by Rachel Valice
ALLENDALE, Mi. - After numerous videos of students stripping down to their skivvies and riding the famous Grand Valley "Wrecking Ball" went viral, the university made the decision to remove the campus landmark, claiming "safety reasons" as the cause.
According GVSU Facilities Services, the pendulum is an art piece and is not meant to be ridden. Citing an "increase in popularity of riding the pendulum" after twerking pop star Miley Cyrus' risqué new music video incited Grand Valley students to parody her work, the installation was taken down so that officials could evaluate its structural integrity and prevent further misuse.
In the music video, Cyrus straddles a wrecking ball in nothing but a pair of work boots and a smile.
The controversial decision made headlines after being first reported by Roger Dorn of TotalFratMove. As news spread amongst students, the story gained speed when it was picked up by Fox News, WZZM, and E! Online. A movement soon followed on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag, "#reinstalltheball," as outraged students proclaim through the trending topic that there is nothing dangerous about riding the bifilar pendulum.
"3hrs ago i said lets get #reinstalltheball trending. at 8pm we peaked at 395. lets go people!" tweeted GVSU alum Kipchumba Chelilim, using the handle @MrChumbtastic.
"First they take away our bridge and now our ball? What's next Gvsu, what's next!? #GVProbs #reinstalltheball" tweeted user Halie Foulks.
The issue has inspired the creation of a humorous Twitter account. Some students have even gone as far as to publicly reach out to Miley Cyrus to acquire her help in getting the ball back.
A spontaneous, student-organized "memorial service" also took place at the site in protest of the ball's removal, which had been installed without incident since 1973.
Facilities Services expresses hope that they can find another location on campus to reinstall the pendulum where it can be safely viewed. Until then, the piece will remain in storage.
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