Engineers will visit Carnegie Mellon University next week to find out why "Walking to the Sky," a sculpture in front of Warner Hall, swayed alarmingly in the wind Tuesday.

But contrary to rumors, "Walking to The Sky" is not falling to the ground, according to the artist and a university spokesman.

For now, tethers are stabilizing Jonathan Borofsky's sculpture of seven figures ascending a 100-foot stainless steel pole at a 75-degree angle. Three other figures stand at the base of the pole, looking up.

Yellow tape surrounds the sculpture, which is visible from Forbes Avenue.

"The pole is not going to fall," Mr. Borofsky, who received a bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon in 1964 and an honorary doctorate in 2006, said yesterday in a e-mail to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Carnegie Mellon spokesman Ken Walter agreed that the sculpture is not at risk of falling.

Mr. Borofsky and Mr. Walters said the sculpture often sways in the wind but swayed more heartily than usual Tuesday, prompting the temporary restraints on either side.

They said the university contacted the California engineering company that helped to install the sculpture in 2006. The company is scheduled to send representatives to Pittsburgh next week.

"Cables were tied to the pole to dampen any movement, and next week the grass and dirt from around the base of the pole will be removed," Mr. Borofsky said. "Then, they will be able to inspect what is underground, including the pole, base plate, anchor bolts and concrete foundation."

The seven-ton sculpture was donated by Jill Gansman Kraus and her husband, Peter, of New York. She is a university trustee and 1974 graduate.

The sculpture was inspired by a story Mr. Borofsky's father told about a friendly giant who lived in the sky.

At the time it was installed, Mr. Borofsky, known for large-scale works around the world, called the sculpture a "celebration of the human potential for discovering who we are and where we need to go." He said it also reflected Carnegie Mellon's efforts to "bring new forms of art and architecture to campus."

But the sculpture generated controversy before it arrived on campus. Some students didn't like the look of it, and the location in front of Warner Hall was selected after complaints about a proposal to put it in a more prominent place.