While the weather outside may indeed be frightful, in the fireplace lounge, the fire has not been so delightful. In fact, it has not really been there at all--until now.
After being plagued with technical diffculties, the lounge will now have fires more frequently, and the change may draw more students into the space. But the technical difficulties appear to continue.
According to Michael Sims, senior associate dean for Student Affairs, the fireplace stopped working last semester after the igniter went out. After weeks of delay, the new igniter finally arrived.
But afer only a few days, the ignitor stopped working again.
It now works "on and off," Sims said. "We haven't quite figured out what it is."
Recently, a new complication has come to light. When the fireplace burns for a long time, ash evidently builds up and clogs the switch mechanism, so that it may not light unless someone manually clears it out. This became apparent only last Friday.
In the lounge, the now burning fire met with a good mood and approval. Brie Bieler '11 said it was the first time she'd seen the fire burning. "I really appreciate it being on, just because it's warm and it's cold outside," she said.
"Sometimes I'll pop in and pop out," said Maggie Kamraczewski '10, but finding the fire on, also for the first time, on Tuesday, she decided to stay. "It's as good a place as any to study. Cozier chairs and a fireplace can't be beat."
FM continues fixing new problems as they come up.
Sims said it takes about two years to get familiar with all the quirks of a new building, and that no one is trying to keep it shut off--it's just been a cascading series of technical issues. "If anybody asks for it to be on," said Sims, "the staff will go and turn it on." That is, barring any problems with the fireplace itself.
We can look forward to relaxing in front of the fire whenever we want, pretty soon. As long as nothing goes wrong.
