Nationally known Christian social fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi, otherwise known as BYX, is hoping to be recognized by USC’s Fraternity Council.
Several USC students, who say they're looking to celebrate their Christian faith, wanted to find a way to do so in the form of a brotherhood by establishing a chapter here in Columbia.
The national board of Beta Upsilon Chi recently recognized these students as the Alpha Phi chapter of BYX, and they initiated 18 men into the fraternity.
According to the national website, BYX “exists for the purpose of establishing brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.”
Stephen Lynch, vice president of the Alpha Phi Chapter, played a significant role in founding the chapter this past summer with fraternity president and good friend Ladd Platt.
“I had looked at some of the campus ministries at USC and I really had wished there was a solid Christian fraternity that I could join so when he [Ladd] came to me about this I was really really excited to help him out with that ... We started advertising ... and recruited four other guys to become the six officers of the fraternity,” Lynch said.
While they are considered a social fraternity, BYX members say they stray from traditional fraternities on campus in that they emphasize the importance of their fraternity being a brotherhood of Christian men in addition to practicing the social aspects of a fraternity.
BYX plans to host social events such as tailgating at football games and functions, but advocates for dry events.
President of Fraternity Council Joe Stuhrenberg is optimistic about the possible addition to fraternity life at USC.
“They will have to be voted in by a majority of the current 26 members of Fraternity Council ... I do think that they have a good infrastructure and a sound plan going forward.” Stuhrenberg said.
The Alpha Phi Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi could be recognized by USC as a student organization in just a matter of weeks, and the chapter plans to participate in spring rush.