With a home game against Michigan less than two weeks away, Ohio State has temporarily drained Mirror Lake, reports ABC 6 in Columbus. The "Mirror Lake Jump" was an annual unsanctioned Buckeye tradition until 2015, when a student died.
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In 2015, the university said they would end the annual jump after OSU student Austin Singletary died after jumping into the lake that same year. Days after the university's statement, the Undergraduate Student Government approved a resolution calling for the end of the "Mirror Lake Jump."
Ohio State released this statement over the weekend:
The safety of our campus community is always our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and with the university’s focus on safety at top of mind, Mirror Lake has been temporarily drained. The lake will be refilled at a later date.
Mirror Lake is not intended or approved for recreational use of any kind or at any time. In 2015, Undergraduate Student Government approved a resolution calling for the end of the “Mirror Lake Jump.” The recent lake restoration, as well as this week’s draining, supports the university’s compelling commitment to end the Mirror Lake jump.
Entering the lake, or empty lake basin, is both destructive and hazardous and is considered criminal trespassing. The Ohio State University Police Division is continuing to monitor the area, and public safety officials have discretion to determine appropriate enforcement action.
Public Safety thanks the university community for its patience and understanding.
