TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida State University’s iconic Westcott fountain is now closed nightly from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m..
The university says the closure is a safety measure.
On Thursday, FSU’s student body president posted a statement on social media, saying students have been behaving more dangerously around the fountain, which is the spot for a decades-long campus tradition of throwing people into the water to celebrate major events.
“For generations, the Westcott Fountain has been one of the most meaningful traditions at Florida State. Going into the fountain on your 21st birthday is a tradition that connects us to the students who came before us and to those who will come after us. Right now, that tradition is at risk,” the statement reads.
According to the student government, students have been climbing and jumping off the fountain and risking serious injury, which they say could mean losing the tradition.
Connor Lloyd, an FSU sophomore, said losing the tradition would be disappointing.
“It would definitely suck because I haven’t turned 21 yet, so I would love to be able to do it. It’s just something that everyone does literally every night at midnight. There’s people getting tossed in and celebrating,” Lloyd said.
FSU says it’s in talks with the student government about safe ways to continue the tradition.
Florida State University is committed to upholding beloved university traditions; however, the safety and well-being of our campus community is our top priority.To promote the personal safety of our community, the Westcott Fountain will remain closed nightly from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., until further notice.This decision follows repeated instances of noncompliance with university directives that prohibit climbing the fountain. This action is designed to promote compliance and responsible behavior.University officials are actively engaging with campus stakeholders, including students, to identify effective ways to maintain the safe aspects of our traditions. We applaud Student Body President Carson Dale for his leadership and his commitment to the safety of all students, and we encourage everyone to read President Dale’s message in its entirety.We look forward to a date when we can resume this university tradition safely and appropriately.
In 2022, the university discouraged students from taking part in the decades-long campus tradition of throwing people into the fountain. The decision generated passionate pushback from students and alumni.
At the time, an online petition hoping to persuade FSU to lift the restriction gained more than 1,800 signatures.
A sign discouraging students from jumping into the fountain was stolen not long after the rule was implemented.
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