Undercover reveals the story behind PSU tunnels
By: Bryan Cohen and Zach Kelly
(original publication date: March 1, 2002 in the State College Area High School Newspaper, section named "State College Underground")

Beneath the streets and alleyways of the Penn State Campus is a complex labyrinth of tunnels and passages that only the personnel of highest authority have witnessed. But where lies the appeal - who would want to go through some must old heating pipes? Someone who falls between fearless adventurer, looking at the edge of one frontier and on to the next, and someone just looking for some 'me' time. Because of the high restrictions against entering the tunnels (and the fact that the SCU team can't stay out past 8:00), we did not enter the world beneath the sidewalks, and do not advocate anyone trying to go in. However, we were able to find someone who did.

In an exclusive interview with an anonymous source who we will call Splinter (strictly for legal and personal reasons), ventured into the tunnels, which he referred to as "vadding".

"The tunnels are difficult to enter, but once your into them,, access to many buildings on campus is possible via metal grates." Among the accessible areas are the Pollock underpass, closed years ago due to drug problems with all the graffiti still intact.

Splinter is not the only one who engages in urban spelunking. An entire group named the PSU Underground runs a web site and has documented their excursions into the depths. The site has pictures and articles containing information on the origins of the tunnels. The site is http://mooreshire.com/psusteam . This is a surprisingly conclusive site that is worth a few minutes if you are interested in the PSU team's investigations into the campuses below.

The tunnels run more than two miles underneath buildings like Old Main and Pattee Library and are roughly six and a half feet tall and four feet wide. They house large pipes that carry steam used to heat some of the older buildings on campus. Temperatures can range anywhere from the outside temperature to nearly one hundred and fifty degrees.

The tunnels, built in the 1800's to heat Penn State (and as technology progressed, phone lines and TV cables were also run through), have been a seriously intriguing adventure for those who have known about the tunnels for years.

Whether you are looking to shut down the system or just have a good time, be warned: the punishments for being caught are serious. Fines, as well as jail time, may be implemented, not to mention the high risk of injury. But SCU is not here to preach, only to inform.

Shortcuts and straight shots through Penn State have always been desired, but none so groundbreaking as these. Dangerous and tempting, the tunnels are truly a find.

Whether you want want to explore or just revel in the fact there are such things as a series of top-feet is up to you entirely. But beware: it is truly an "underground" occupation.