By SARAH L. OSTLER and SHANNA GHAZNAVI
Through hard work and snooping in just the right places, we have set about to make some of the mysteries of campus not so mysterious.
THE JSB ROCK
No, it is not a giant petrified four-square ball. The hand-carved spherical rock in front of the Joseph Smith Building is actually a sacred artifact.
The plaque says 'Purpose Unknown.' But Alan Parrish, associate professor of ancient scripture, said that hand-cut stones like the JSB rock were often used as boundary markers or grave markers. The size of the stone was indicative of the importance of the person being buried.
Parrish said it is one of only two stones of its type in the United States. He said he has been trying for years to get a shelter built over it.
The rock was brought back from Costa Rica. Parrish continues to write to officials there trying to get more information on it. Since they are upset we have one of their artifacts (we acquired it fair and square), they will not respond.
72-HOUR KITS
Did you know that you do not need to have your own 72-hour ration of food? So go ahead and eat the one in your apartment (because we know you have diligently maintained one). BYU provides all students with a 72-hour ration of food in the event of a massive emergency.
Kerry Baum, BYU's Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, said there is a huge warehouse on campus that stores food for all students. The food is kept in a fortified area that will remain standing, even if the building should collapse.
When a crisis does arise, the emergency preparedness committee will work with stake presidents and ward bishops to coordinate serving, he said.
You will need to provide your own water, though. The recommendation is three gallons of water per person.
DINOSAUR BONES
What's with the dinosaur bones under the stadium? Why do we not dig them out? Simple, they are there for storage.
The BYU Earth Science Museum, just west of the stadium has many bones on display. However, there are tons more -- about 125 tons -- under the stadium.
'We practically have a graveyard under there,' said Angela George, secretary at the museum.
Paleontologists excavate bones from Colorado and Utah and then store them under the stadium. Some bones are encased in plaster. Others still have all the dirt and rock from excavation which take years to clean, George said.
LIBRARY SENSORS
Phew, you didn't set off the library sensors with your newly purchased books from the bookstore. But why does it click every time you walk through?
It serves two purposes: to count those going in and out so the rugs can be properly changed; and to serve as an assurance that the sensors are working.
People come in weekly to check how the rugs are doing. If you are one of the lucky ones, you get to participate in a weekly survey about which rug you like better: the one in between the sensors, or the one right before it. They look the same to us, but hey, we aren't carpet experts.
BRIGHAM YOUNG STATUE
Contrary to some belief, the statue of Brigham Young in front of the Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building is the same as it always has been.
Some students speculated that at one time it had a beard or that his hand was raised. Not so. The only beard to have ever graced the statue's face was courtesy of some shaving-cream-wielding students, said Roy Peterman of Site Development.
BELL TOWER
No, it isn't Quasimodo up in the Carillon Bell Tower.
Mondays and Wednesdays, the noon recital is played by Lisa Glade, a graduate student in music and organ performance from Sierra Vista, Ariz. There are two others who play the noon recitals and three others taking lessons.
Glade's biggest challenge in playing the bells is her extreme fear of heights. She has to climb about 100 stairs to get to the keyboard.
The keyboard itself is different from other keyboards. Instead of using individual fingers, she has to use her whole fist.
TUNNELS UNDER BYU
If you've ever heard those rumors about secret passageways beneath BYU --they're not rumors. There really are tunnels under BYU which, Peterman said, are a vital part of the utility system.
The network of tunnels contains electrical boxes, cables and pipes carrying hot water to heat buildings, said Alvin K. Benson, a BYU professor of geology.
However folks, the tunnels are highly secured and dangerous. So no spelunking!
LOVE
The 'LOVE' statue in the sculpture garden, on the south side of the Museum of Art, has been there since the museum opened in 1993, said Sue Thompson, senior registrar of the museum.
The statue, completed in 1973, is polychrome aluminum and is considered pop art.
TREE OF WISDOM
No. It is not the 'Tree of Knowledge' or the 'Tree of Light' and it has little do with Lehi's dream -- it is really called the 'Tree of Wisdom.'
The architectural sculpture was built to celebrate BYU's centennial in 1975 as a gift from the senior class. It cost $21,766.
In the Pre-Construction Era, the statue was located between the Harris Fine Arts Center and the Wilkinson Center; its new home is on the south side of the Kimball Tower.
The roots of the tree go down into the soil for knowledge and the branches reach up and bear the fruits of service, said Frank Nackos, the sculpture's designer.
SWKT PAVEMENT
Now we don't want you all converging on the north doors of the Kimball Tower all at once to jump on the pavement, but if you have ever walked to those doors you have probably noticed the sidewalks sound strange. And not only do they sound hollow, they occasionally shake.
Not to worry, said the BYU grounds crew. The granite pavers outside the Kimball tower are structurally safe; they are on pedestals and there is a drainage system beneath them.
THE JUKEBOX
Bad news folks. The jukebox will not be returning to the new Cougareat; it was on lease and has been replaced by a new music system.
The good news is the new sound system is more sophisticated, said Paul Johnson, the assistant director of dining services.
Johnson said the Cougareat can 'mix things up' now since it can play different radio stations and CDs.