An electronic chime system set to a speaker in the Warriner Hall bell tower  has been heard all over Central Michigan University since the 1980s. 

Chiming for 25 years, it has been broken and beyond repair for the last six months. 

Last summer the chimes were off key and made an out-of-tune pitch. 

"The system was old and just worn out," said Keith Voeks, assistant director for university events (UE). 

The cost to fix the old device is high, so purchasing a new digital machine will be more efficient says Voeks. New electronic chime systems can range from $5,000 to $100,000. Replacement costs will go through a proposal stage this semester. 

Voeks is working on a proposal to replace the system, excluding real bells because they are more costly and an electronic system can do more. Student Life Director, Tony Voisin suggested a recording that can play the CMU Fight song or other seasonal tracks. 

Students, faculty and the Mount Pleasant community will have to wait until summer for the new system to be ready to chime. Summer is when UE does major repairs on campus, and fixing the bell tower is a priority. 

Readers who want to chime in on what sounds the bell should make are encouraged to do so in the comment area.  

GCM Photo by Jill Pekel

By Alysha Schlundt Bodien