The Kansas University whistle has returned to campus, but it’s lost a little steam.

Since the whistle was turned back on Sept. 8 – after not blowing since the semester began in August – its duration was reduced from five seconds to approximately 3.5 seconds.

Lynn Bretz, university spokeswoman, said the whistle sounding on top of Mount Oread, a decades-old campus tradition, was initially turned off this semester to save at least $7,000 in maintenance costs. After public outcry, it was turned back on, but the duration was reduced to reach a “compromise for those who love the whistle and those who aren’t so keen on it, and it allows us to save a little bit,” she said.

KU didn’t provide the amount of savings from the reduction. Bretz also said the university has received “very little reaction” to the change.

The KU Endowment Association however, has received a positive response from the public to help fund the whistle. According to Lisa Scheller, senior editor for media relations, the association received $3,347 in donations since about Sept. 5 when the university asked those who offered to help fund the whistle to make a donation to a university maintenance fund.