Kappa Upsilon Chi

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ΚΥΧ - Kappa Upsilon Chi
The Fraternal Crest of Kappa Upsilon Chi.
Motto "As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another" - Proverbs 27:17
Colors Blue (Leadership under Christ), Green (Growth under Christ) and White (Purity under Christ)
Symbol Knight
Flower No Flower
Founded February 5, 1993 at Texas Tech University
Type Social Christian
Scope United States
Headquarters PO Box 8998 (Zip=79114-8998)
Amarillo, Texas, USA
Chapters 11 (9 Active, 3 colonies, and 7 interest groups)
Homepage KYX Nationals

Kappa Upsilon Chi (Keeping Under Christ or ΚΥΧ) is a National Christian fraternity composed of Christian collegians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Contents

[edit] History

The Alpha Chapter in 1995 at Texas Tech University.
The Alpha Chapter in 1995 at Texas Tech University.

Kappa Upsilon Chi was founded at Texas Tech University in 1993 in response to a demand on campus for a Christian fraternity after the founding of a Sigma Phi Lambda Christian sorority chapter for women. Four men sought out to found the fraternity in the winter of 1993 as a male-only equivalent. Kappa Upsilon Chi has grown to reach five states, initiate over 1,000 men and it has inspired the founding of Theta Alpha and Delta Alpha Chi, two other Christian sororities.

The men had originally sought to start a chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi or Brothers Under Christ which had been founded at the University of Texas in 1985. For differing reasons the colonization effort was not pursed and them men instead started the new organization. Darren White, an Alpha pledge class member, was an initiate of the Texas Tech chapter of Phi Gamma Delta and had previous experience with Greek Letter Organizations. White's pledge class consisted of thirteen men brought in to help the four founders. He helped the four founders with the elements of Greek ritual. Others assisted in the formation of the organization and in the end, the Alpha Chapter was established.

[edit] Expansion beyond Lubbock

The first move from a local fraternity to a national fraternity occurred in the fall of 1995 when 12 men established a Beta chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi at Wayland Baptist University. The next move did not happen until 1999 when eighteen men from Southwestern University began the Gamma Chapter. KYX has managed stable growth, expanding to its fifth state in 2004 with six new colonization sites setting up currently. More information is available later in the article.

[edit] Incorporation

The national organization of the Fraternity was incorporated on February 5, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas by the nine members of the National Board of Directors. Approximately six campuses are attempting to bring Kappa Upsilon Chi to their schools as a ministry. These campuses are listed later in the article. [1]

[edit] About Kappa Upsilon Chi

Kappa Upsilon Chi stands for Keeping Under Christ and uses the following Biblical reference as a foundation for the meaning of their name:

“Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the morning if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me; your right hand will hold me fast. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” - Psalms 139: 7-10, 17-18

Kappa Upsilon Chi seeks to grow its members internally through accountability groups, prayer nights, service projects and brotherhood events. Kappa Chi seeks to have an influence on the community through the giving of a tithe, service projects, philanthropy and outreach.

Kappa Chi has associate members, active members and alumni members. [2]

[edit] The Ministry of Keeping Under Christ

Brothers from the Kappa Chapter as the famous "Garnet and Gold" Boys at a Florida State University football game.
Brothers from the Kappa Chapter as the famous "Garnet and Gold" Boys at a Florida State University football game.

Definition of a Fraternity

A fraternity is an association of men, selected in their college days by a democratic process, because of their adherence to common ideals and aspirations. Out of their association arises a personal relationship which makes them unselfishly seek to advance one another in the arts of life and to add to the formal instruction of the college curriculum, the culture, and the character which men acquire by contact with great personalities, or when admitted to partnership in great traditions. A fraternity too is of such character that after men have left college they delight to renew their own youth by continued association with it and to bring their richest experiences back to the younger generation in part payment of the debt which they feel themselves to owe to the fraternity for what is gave them in their formative years. - Newton D. Baker (Johns Hopkins 1892)

