ALBANY -- The cancellation of the annual Fountain Day at the University of Albany prompts certain reactions:

Angry college students? Check

Fewer drunks on campus? Check.

A 41-year-old student chaining himself to the fountain in protest?

Check.

Christopher Schewe, an Army veteran from Pittstown with a wife and two children, chained himself to the fountain about 10:30 a.m. Friday -- and promises not to leave until noon Monday.

"I'm going to be here for three days," Schewe told the Times Union, as dozens of students watched in chilly weather. Clad in a New York Giants hat, blue jacket and jeans, Schewe stood on a blanket reading, "Bring Back Fountain Day!"

The event, held since 1978, marks the first day the campus fountain is turned on. Last year, more than 10,000 students, staff and faculty celebrated inside the fountain's basin in more than 226,000 gallons of water. But it was halted this year after the March 12 "kegs and eggs" fiasco in which students ran amok in Albany while celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

In response to the cancellation, Schewe chained himself with two double locks and gave the key to a friend who will not return until Monday. He brought two adult-sized diapers and a bottle of water, and expected a pup tent. He said he will not eat a morsel until noon Monday.

Schewe's protest also came in response to negative comments about UAlbany from Fox News commentator Glenn Beck. On Friday, Schewe railed about Beck -- and said he wants to wrestle him in the fountain. He professed his admiration for the TV personality "Dog the Bounty Hunter." And he noted he smoked 10 marijuana "bong" hits before arriving. At one point, Schewe screamed across campus: "The party scene does not wreck a college's popularity! It's the budget cuts!!"

Many students laughed and lauded Schewe's protest. One 21-year-old senior from Poughkeepsie cursed at him. The student, identified as Justin, said he was glad Fountain Day is canceled. "When you have clowns like this guy protesting, ranting and raving, all he's doing is diminishing the value that my degree is going to have and that disturbs me," he said.

Of Fountain Day, Schewe said, "I just love the spirit of everybody just anticipating that one thing -- boom! -- and everybody cheers at once! It's the spirit of life ... water."

Campus police, who monitored Schewe's protest, said he had a right to free speech.

In a statement, UAlbany spokesman Karl Luntta said: "We respect any individual's right to freedom of speech and expression. The goal in suspending Fountain Day is to protect and uphold the integrity of our students and the University at Albany. Our intention is not to disappoint but rather to protect and promote the welfare of our institution, our students, and their future."

Schewe said a doctor will come Monday to check his vital signs.

"I've got the mentality of an 18-year-old and I'm never going to change," said Schewe, who also has a slew of outlandish YouTube videos. "I threw eggs at cars last Halloween with my son."

Reach Robert Gavin at 434-2403 or rgavin@timesunion.com.