{"id":169150,"date":"2026-02-25T21:17:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/169150\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T21:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T21:17:15","slug":"fsu-westcott-fountain-reopening-for-throwing-tradition-on-wednesdays-for-one-hour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/169150\/","title":{"rendered":"FSU Westcott Fountain reopening for throwing tradition on Wednesdays for one hour"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida State University\u2019s iconic Westcott Fountain closed two weeks ago<\/a>, and now the university is reimagining tradition by reopening it on Wednesdays for one hour only.<\/p>\n

The fountain is a spot of a decades-long campus tradition of throwing students into the water at midnight to celebrate major events.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is not to diminish tradition, but to sustain it in ways that allow it to continue for years to come,\u201d the university said in a Wednesday announcement to students.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

The fountain was initially closed nightly two weeks ago due to student behavior around the fountain, according to a social post from FSU\u2019s student body president.<\/p>\n

With the fountain-throwing tradition now moved to a slotted time, the midnight aspect of the celebration is no longer an option.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d FSU said in an announcement.<\/p>\n

The university said students should not climb or jump from the fountain and emphasized that glass bottles are not permitted near the fountain area.<\/p>\n

According to the announcement, not following these guidelines can result in \u201cdisciplinary action and\/or arrest and could jeopardize the university\u2019s ability to continue offering this weekly opportunity in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

At the time, an online petition hoping to persuade FSU to lift the restriction gained more than 1,800 signatures.<\/a><\/p>\n

A sign discouraging students from jumping into the fountain was stolen<\/a> not long after the rule was implemented.<\/p>\n

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