Florida's Lawyers Say Christian Frat Can't Win Lawsuit

UF Lawyers Say Christian Frat Doesn't Have a Case

Lawyers at the University of Florida are saying the brothers of Beta Upsilon Chi don't have a chance to win a lawsuit alleging that the university discriminated against the Christian fraternity.

Beta Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity known as "Brothers Under Christ," says the university won't allow them to become a student organization because its members are required to be Christian. The university says such organizations must be more diverse and allow participation of any student that wants to join.

"(Beta Upsilon Chi) has not been treated differently than any other similarly situated group," the university's attorney's told the fraternity's lawyer in a letter.

The fraternity filed an official complaint July 10. It is not yet known when the lawsuit will head to court.

Beta Upsilon Chi Sues the University of Florida

Christian Frat Sues University of Fla.

The University of Florida's chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi is suing the college for refusing to recognize the fraternity as a student organization.

Beta Upsilon Chi, a Christian fraternity known as "Brothers Under Christ," says the university won't allow them to become a student organization because its members are required to be Christian. The university says such organizations must be more diverse and allow participation of any student that wants to join.

"As a Christian fraternity, (Beta Upsilon Chi) is locked out of the Florida campus," documents in the case said. "The only way Florida will recognize (the fraternity) is if it chooses to give up its identity as a men's organization or if it abandons its religious criteria for members."

"Brothers Under Christ" Set to Begin Rush at Mizzou

New Chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi on Campus

Beta Upsilon Chi, a traditionally Christian fraternity, began its first rush season last week at the University of Missouri.

As of now, the fraternity is only considered to be an organization according to the school until they join one of the four Greek councils.

The fraternity was originally started at the University of Texas in 1985 to get young men to know each other in a Christian-sort of way. Historically, the fraternity's purpose has been “to establish brotherhood and unity among college men based on the common bond of Jesus Christ.”

“Alcohol is never at any of the Beta Upsilon Chi events,” said Allan Thompson, vice president of Mizzou's Beta Upsilon Chi chapter. “We want to do something different than the typical college party.”