By SOPHIA VERNON ’26
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, Sept 19, 2025
‘Twas a dark and stormy night: Aug. 30, 2025.
Location: The Houghton University front entrance sign.
Act: The Houghton Pisser made their first strike.
On this dreadful night, the first of eighteen TikTok videos featuring a mysterious culprit defecating on various landmarks throughout Houghton was posted. No one knows their true identity, and no one knows when they will strike next. Here are the facts…
The Houghton Pisser (HUP) is only one of a growing social media trend among school pisser social media accounts of unidentified individuals committing excretory acts around their chosen college campus. The trend began in the western region of New York with SUNY schools. The Brockport Pisser posted its first TikTok on Aug. 26 and the Oswego Pisser posted on Aug. 30. It has since spread nationwide; examples include the Baylor Pisser in Texas making their first move on Sept. 9 and the Biola Pisser in Southern California on Sept. 10.
On the first day of school, the HUP caused a ripple of conversation throughout campus, making their debut on the Houghton YikYak with a link to their TikTok profile (@hought2026) and a threat that read, “Tonight’s the night, and it’s going to happen again and again.”
The next day, another YikYak post was made: “My urge to piss is only getting stronger. Not a day goes by where I don’t wanna let loose. The Library is next. It has to happen.”
Promptly, on the night of Sept. 2, the HUP released footage on TikTok of their strike on the Willard J. Houghton Library.
When asked about conversations Rothenbuhler Resident Assistant Asher Knight ‘26 had about the HUP around campus, he said that “It’s rarely a serious conversation, although I know some people find it very gross once some of the videos started hitting close to home, such as the door to the library.”
The newest development in the Houghton Pisser Saga is the Houghton Piss Hunter (HPH), a new TikTok account (@houghton.piss.hun) dedicated to catching the HUP in action. This TikTok account made its debut on Sept. 9, with a post reading only: “I’m onto you @hought2026.”
On Sept. 13, the HPH posted grainy footage of what looked to be the HUP in action, who then made a run for it. The post was captioned: “The HU Pisser escaped my grasp. I must be one step ahead next time.”
The HUP echoed this misstep with a new post, later that same night, captioned, “I was spotted tonight. I need to be more careful in my next strikes. They’re after me.”
The cat and mouse chase continues with whispers of who the HUP could be swirling around campus. A group of sophomore students revealed who they believe the HUP to be. However, in fear of their residence being the next victim, they asked that their identities and who they suspect the HUP is remain anonymous.
How bold will the HUP be, and to what lengths will they go to make sure their identity stays a mystery?
On Sept. 15, in response to a YikYak comment from Sept. 13 stating, “Houghton pisser on top, never getting caught,” the HUP announced, “I will be going live tomorrow night at 11:00 PM, join up.”
The HUP went live at 11 p.m. on Sept. 16. The live lasted for a few minutes and documented the HUP walking and recording the ground; however, it ended shortly after that. Knight said he “assumed they were in the woods or the FOD [Field of Dreams] and got too far away from the internet.”
When asked to comment on the HUP, the Resident Director of Townhouses and Assistant Director of Housing Josh Bailey said he needed approval from Bill Burrichter, Vice President for Student Life, before answering any questions due to “something about the overarching investigation.” He has yet to make any other comments. This begs the question: Is the Houghton Pisser all in good fun? Or is there something more devious afoot? Will the truth about the Houghton Pisser ever be revealed? Will they continue to terrorize the school unbridled? Will the Houghton Pisser Hunter catch up? Or will the authorities step in and silence this offender for good?★
If you have any information on this matter, please contact Vice President for Student Life Bill Burrichter at bill.burrichter@houghton.edu.
