By Kelly Lewis
Outdoor fire pits have been installed at a number of locations around campus just in time for the cool fall weather.
An email sent out on Friday, September 24 by the Office of Student Affairs announced that fire pits along with additional Adirondack chairs were scheduled to arrive on campus by Friday, October 1.
“We hope you enjoy these outdoor areas during the upcoming fall evenings!”
There are a total of five fire pits. Two are located on the Main Quad, one outside of the O’Hara Residence Hall in May Pavilion, one on the patio outside the Upper Roche Commons, and one in the courtyard of the Holy Cross Center.
Vice President for Student Affairs Pauline Dobrowski said the school wanted to provide a safe option for students to gather and spend time outside during the pandemic.
“We are hoping that these new informal outdoor gathering spaces will be a fun place for students to hang out and connect with one another,” Dobrowski said.
Dobrowski said the idea came about after witnessing the popularity of the current Adirondack chairs on campus.
“We were seeing how popular the Adirondack chairs were on campus as places for students and other community members to informally gather, and we wanted to enhance our outdoor social gathering spaces, especially as the weather starts to get a bit cooler,” Dobrowski said.
Vice President for Finance, Jeanne Finlayson, suggested the idea and researched options.
“We have established some protocols with the local Fire Department and general usage for students is proposed to end by 11 p.m., but if there is a College-sponsored event with the firepit usage, then the event can go longer than 11 p.m.,” Finlayson said.
The firepits are gas-powered and are available for general use. They do not have to be reserved.
Dobrowski and the Office of Student Affairs are still working out the logistics of the firepits.
Dobrowski said if a student group wanted to host an event at a fire pit, she is certain she could make it happen.
The school purchased the fire pits so that they will be a permanent installation on campus.
Emma Cianciulli, a senior, said the fire pits will be a great addition to campus, especially with the fall weather approaching.
“I am interested in trying them as I think it will be a nice relaxing way to hang out with my friends,” Cianciulli said.
Cianciulli said she likes that this will allow students to gather and give them the option to socially distance themselves and be outside.
Stonehill has jumped on the bandwagon, as other schools have already installed fire pits.
Jessica Pugatch, a senior at Merrimack College said her school installed fire pits around campus last fall as an activity for students during the pandemic.
“It’s a great way to bring students together, especially during COVID,” Pugatch said. “I see people gathered at the pits all the time, they’re very popular.”
This past Friday, multiple students gathered around to try the new fire pits. Mark Janeczek, a sophomore, sat by the fire pit outside of Shields Science building with friends.
“We love it! Especially when it gets cold,” said Janeczek.
Rose Doherty, a senior, said she tried out a fire pit for the first time on the quad this past Sunday night.
"They were great and I plan to use them as it gets colder," said Doherty.
She said she understands the pits are new but has some suggestions.
"One idea I had was if we wanted to make s'mores, we could pick up supplies at the info desk," said Doherty.
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