by Carter Lee

Are you curious why the large fence, mounds of dirt and burly construction workers are absent from the Heart? Well, it is because on Sunday, Aug. 23, Earlham Hall (EH) re-opened its hallways to students. It was closed for remodeling during both the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters.

The renovated building features many changes. As one walks into the front entrance, the changes are most apparent. The south side of the first floor no longer has any housing. Instead, it has been turned into the new offices for Student Development and Security, moved from the basement of Carpenter Hall and the Service Building, respectively. The west side remains the space for Health Services, but the facility has been upgraded significantly. The most noticeable change, though, is the absence of constant beeping, provided by the installation of a new door.

Cindy Callahan, the assistant director of facilities, who oversaw much of the project in all it stages, said the living conditions (kitchens, common areas, dorm rooms, bathrooms, etc.) have improved: rooms have been expanded and air-conditioning added; common areas furnished with new electronics and furniture; kitchens outfitted with safer, more proficient equipment; and bathrooms with water-saving toilets and stalls.

The bathrooms were not the only location where steps were taken to increase EH’s “greenness.”
Callahan talked about the focus on making the halls more sustainable.

“We wanted to make it as green as possible!” she said.

The water, heat, and air energy systems were specific concerns during the reconstruction process. Furthermore, recycling bins were placed on every floor to promote sound waste management.
Once again, the bathrooms point out an area where EH has greatly improved – that of accessibility. On both the second and third floors there are two ADA compliant bathrooms, which means bathrooms are now accessible to the disabled. The installation of a new elevator on the west wing of the building makes these facilities accessible to students with disabilities.

Student reactions were mainly, but not entirely, positive.

Senior Nate Garfinkle said of the renovations, “It’s great that they moved Security and Student Development into first floor.”

Senior Mia Herring remarked, “Well, I guess that they finished the darn thing, so the Heart would be open again.”

Another student, senior Sydney Sogol, found a problem: “I don’t like the yellow color in there. Not only is it bad but it’s everywhere.”

EH has a history to match its size. Originally built in 1885, EH came to be recognized as the centerpiece of the college. For example, if you go to Lilly library and open the cover to an old book, you’ll find a picture of a stout Quaker man and woman standing on the horizon, with EH in the backdrop. The first significant change in design came 102 years later, in 1957.

Unfortunately, this first remodeling was the product of tragedy – a fire destroyed it.
The building that had risen out of the ashes was the EH Earlham students had been occupying until spring 2008. In short, the phoenix was getting old and needed to be reborn.