chi is still new, it sounds like a promising organization.

"I see nothing wrong with them coming on as an organization," Beeson said.

In the spring of 1985, students started the first Beta Upsilon Chi chapter at the University of Texas with the hope of giving men on campus the opportunity to get to know others and identify through the Christian faith.

MU chapter Vice President Allan Thompson said historically the fraternity's purpose has been "to establish brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ."

Thompson said he and his friends got the idea to start the Christian fraternity after they heard about it from a friend at the University of Oklahoma.

Although movies such as "Animal House" have idealized the party mentality of fraternities, Thompson said Beta Upsilon Chi hopes to dispel this myth while opening the minds of students to the Christian religion.

Thompson said people join this group, to have a bond with people and to get away from the stigma and negative connotation associated with fraternities.

"Alcohol is never at any of the Beta Upsilon Chi events," Thompson said. "We want to do something different than the typical college party."

Even though the fraternity consists of only 14 men, Thompson said more students have shown an interest in joining.

At OU, Beta Upsilon Chi is one of the larger fraternities on campus. Like chapters at other campuses, the fraternity hopes to throw an Island Party in the spring. Island Parties are an evangelical event for the entire community, which usually consists of entertainment, bands and food.