A rumor that new cameras have been installed in the tower to prevent students from breaking in, has been found false. The university hasn't installed any new cameras around East College, and Angie Nally, Director of Public Safety can't figure out why the rumor started.
"The camera has been up for years," said Nally.
A construction crew working on the sidewalk outside of East College facing the Union Building led to a rumor among students that the university placed new cameras around East College. These cameras were thought to stop students from climbing up to the East College bell tower. The construction crew was trimming back bushes around the building.
Nally warned about the dangers of climbing to the top; students need to take caution before attempting to reach the top of the bell tower. She said it is "exceptionally dangerous."
Aside from personal injury, Nally said that climbing up to the bell tower is considered unauthorized entry. If caught the violator could face charges of criminal mischief on top of the unauthorized entry through DePauw and the state.
Senior Polly Haight said climbing up the bell tower hadn't crossed her mind until the rumor started that a camera was in place to stop her.
"I think a lot of other hallmarks on campus are sought after, like Boulder Runs," Haight said.
Haight said she had heard that climbing was dangerous and would encourage students not to attempt to climb.
"I don't even know how to get up there," Haight said. "Being a science major I'm restricted to Julian."
Nally said in the last four years no DePauw student has been caught entering or exiting the bell tower.
One senior successfully climbed to the top of the bell tower during his sophomore year with two other friends, none of whom got caught.
"It was the end of that year, and we were talking about how great [climbing to the top] was," he said. "We just sat there and talked."
The hardest part about climbing to the top was cutting the pad lock on the door leading from the hall into the tower, which he said he did not do.
"All the stairs and ladder are in place," he said. "Students are known to break down the door."
He thought making the dangerous trip to the top was a safe event and many would enjoy it.
"[The bell tower] has the most beautiful view of campus," he said. "It definetly is on a lot of bucket lists for students."