Jan. 22, 2003

Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.

Campus whistle runs out of steam

UPDATE: KU to install and test new steam whistle April 25

UPDATE: Gift from Lawrence surgeon and his wife puts KU steam whistle back in business

LAWRENCE -- The steam whistle at the University of Kansas will be out of service indefinitely due to damages it sustained today, officials announced.

The whistle, located on top of the campus power plant, which is next door to the Facilities and Operations offices at 1503 Sunflower Road, became detached from the power plant structure shortly after sounding at 9:20 this morning, said Doug Riat, director of Facilities and Operations at KU.

The damage to the whistle, which is more than 60 years old, most likely was the result of recurring problems and not weather related, he said.

"It had some cracks in it previously and we did some repairs on it over the summer," Riat said. "But the problems have persisted and now the whistle is irreparable."

Officials have yet to determine whether replacing the whistle is a possibility, he said.