money Florida State University’s Westcott Fountain could be turned on again by week's end
The Westcott Fountain that usually pumps jets of water into the air at Florida State University has been sitting dry in front of the equally iconic Westcott Building.
Don't worry, though: Not for long.
“The plan is to refill the fountain on Friday and resume its normal operation,” FSU spokeswoman Amy Farnum-Patronis said.
The university discovered a plumbing issue with the pipe that feeds water to the Westcott Fountain and is working to resolve the issue. As the university makes some unexpected repairs, the fountain has been temporarily out of service.
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Initially installed in 1917, the fountain has been on the university’s campus for over a century, symbolizing heritage and paying homage to those who came before its establishment.
The Westcott area is a popular spot on campus for FSU students to have their graduation photoshoots before the semester's commencements ceremonies, where they often pose in front of the fountain with their caps and gowns.
Among the traditions associated with the fountain is the long-standing (and decidedly unofficial) tradition of FSU students getting dunked into the fountain on their 21st birthday. The common saying is that “you’re not truly a Florida State Seminole until you have been thrown into the Westcott Fountain.”
Many students did not get to celebrate that milestone at the fountain this past week due to it being temporarily out of service. Instead, some students decided to get thrown into the Legacy Fountain on Landis Green as an alternative.
A sign next to the fountain displays a brief history of the fountain and an additional message: “In an effort to ensure safety, preserve our heritage and maintain our historical landmarks, FSU explicitly prohibits anyone from entering or putting any object into the Westcott Fountain.”
The university expects to complete all repairs and have the entire plaza back in service before the President’s Ring Ceremony on April 6, when students are presented their class ring and dip it into the Westcott Fountain afterward.
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSUs Westcott Fountain has been off for repairs, could be back on soon
