Committee votes in favor of tubes to enclose fountain water stream

Photo Courtesy of Ben Holmes NOT A FENCE: A mock-up of the proposed cylinder. The Architectural and Landscape Design and Planning committee approved the proposal Friday.

By Kurt Esposito
Summer Editor

The Architectural and Landscape Design and Planning committee voted Friday to accept the proposal to construct a 10 and half foot stainless cylinder in the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture.

The plans for the cylinder, which were proposed by the fountain advisory committee, still have to be reviewed by the Resources Policy committee and vice president for physical facilities Wayne Kjonaas.

Graham Cooks, professor of chemistry and member of the committee, said the cylinder could be constructed before the start of the fall semester.

The planning committee voted 8-1 to approve the report submitted by the advisory committee. Cooks' vote was the only dissent.

"(I voted against it) for the same reason that people have been opposed to this all along: People are responsible for their own actions," he said.

He said even though he voted against the report, he supports the decision of the committee. "The overwhelming majority felt something needed to be done. Not doing anything was no longer an option."

"I don’t think this is worth fighting anymore. I think it's time to put it behind us," he said. "I think this is OK."

When constructed over the water jets in the center of the sculpture, located in front of the Hovde Hall of Administration, the cylinder would prevent direct access to the stream of water while still allowing interaction. The structure would be 32 inches in diameter and covered with a mirrored-finish that would reflect the surrounding Purdue Mall.

Robert Youngman, the designer of the fountain, originally proposed the cylinder as an alternative to the fences proposed to be built around the fountains.

The fences were planned as a safety measure to prevent people from being injured in the fountain.

Last summer a girl was taken to the hospital for a broken arm and other injuries have been reported.

Mark Stidham, a senior in the Schools of Engineering, said, "I think it's going to look extremely out of place."

He said he sees no difference between the cylinder and the fences.

He said he sees no reason why the University needs any kind of safety device, when many cities — including Lafayette — have fountains without any types of devices designed to keep people out. He said the University should get insurance to decreases their liability.

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