TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida State University’s iconic Westcott Fountain closed two weeks ago, and now the university is reimagining tradition by reopening it on Wednesdays for one hour only.
The fountain is a spot of a decades-long campus tradition of throwing students into the water at midnight to celebrate major events.
“Our goal is not to diminish tradition, but to sustain it in ways that allow it to continue for years to come,” the university said in a Wednesday announcement to students.
Westcott Fountain is now opening Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. but will promptly close at 7 p.m. on all other days of the week.
Officials said students can take their celebratory dip between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Wednesday as the university attempts to balance tradition and safety.
More Tallahassee news:
The fountain was initially closed nightly two weeks ago due to student behavior around the fountain, according to a social post from FSU’s student body president.
With the fountain-throwing tradition now moved to a slotted time, the midnight aspect of the celebration is no longer an option.
“We understand that the long-standing tradition has been a midnight celebration. We are actively exploring a pathway that could allow for a safe return to that timing in the future. For now, this adjusted schedule is an important step in balancing tradition with safety,” FSU said in an announcement.
The university said students should not climb or jump from the fountain and emphasized that glass bottles are not permitted near the fountain area.
According to the announcement, not following these guidelines can result in “disciplinary action and/or arrest and could jeopardize the university’s ability to continue offering this weekly opportunity in the future.”
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.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.