The Christian Response

Kappa Upsilon Chi is a fraternity in all of these respects, but has been taken a step father than that of a standard fraternity. We are bound by friendship, honor, and common interests. However, we are first and foremost bound by the love of Jesus Christ, God's son, our Savior. Because of this we can do all things. - Darren White (Alpha Chapter - Alpha Class)

[edit] Internal Growth

Accountability Groups - Kappa Upsilon Chi believes firmly in Christian accountability and because of this, each chapter assigns brothers into small groups for accountability that meet each week. These groups are not meant to be means of disciplinary actions but of Christian edification. These groups are designed to facilitate discipleship, accountability and to foster communication among brothers

Prayer Nights - Each chapter holds at least three prayer nights each semester on campus where brothers connect through prayer and lift up their chapters and their campus.

Brotherhood Retreat - Each chapter has a retreat each semester designed to solidify the bonds of brotherhood. These retreats are usually held in a State or National park to get away from the distractions of modern technology.

Requirements - Every active brother and pledge must attend a local church regularly as well as be involved in a campus Bible study.

Kappa Chi brothers are involved across their campuses. Here an Alpha Chapter brother plays Lacrosse for Texas Tech University.
Kappa Chi brothers are involved across their campuses. Here an Alpha Chapter brother plays Lacrosse for Texas Tech University.

[edit] External Growth

Service Projects - Kappa Upsilon Chi chapters are believers in service to others to help stoke the fires in the community and turn hearts on fire for Jesus Christ.

Campus Involvement - Kappa Upsilon Chi encourages brothers to be involved in other campus activities along for Christian and Non-Christian groups. This is including but not limited to Student Government, Campus Ministry Leadership, Varsity Sports Teams, Honor Societies, Campus Outreach Organizations and any other extracurricular activity that could be used for relationship evangelism. [3]

Turkey Fry and Late Knight - The signature events of each Kappa Chi chapter is holding a large scale event on campus once a year for evangelism. These events raise awareness for Kappa Chi, salvation in Christ and usually raise money for Christian Charities.

[edit] Unique facts about Kappa Upsilon Chi

This is another example of Kappa Chi brothers believing in being involved on their campus. Here a Theta Chapter brother plays Water Polo for the University of Florida.
This is another example of Kappa Chi brothers believing in being involved on their campus. Here a Theta Chapter brother plays Water Polo for the University of Florida.

Fraternity Colors: Kappa Upsilon Chi has three official colors: royal, green and white. The color royal represents leadership under Christ's reign over the fraternity, the color green represents growth under Christ and the color white represents purity under Christ. The color royal was debated between the traditional royal (a vivid purple) and the color royal blue but was ultimately, over time decided that the color was royal blue.

Fraternity Mascot: The Fraternity mascot, the Knight was adopted in 1995 and represents a quest for ideals. The mascot is only used for promotion purposes.

Pledge Beads: Pledges must keep up with their Pledge Beads (a set of royal, green and white beads seven beads long) during their pledgeship. They are not to take them off for any reason, at any time.

Active Cross: The mark of an initiated brother in the fratenrity is that the brother wears an "Active Cross" which is given after initiation.

Open Motto: "As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17

Turkey Fry: Every chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi has the Turkey Fry as their "signature" social event. Some chapters use the Turkey Fry to raise money for local charities or as a philanthropic event.

Purpose Statement: Kappa Upsilon Chi exists for several reasons. Our greatest desire is to glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We also seek to uphold and maintain Biblical Christian standards, to be an influence in the community through servant lifestyles, to pursue a positive attitude and spirit, and to help others strengthen their academic achievement, enabling them to be what the Lord calls them to be. We do this by submitting to the Lord, our God, and allowing Him to direct our lives as Psalm 139:23-24 states, "Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." We seek solely to do the will of God. [4]

[edit] The Organization

Kappa Upsilon Chi officially incorporated as Keeping Under Christ on Feb. 5, 2006 Super Bowl Sunday in San Antonio, Texas. The first ever Board of Directors was appointed and Mike Eaton was elected the first chairman. This board is currently in the process of establishing new chapters, a new national homepage and promoting the ministry. The board is also in the process of transforming Keeping Under Christ, Inc. into a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees the National Organization of Kappa Upsilon Chi and approves all programming and decisions made by the Fraternity. They also ensure the day-to-day operations of the ministry are flowing in an appropriate fashion.

