“Not every guy is ready for the challenge of living by one rule, attending a college for men, or learning on an intense, small-town Indiana campus. And not every guy is ready to handle the rewards either. That’s why few guys will ever be Wabash men.” This quote was taken from the last flap of the “Boys will be Boys, Men go to Wabash” recruiting folder, put together perfectly to find boys who want to take that step and challenge themselves in every way. Wabash men are all brothers united by common challenges we face Maybe it is the unifying challenge of deciding to come to Wabash, the challenge of working hard. It could also be the challenge of giving up women during the week, and sometimes even longer. Wabash men are foremost brothers of a certain rule that is not just supposed to be followed during four years on campus but until the end of days for Wabash men. During the weeks following the unfortunate incident resulting in the loss of Johnny Smith, the Gentleman’s Rule has been discussed, questioned, and defended by Wabash administration, students, and the media. If there is a problem, a good start toward finding its solution might be to reflect on these.
Problems with the Rule The Gentleman’s Rule is a tradition that has made many students very productive citizens, but some question whether the Rule has promoted a downward spiral for others. If a student makes a consequential mistake, he can expect to explain his actions to fraternity brothers or RAs, and possibly to at least one dean. Usually, unless the mistake is so great that discussion will not help, the offender will get a second (third, fourth, or fifth) chance to stay at Wabash and prove himself to be a Gentleman. For many students, the Gentleman’s rule has become a safety- net for irresponsibility. It has almost become a joke for upperclassmen to explain the Rule to visiting recruits. Freshmen come to Wabash knowing there will be no women, but that here they can do whatever they want. When they register in the fall they receive a freshman’s chance to live the life of a Wabash man. Whether this mentality proved to be fatal the night Johnny, our Wabash brother, was taken from us is a mere matter of speculation. However, if any of our Wabash brothers made a mistake that night, Johnny Smith did not wake up the next morning, and he, unlike many of us, was not given a second chance at the Gentleman’s Rule. The Gentleman’s Rule is meant to be broad yet closely read - it is meant to be followed, but it will be broken, which leads to confusion from outsiders. The Media and Outsiders to Wabash The media broke news of the tragedy not long after most students found out about it. Two days after the fateful morning the news was already investigating heavily. The Indianapolis Star would go on to report that Smith’s mother, Stacy Smith, was told her son was found face down in a pool of vomit. Much of the media also claimed that Johnny told his family that he was being pressured to drink alcohol. The Star even discussed other schools and programs the schools provide to prevent drinking accidents. I suggest the media should stop investigating crimes under assumptions, and start telling or printing the news. Students Many students have been very outspoken in conversation since this event, as well they should be. I hear questions considering why or how this could happen. More importantly, I hear answers to the problems alcohol creates, and I hear students making such claims as follow: “Just allow Crawfordsville Police to come in.” “We have to start being stricter on other students.” I’m not a fan of either. I suspect the latter was thrown out simply because the Gentleman’s Rule lacks bite: something or someone to hold it up and keep people from ignoring and abusing it. Still, this would defeat the whole purpose of being a Wabash Man. It would remove a dangerous amount of personal responsibility. Another common claim: “We need to have alcohol education programs.” That depends on what type of programs and where. If such programs were simply to inform Wabash students on not drinking or drinking moderately, or even a talk on how to take care of an intoxicated individual, then I support them. But merely standing at orientation and exlaining to students why drinking is prohibited would be a bore and an insult. One last claim: “No matter what we try to do, things won’t change.” Maybe things won’t, but not trying goes against something every Wabash Man believes: Wabash Always Fights. Now is time to start solving this problem amongst ourselves, and, at some point, through getting many wrong answers we may come up with the right solution. The Administration It is difficult to measure the effects the administration had with an investigation still ongoing. But a few things are notable. An email wasn’t sent to campus about the incident until almost a day later. Dean Raters stood up against other organizations and said that orientation classes are designed to help students understand that legality restricts them from drinking. He then said, “The Gentleman’s Rule goes contrary to all others, because our rule speaks to contradict programs and orientation activities”. President White left everyone wanting answers about drinking and Johnny at the mandatory Chapel, and something more than telling underage students they cannot drink. This has not worked yet, so why would it now? Personal responsibility, though, always works - if taken. When opening up the folder, it seemed as if Admissions polished the Gentleman’s Rule to fit perfectly in white cursive lettering. Today, I noticed something I do not remember from before. Under the Rule it reads, “This is the rule we live by. This is what it takes to be a Wabash man.” This Rule that lacks attachments, a hard bite, or an overbearing administration has been a tradition treated with something that other schools’ policies are not treated: respect. We cannot afford to lose respect for the Gentleman’s Rule, Wabash College, or the traditions that have been bestowed on us. It is atrocious that anything like this should ever happen to an institution and community such as Wabash. While disheartening wherever it happens, Wabash must be better. It’s time to start following the Rule by showing respect to the Rule, our fellow brothers, and the community that each deserves. Does this mean that each of us needs to be perfect, freshman and senior, student and faculty? No. We will all make mistakes in our Wabash years, but the Gentleman’s Rule should be the rule by which we measure and learn from our mistakes. This responsibility is far greater than any set rules of other schools. We are men of Wabash who strive for good discussion, and I believe that here discussion should become reality and indicate the right direction by which we go forward. |
