The victory bell may never ring again in front of DuSable Hall.

The bell has stood its ground on Malis Island, the patch of land in front of DuSable Hall, for more than 40 years. It originally was owned by coed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega.

APO donated the bell to NIU in 1960, but it has served as a part of the fraternity’s tradition for decades, APO President Nicole Fortier said.

APO had no advance warning of the university’s decision to tear down the structure and relocate the bell, said Marc Gorecki, membership vice president of APO.

The bell originally was put at its present location when the basketball games used to take place nearby and football events were close, so it was in the center of things, Gorecki said.

“It does make sense to move the bell but not to tear down the wishing well, the entire structure,” Gorecki said.

Fortier said the structure is symbolic for the fraternity and its services on campus.

“It’s one of just a few things on campus that represent Alpha Phi Omega,” Fortier said.

The wishing well the bell stands on will be torn down because the university is planning to redo the bus turnaround in front of DuSable, Gorecki said.

Gorecki said Patty Perkins, assistant to vice president of Finance and Facilities, suggested the bell be moved to near the Convocation Center.

Gorecki said although they wouldn’t mind having it at the arena, they rather would see the bell moved to a different location, such as the East Lagoon.

Fortier said the Residence Hall Association will be the main group handling the move.

Perkins was unavailable for comment at press time.