The Chi Omega fountain: for those up to no good
CIRCLE OF MISCHIEF
KIT LEFFLER
by Malinda Osborne
Just because they were his friends didn't mean Adam Shaner was going to let them bind his legs without a fight.
The whole ordeal started when, in accordance with his scholarship hall's unofficial birthday celebration procedure, his peers dunked him in the Chancellor's fountain. But the Manhattan junior's friends had not yet satisfied their desire to get him soaking wet. Around 9 p.m., Shaner was in the back of a pick-up truck, his feet tied together, on the way to be dumped in the Chi Omega fountain.
Shaner managed to unbind his legs and, when his friends went to unload him, he took off in a dead sprint. Without any shoes, he ran across campus. On the way home, he ran into the others from his hall.
"I tried to change course but they were pretty close so I dove in the bushes and got this huge gash on my back," he says. "They still got me though and ended up throwing me in the fountain."
Over the years, the Chi Omega fountain has served as a haven for scantily clad sunbathers, birthday baptizers and sauced streakers. But few
students know the history behind the legendary, all-purpose water park.
As a Chi Omega myself, I know I took more pride in that fountain than in the sorority. That's probably why most Chi Omegas begrudge that the sorority doesn't actually own the fountain.
In 1955, the sorority donated the 18th-century English-style fountain to the University of Kansas as a memorial to the chapter's founders. At the time of construction, the fountain cost $10,000.
Mike LaBonte works for Facilities Operations and is in charge of cleaning the fountain. He cleans the fountain at least once a week unless it's vandalized, which he says has happened more times than he can remember. LaBonte says clothes commonly are left around the area.
To give it flair, the fountain's copper second tier is covered in reliefs depicting the Greek myth of Persephone, which is part of the sorority's heritage.
Over the years, the 5,300 gallon water dispenser has been filled with everything from dish washing detergent and Tang to purple dye from visiting K-Staters.
The KU Public Safety Office isn't primarily concerned with streakers or
waders, Chief Ralph Oliver says. But,
"There shouldn't be any unauthorized individuals in the fountain because it is just that: a fountain," Oliver says. "It's
not a swimming pool. It's a decoration of the University."
What they don't tell you, though, is that you can legally be in the bottom part of the fountain, just not on any of the raised — and arguably more fun — portions.
to put a stack of towels in the room adjacent to the front entryway for the "naked fraternity pledges that are thrown in the fountain," according to
Many years ago, a pineapple-shaped water dispenser used to sit atop the fountain. It's no longer there — KU officials got tired of replacing it when it was stolen.
Oliver says the part most frequently tampered with is the top copper sprayer. It costs $25 to replace.
"THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY UNAUTHORIZED INDIVIDUALS IN THE FOUNTAIN BECAUSE IT IS JUST THAT: A FOUNTAIN. IT'S NOT A SWIMMING POOL. IT'S A DECORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY." CHIEF RALPH OLIVER, KU PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICE
Another classic fountain activity — besides trying to tear it apart involves getting naked in its shallow, murky waters. During the mid-'70s, nude visitors became so frequent that the Chi Omega housemother decided
chapter records.
The tradition of streakers continues strong, says current Norma Doleshal, Chi Omega house mother. She remembers a time last year when a swarmoffraternity pledges were stripped down and dumped by
the fountain. An announcement was made throughout the house that naked men were in the fountain, Doleshal says, mostly for the benefit of sophomores who just moved in. Soon afterwards, she says, she heard what sounded like a herd of elephants in the house as the girls rushed to get a better view. One girl even had recently emerged from the shower and remained clad in a bath towel.
"I don't think the boys realize how much the girls look out the windows," she says.
Plenty of people probably were looking when Collin Chlebak, Rowlett, Texas, junior, went to the fountain on Stop Day eve last spring semester. While being carted home from the bars he told the driver to stop so he could friclic in the fountain with his friends and some girls they were with that night.
"I was already down to my boxers when I got in the fountain and the cops showed up. I was pretty intoxicated so I ran but then they put the spotlight on me." Chlebak says.
At that point, he was directly in front of the Chi Omega house. Police questioned him and ran a background check on him. When he was cleared, the police left and Chlebak walked home by himself, soaked and clad only in his boxers.
So while Chlebak and Shaner may have been resigned to a solitary walk home, they are not alone in having memories made at the Chi Omega fountain. Wading in its waters is a time-honored KU tradition that will continue with each class.
04. 13.2006 JAYPLAY <07