For a campus riddled with tradition and checkmark events like Chapel Sing and National Act, current seniors have experienced an infamous “tradition” that has been a marked part of their experience at Wabash – homophobic slurs being spray painted on fraternity houses.
On December 1, 2025, brothers of Phi Kappa Psi walked downstairs to find their house trashed and vandalized. Their greek letters were covered in gold spray paint and phrases like “HAVE FUN CLEANING,” “F*** you,” “Arizona” and “I’m a p***y” marked the walls. But notably, the culprits also sprayed “F****t” and “F*g” on the walls.
“It was noon on Monday, and I walked downstairs and saw a mess on the floor, spray paint on our [Greek] letters, and the F-slur painted on our wall,” said Phi Kappa Psi President Michael Cruzado ’27. “I assume it was some form of retaliation for [stealing] composites, but I don’t know for sure.”
“We have opened an investigation and will hold any and all individuals accountable to the Gentlemen’s Rule,” said Dean of Students Scott Brown.
Rivalries between fraternities on campus often see freshmen new members, particularly at the beginning of the Fall, stealing fraternity composites and other memorabilia throughout their new memberships. Ordinarily these are harmless acts of mischief, but sometimes individuals go too far.
“Stealing composites has been a tradition, but we’re trying to steer away from it,” said Cruzado. “Composites are expensive, and they are a symbol of fraternity history. But it’s always been, ‘Give them back and don’t damage them.’”
December 1, 2025. | Photo by Michael Cruzado ’27
With homophobic slurs being a part of the vandalization, it is easy to lump this recent Gentlemen’s Rule violation in with the targeted attacks that current Wabash seniors have witnessed during their time here.
“The situations in the past were definitely targeted at certain individuals in a house,” said Cruzado. “I feel like this was just a retaliation with the use of derogatory words, rather than being targeted at an individual’s sexuality. But it is still a case of bigotry and lack of education.”
But regardless of if the slurs were used as a targeted attack towards any individuals or just as part of a more general retaliation, the use of homophobic language and vandalization are violations of the Gentlemen’s Rule.
“Wabash entrusts its students with the Gentlemen’s Rule,” said Interfraternity Council President Kyle Foster ’27. “Vandalism and slurs of any kind cross the line without question. We as a student body need to be better.”
“I want to ask those who did this to ask themselves: Would a gentleman break into another person’s house?” asked Brown. “Would a gentleman vandalize, but also use a homophobic slur…What was your goal? Is this what you want for your legacy here at Wabash?”
But regardless of the underlying reasons and ongoing investigations, Cruzado is hopeful that those responsible will learn from their mistakes.
“The people who did this know who they are,” said Cruzado. “They’re never going to step forward out of the shadows, but I hope they can reflect on their actions and grow as people. That’s what Wabash is here to do, take boys and turn them into men.”