The tradition of a warm, crackling fire burning in Elliot Hall's north fireplace will no longer be available to students.
Ball State student Leah Wood is fighting to return what she considers an "essential part" of the building to its residents. Her problem is that she has to battle Ball State University Housing and Residence Life and the university's insurance carrier.
When Elliot's residents returned from Winter Break Jan. 12 they noticed signs posted on the fire place's mantle reading "don't use the fire place." After seeing the signs, Wood figured it was for eventual cleaning of the four-story smokestack. The next day, workers drilled holes into the floor of the limestone fireplace and residents were notified of a change.
Wood said she sent a petition to residents and received 98 of a possible 108 signatures from residents protesting the change.
Michelle Subler, vice president of Elliot, said housing held an informal town hall meeting and brought up replacing the fireplace. About 20 people showed up, Subler said, and they didn't agree with the idea. Wood said a lack of communication was the reason housing went through with the drilling.
"Basically they went above our heads and behind our backs to take out the fireplace that has been keeping people warm for 70 years," she said.
Director of Housing and Residence Life Alan Hargrave said Ball State's insurance carrier brought the replacement for safety reasons. The replacement is high end and the effect of the fireplace is realistic, he said.
"The insurance carrier determined that the wood burn fireplace was not being monitored," Hargrave said. "The carrier showed us evidence where embers have popped out and left burns in the floor and they are concerned about safety. When a fire was started, we don't want students to be at risk."
Wood said she was trying to get Elliot into the Indiana Register of Historic Places, a process that could take years. If it gets on the list, Ball State could receive tax breaks that could benefit the hall.
Hargrave said his office didn't know of Wood's struggle.
"Many historical buildings do not burn real fires," Hargrave said. "I don't feel like it will effect the building, and it is safer, so it's a win-win."
Dan Sullivan, president of Elliot, said housing has done a lot of good things for the hall, including putting in new kitchens and a workout room with a new television. Despite his appreciation, he said housing shouldn't change the fireplace.
"You have to understand Elliot really is a unique community," Sullivan said. "There is less than 120 residents there and that fireplace really is a focal point of the lobby. It is a selling point to a lot of the residents who live there."
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