The Residence Hall Association organized 13 Nights of Halloween to get campus residents in the holiday spirit. The events began Sunday, Oct. 18 and will continue until Oct. 31 in the residence halls and campus classrooms.
The events consist of in-person activities and film screenings that can be joined through Zoom every evening starting at 7 p.m. In-person activities encourage students to craft and express their Halloween spirit through creative workshops and artistic events, as well as traditional Halloween activities.
In-person activities that were organized included a photo booth session, mask decorating, pumpkin carving, a costume contest, Halloween trivia and a scavenger hunt, among other events. A virtual escape room, pumpkin painting contest and grand Halloween party will be hosted on Oct. 27, 29 and 31 respectively. The Living Learning Communities will host a mini pumpkin painting event at 5 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the LLC 6 lobby area with all supplies provided for on-location or personal painting. Pumpkins can be judged during the contest presented on Oct. 29. Masks and social distancing are required for all in-person events.
“I really liked the cupcake decorating,” Austin Carper, a student participant who attended the events, said. “(There was) a good turnout with everybody while still being able to keep everything socially distanced.”
The events were hosted as a way for the Residence Hall Association to provide safe, entertaining opportunities for campus residents to celebrate Halloween under COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
“I enjoy the social time and getting to see people, (like) human interaction that’s not through
Zoom,” Kaleigh Martinez, a student attendee, said.
Remote, virtual film screenings were available for students to attend if they did not feel comfortable participating in in-person events held in the residence hall locations. Films that were screened included “Children of the Corn,” “Halloween,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Hocus Pocus,” “A Quiet Place” and other popular Halloween classics. Future screenings will feature “The Addams Family” on Thursday, Oct. 29.
Looking forward, there are still opportunities for students to celebrate Halloween in person or remotely.
“I know there are several other events happening,” Emma Casebolt, director of Programming and Traditions, said. “My hall is having a trivia night… Tower Trick-or-Treat is more of a drive-by thing instead of having the community in the Tower, but it still gets the community involved in a safe way. I think it’s great to be able to have something to do inside. Since it is so cold, it’s hard to see friends in person and follow the guest policy.”
As for celebrations on Halloween night, the association will host small in-person parties to encourage a safe on-campus celebration for students. The events will be held at 7 p.m. in posted LLC classrooms and courtyards. Future event details are posted within campus residence halls, and all students living within the residence halls are welcomed to attend events hosted within their building.
“I think it’s going to be a pretty mellow Halloween this year,” Carper said. “Hopefully everybody that does participate… is wearing a mask and social distancing.”
Katarina Hockema can be reached at [email protected].