By Rayante O’Neal
Contributing writer
After 18 months of pandemic restrictions and canceled in-person events, some Dominican clubs are ready to kick-off the Halloween season.
Two different events will be located on campus in the Underground free of charge. The Black Student Union (BSU) will be throwing a ‘70s themed Halloween dance starting at 9 p.m., Oct. 28. BSU Co-presidents Zoie Smith and Elise Ndoe Gouag organized this event and are looking to create a unique experience for students to enjoy.
“In the past BSU presidents have hosted a Halloween dance as a way for more than just BSU students to be involved in our events. With Elise and I being the new president and vice-president we decided to continue the tradition,” said Smith.
This event is special because Dominican hasn’t been able to host parties or dances for students in almost two years. BSU will keep up the ‘70s theme with a photo booth where students will be encouraged to showcase their best ‘70s inspired look.
“Costumes are welcomed and encouraged,” Gouag said. “It is all ‘70s themed. Students can expect some fun lights and disco decorations. The music should be current hits and some throwbacks. It is going to be a good time.”
The following night, the Commuter Student Association (CSA) and Student Life hosts a different type of event, at 8 p.m., Oct. 29. This one will be a haunted house in the Underground. CSA advisor Kiasee Ray collaborated with Dominican’s Student Life organization to help bring a new event experience to campus for the Halloween season.
“With the haunted house, we were hoping to introduce a new event to campus. Something no one has seen before,” Ray said. “The inspiration came from the Commuter Student Association’s Haunted Tour that was hosted in the past. We wanted to do something that was similar and yet different.”
There are many stories surrounding Dominican being a place of paranormal activity. Therefore, Halloween-related events seem to spark students’ interest.
According to Ray, CSA rented out a Halloween-themed inflatable haunted bounce house with ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins. The haunted house Inflatable is a maze that is full of scary pop-outs and semi-lit hallways for guests to explore and has original artwork on the exterior, Ray said. She also said this type of event will be a first for Dominican.
Organizers at both events will take Covid-19 precautions. Outside guests can attend the haunted house event if they abide by CDC guidelines, Ray said. The haunted house and Halloween dance will include sanitizing stations by the entrances and all students will be required to wear masks during the duration of the events, according to the organizers.
roneal@my.dom.edu
