The Valentine’s Day kiss at the clock tower tradition is returning this year at an earlier time due to safety concerns expressed by Student Government. “We moved it from 12:00 to 8:00 due to safety issues,” said Clark Lanius, SG chief of staff operations. “With everything that’s happened on campus, we didn’t want anything that was planned to go awry.” For years, students have expressed their love for their significant others and the University by kissing on the Memorial Tower steps at midnight. The tradition was suspended in recent years because the chimes did not work, Lanius said. Approximately 15-20 couples partook in the tradition this year. Parker Wishik, SG director of communications, said a recent string of armed robberies occurring on campus raised concerns for students’ safety being on-campus during the lesser trafficked hours of the night. “There is no reason to suspect there would be an incident, this is just a precaution,” Wishik said. Lanius said SG has not made arrangements for security to be at the event because the earlier hour and expected crowd should provide a secure environment. Wishik said in years past, the tradition has been at midnight on the morning of Valentine’s Day. Lanius said the tradition is returning this year through the direction of SG and the LSU Traditions Council. SG paid to revamp the bell system in April through their surplus fund, Lanius said. This year, the bells chimed two love songs that remained a mystery until the clock stuck 8:00 – “Love Me Tender” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” Lanius said the company that reworked the bells provided SG with a list of about 15 love songs the bells can play. He said SG representatives picked two popular songs from the list. Lanius said SG will assess the event and adjust appropriately for next year’s Valentine’s Day
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