National BOD member Alma Mater
Brian Alley Texas Tech University Alpha
Matthew Carter Texas Tech University Alpha
Mike Eaton Texas Tech University Alpha
Kevin Hail Texas Tech University Alpha
Brian Rasmussen Texas Tech University Alpha
Aaron Rohre Southwestern University Gamma
Chris Schwab Texas Tech University Alpha
Brent Webster Southwestern University Gamma
Randy Wiesehan Texas Tech University Alpha

Chapters (All Information from Kappa Upsilon Chi National Statistics)

Active Chapters

Future Chapters

Prospective Chapters

Campuses where the chapter formation process is currently active:

[edit] Chapter Structure

Each chapter is divided into different groups to form a hierarchy that can ensure that the day-to-day mission of Keeping Under Christ, Inc. is kept. The chapter is divided into an officer corps, an active body and a pledge classes each semester. Also, each chapter runs on a constitutional committee system. This system creates a series of committees made up of actives and pledges that organizes the functionality of the chapter under the direction of a specific officer. The officers are in charge of all scheduling, all activities, programming and ritual.

There are six officer positions in Kappa Upsilon Chi. There is the president, the external vice president, internal vice president, chaplain, secretary and treasurer.

[edit] National Leadership Summit

Each year, to maintain national unity, the officers from each chapter meet at the National Leadership Summit in Weatherford, Texas to induct new chapters and establish consistency for all chapters. At the Leadership Summitt, all major decisions regarding the Fraternity are made and the National Board of Directors informs the entire body of the changes made in the past year along with establishing a Strategic Plan for the next year.

[edit] Expansion

Kappa Upsilon Chi expands every year to new campuses. To start a new chapter, a potential colony must show interest and contact the fraternity's National Board of Directors (chapter.expansion@kyx.org) and fill out the appropriate paperwork. A telephone or in-person interview will follow and it will be decided whether a chapter can or cannot be established. If a potential colony is invited to become an official colony, they will come to the National Leadership Summit in August of that year and be inducted into the Fraternity. The men will pledge for one semester and then be initiated by an appointed group of brothers, usually the closest full chapter.

[edit] New Chapter Expansion

New Chapter Expansion was recently amended by the National Board of Directors at their August 3, 2006 meeting in Weatherford, Texas. The new process will individually evaluate each campus, judge the potential for success of the colonization process and then implement a year-long plan for development.

The Lambda colony opened this past January in Orlando, FL at the University of Central Florida while the Nu colony at the University of Tennessee and the Mu colony at Clemson University will open the fall 2007 semester.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.kyx.org/nationals/history.htm
  2. ^ This can be found on Kappa Upsilon Chi's national Web site at http://www.kyx.org/nationals/symbols.htm
  3. ^ http://www.kyx.org/nationals/ministry.htm
  4. ^ http://www.kyx.org/nationals/symbols.htm

[edit] External links

Christian fraternities

Christian Fraternities
National, social Greek letter organizations for Christian men
Twenty or more chapters:

Beta Upsilon Chi, 1985
Ten or more chapters:

Sigma Theta Epsilon, 1925 | Alpha Nu Omega, 1988 | Kappa Upsilon Chi, 1993
Less than ten chapters:

Alpha Gamma Omega, 1927 | Chi Alpha Omega, 1987 | Gamma Phi Delta, 1988 | Men of God, 1999
Alpha Iota Omega, 1999 | Mu Omicron Gamma, 2001
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