Campus Unity at Wabash College

Nathaniel Butts, Adam Hilliard, and William Rolfson

Our topic for this project is independent - fraternal relations at the intersect of campus Unity. For this subject we picked two events from the history of the student body of Wabash college by Ross Dillard that demonstrate unity on campus, specifically the relationship between Independent men, fraternal organizations, and minority communities on campus. These topics include the Campus Unity Walk on October 12, 2021 and the creation and development of the Independent Men’s Association (IMA). We decided that these two subjects were two of the most important things that have happened for campus unity over the course of Wabash’s history, and the necessity of both topics arose from similar behavior and treatment of groups on Wabash’s campus.

The first event that we will talk about is the creation of the IMA. The IMA is an organization to promote the welfare of the independent men of Wabash. Historically, throughout our research we have discovered that Independent men had been underrepresented in the social and political life at Wabash college. Independent men lacked the power of voice when attempting to have problems and grievances attended to within the political landscape of the institution,  unlike fraternal organizations that had dominated the socio political landscape of the college for decades, due to the conglomerate of organization within fraternities, for instance the IFC (interfraternal council). Voices were clearly unheard from independent men at Wabash, and one of the solutions was the IMA. The IMA constitution was ratified on May 7,1946, stating the cause for the organization was to “further those interests common to the majority of the above named students”. These students were ones that did not belong to a fraternity.Over the course of its history, it has provided independent men the opportunity to be involved in things that they were not involved in prior to the creation of the organization. These include dances, Panhellenic, It was and is important for these men to be fairly represented in order to improve their experience at Wabash College.

In a similar way, the Campus Unity Walk was born out of necessity. In the fall semester of 2021-2022 academic year, there was a wine bottle thrown through a window with a Black Lives Matter sign that belonged to a black student, breaking the window and spreading glass in their room. This prompted the Campus Unity Walk. Just like discrimination against independent men had to be addressed by the creation of the IMA, the Campus Unity Walk was used to bring attention to discrimination and racism towards black students at Wabash. This issue is not new to black students, and since comfortability on campus is necessary for success, the problem needs to be fixed. This walk was to show solidarity with these students that have experienced discrimination. Over the course of Wabash history, little has been done to promote the comfort of black students on campus compared to what could be done. One thing that was done however, was the creation of the Malcolm X Institute. The institute was to allow black students to have a space on campus where they were comfortable, but the motives of the college have been questioned for various reasons.

Barb Association 1883.jpg

Barb Association 1883

The Barb association was founded in 1883 and was the initial founding of an Independent men's association on campus, which was prompted by the need for the concerns of independent students to be heard in student government and to the administration. The Barb association would go on to take several different names until it evolved into the IMA or (Independent Men's Association). Prior to the founding of the Barb Association independent men had little avenue to voice their concerns or issues on campus, with student government being dominated by mostly fraternal organizations like the IFC (interfraternal council). The Barb association provided the small sect of those living independently on or off campus with one united voice as independent men.

Association of Independent Men 1920.jpg

Association of Independent Men 1920

The Association of Independent Men is yet another organazation that was made up of independent men or those who were not associated with a fraternity. This association was the second organization for man that emerged after the disappearance of the Barb Association. This association was found in the W Book which was similar to a yearbook. The associations main purpose was to promote the interests of independent men on campus. The association gave organizational power to the independents and even went as far to meet every two weeks and create club rooms for independents to enjoy.

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Wabash College Independent Association Constitution 1946

This constitution once again presents yet another independent association that was ratified in 1946. This is the first constitution that emerged form any independent association which signifies the growing structure and importance of the association. The constitution lays out the many roles of the association and very specifically declares their duties to the association. The constitution gives the association a solid structure to follow and is something that the independent associations never looked back from. Understanding todays IMA and their structure it seems somewhat similar.

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Independent Men's Association/Phi Delt/K Sig Christmas Formal Dance Card 1954

This formal invitation was one of several dances that were put on by collaboration with both Independent and fraternal organizations. Something prior to the start of these events was not common, fraternal organization typically only collaborated with other fraternal organizations. Ultimately due to the growing number of independent students on campus, and membership in the IMA (independent Men's Association) growing. These types of collaboration events and all campus events started to become more popular as many independent men felt discluded in campus life, which is critical to the Wabash experience. The more involved men are campus are the more likely they are to have a good Wabash experience and make lasting connections.

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Report on the Quality of Independent Life (Feb. 1979)

This report on the quality of independent life at Wabash was a much need undertaking as rates of independent retention and general wellbeing were noticeable lower than their fraternal counterparts. The report detailed many issues that were prominent in the independent mens community, from food, social life, and community involvement. It provided real hard data that was then utilized in order to better campus life for Independent men. It also prompted the expansion of Independent organizations that had fallen out of favor like the IMA. With renewed support for the programs and interest peaked this report moved independent living into a new era for Wabash men.

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Campus Unity Walk 2021

Pictured is Leo Warbington, organizer of Wabash college’s first unity walk which took place in the wake of an incident of racially motivated vandalism. The walk brought together over 300 Wabash men from all sects of campus, fraternal men, members of the MXI (Malcolm X Institute), independent men, and members and supporters of our various LGBTQ+ clubs on campus like SHOUT. The walk really represents progress and how close our community at Wabash has become over the years in the light of many social and political issues. It brought people of different political, social, and ideological backgrounds together in support of a fellow Wabash man and the principles that Wabash stands for.