BY EMILY NESS | The Statesman As the days grow short, the air grows cold and the leaves begin to turn colors of maroon and gold, the University of Minnesota Duluth prepares for Halloween.
For twenty years, UMD has been putting on an event known as “Haunted Hallways”.
The tradition began when a few RAs went to the housing supervisor and requested to host trick-or-treating in the hallways of the university.
The auxiliary services director of housing and residency Josh Buck graduated from UMD in 2003. He was an RA in 1998 and remembers participating in the tradition himself.
“On October 27 from 5-7 p.m. we are going to open up our hallways to the Duluth community,” Buck said.
Guests are requested to park in Lot W where they will be directed to the Ianni Welcome Lounge.
“There will be caramel apples and cookies in Ianni Lounge, games in Lake Superior Hall and crafts in Griggs PQ conference room,” Buck said.
According to Buck, if the weather allows there will also be a super jumper in the shape of a pumpkin outside.
“I am excited for the Haunted Hallways. I think that it is a good opportunity to get the community involved in what is happening on campus,” freshman Megan Veeder said.
According to Buck, the success of the event lies in the hands of the students.
“I plan on handing out candy for sure,” freshman Anna Marie Rutz said. “I love little kids.”
RA’s have sign-up sheets for students who want to participate. The deadline for signing up is October 22.
“If students are able to purchase a few bags of candy and possibly even partner with other rooms, we’d have a good turn out,” Buck said.
Buck brings his two children to the event each year.
“My kids always appreciate how much candy they get,” Buck said.
Buck believes that the event is a great way to eliminate stereotypes of college kids.
“It is a nice way to destroy the negative perception that some have of college students. By bringing their children here, parents see that college kids are nice, normal and not what you see on TV,” Buck said.
Students felt similarly.
“I think it is cool that despite Duluth being a college town, we are still participating in community events,” Rutz said.
The event is popular with audiences of all ages. Buck believes that even the students have fun.
“It is a nice getaway from homework and studying,” Veeder said.
Each year, there is a theme and this year the theme is Monsters University.
“Parents are encouraged to bring their little monsters to UMD,” Buck said. “It is going to be a lot of fun.”