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TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

Students discuss religious topics in a small group. (Photo courtesy of tcuwesley.org)
Wednesday nights at TCU’s Methodist campus ministry provide religious exploration and fellowship
By Boots Giblin, Staff Writer
Published Mar 27, 2024
Students at the Wesley said they found community on Wednesday nights.

BYX alum calls resignation sign of leadership

Ryan Tiglas’s decision to step down as president of Beta Upsilon Chi is an accurate reflection of the leader he is becoming, according to a BYX and TCU alum who said he had spoken with Tiglas since his resignation Tuesday.

Tiglas has declined to comment on the matter. Forrest Broyles, BYX’s acting president, was unable to be reached for comment. Officials with the national office have not returned repeated calls for comment and no one answered the door at the home listed as the group’s headquarters.

BYX alumnus and 2008 graduate, Justin Stevens, wrote in a Facebook message that Tiglas resigned because he didn’t want to divide the fraternity and that there was no anger on either side. Tiglas stepped down late Tuesday after a lengthy, closed meeting with representatives from the Fort Worth-based fraternity.

Stevens wrote that Tiglas’s decision to step down was an accurate reflection of the leader he is becoming.

“Ryan did what he felt was right, not only for him, but also for the fraternity moving forward. I know that there is not, nor was there ever, any animosity or anger on the part of Ryan or the chapter regarding his decision. I believe this decision was made out of love for his brothers and a dedication to maintain the unity that we as brothers of Beta Upsilon Chi hold dear,” Stevens wrote.

According to a student with knowledge about the situation, in the days leading up to his resignation, some members of the fraternity apparently objected to a request from national that they not offer an opinion on the same sex marriage debate on social media.  

Two other BYX alumni contacted by TCU 360  were split over the resignation.

One BYX alumnus, who didn’t want his name used, said he supported the fraternity’s stance and that advocating for same-sex marriage is against BYX policy.

“When a student decides to join, he knows the fraternity’s policies,” he said. “If you’re a member, you have to abide by the fraternity’s national laws.”

However, BYX alumnus Brian Wooddell did not think that advocating for marriage equality went against the fraternity’s code of conduct.

“I have never heard of a policy forbidding public dissent,” said Wooddell. “My initial reaction was confusion. A significant number of alumni that I am still in contact with are concerned, some of them angry over the issue.

“The vast minority supports it, as far as my acquaintances are concerned. I have heard suggestions of withholding financial contributions and potentially removing ourselves from the alumni logs and cancelling off our alumni status.”

Wooddell also disagrees that the members were advocating gay marriage from a religious standpoint.

“Many of the members were advocating for a civil position, a political position on same-sex marriage,” said Wooddell. “Based on what I read they were not advocating for religious same-sex marriage rights, which does not violate the code of conduct.”

Stevens said he can’t separate  his religious beliefs from the same-sex marriage debate.

“My faith shapes everything about who I am, including my political views. In light of this, it is impossible for me to separate the two in my heart and head, because my spiritual values and beliefs completely shape how I view any particular political stance or issue,” Stevens said.

See below for some Twitter reactions to Tiglas's resignation.

Mary Muller contributed to this story.

 

 

 

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