Around 3:00 a.m. on Aug. 31, the new APSU Spirit Rock was found vandalized with the words, “F—k KA” written along the side. 

Members of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity worked to cover the profanity. 

Assistant Executive Director for Advancement and Editor of The Kappa Alpha Journal, Jesse S. Lyons, said Kappa Alpha Order was thankful for the members of AGR: 

“We have spoken with our chapter. We want to thank our friends with Alpha Gamma Rho for painting over the vulgar comment made in connection with our organization as an apparent prank in painting the spirit rock. We know this is not indicative of the APSU community nor is it the intent of the University’s installation of the Spirit Rock. We wish everyone good luck with the beginning of school and we wish our fellow Greeks good luck in recruitment.” 

President of the Student Organization Council, Ari Ruiz, made a comment about incident. 

“I was disappointed to hear about the Spirit Rock,” Ruiz said. “However, I sincerely thank the gentlemen who took it upon themselves to cover up the message. This is the type of student ownership I am most proud to see.” 

According to an email sent from PeayLink, the Spirit Rock was unveiled by SOC and Student Life and Engagement via Facebook Live on Monday, Aug. 28. The 200 million-year-old piece of limestone was placed on campus as a donation from Vulcan Materials Company to provide a creative outlet for students and to show, “Peay Pride.” 

“I want everyone to know that SOC’s intention for the rock is to create a positive space for APSU Student and departments to promote themselves and showcase events on campus,” Ruiz said. 

Many students took to various social media platforms to voice their opinions about the defacement of the rock. 

According to Ruiz, there have been no changes to the Spirit Rock guidelines. 

“There has been no change to the spirit rock guidelines at this point. If you have any concerns, please feel free to talk to us located in the Office of Student Life and Engagement.”