Women’s dorms ready for trick-or-treaters

Children will soon fill the halls of Oklahoma Christian University’s women’s dormitories, stopping by each door and asking the question: “Trick or treat?”

Luckily for the children, the response they receive will be in treat form.

Gunn-Henderson and Tinius, freshmen and sophomore women’s dormitories, are hosting the annual trick or treat night for children of faculty, staff and alumni — today from 6:30-8 p.m.

“I would say that it has become a place for our local alumni to safely bring their kids for trick or treat,” Bob Lashley, executive director of alumni relations, said. “We do have a large number of alums that bring their kids. I would say the majority of those in the packed hallways are alumni and employees, so it’s a good community outreach and way to have alumni back on campus.”

Oklahoma Christian students who would like to participate can sign up through their resident director.

According to junior Ashley Ramos, the students can get into the Halloween spirit by decorating their doors and dressing up in a non-scary costumes.

Gunn-Henderson Resident Director Vivian Hoffmeister said the children come by the rooms to trick or treat. Residence Life provides a bag of candy for each dorm room involved.

“A lot of the girls before we even announce the trick-or-treat, they had already decorated their rooms,” Hoffmeister said. “So, whenever I do room check, there’s always like taped doors, and everything is really funny.”

Students participating may also get a prize for their decorations.

“The girls in Gunn-Henderson have the opportunity to decorate their doors and the hallways for prizes,” Eloise Wright, residence assistant in Gunn Henderson, said. “And there are some hilarious and creative decorations up right now.”

The girls also receive an automatic pass on room check for helping out with the trick-or-treating.

“So, they get to skip room check, if they are a participant,” Hoffmeister said. “Everyone kind of knows about it. So, it’s a fun thing to look forward to.”

This year, a photo booth will be set up in the lobby of Gunn-Henderson for the children.

The resident directors also host a competition to see which resident assistant can get more women to participate.

This year, there are about 70 rooms involved in the trick or treat event, and according to Hoffmeister, they are expecting around 300 children.

“This night is super exciting because decorating is always fun,” Wright said. “And the kids who come are always so adorable in their costumes. As adults at college, it’s kind of bittersweet to not participate in holidays like we might have as kids, so trick or treat night is just a great way to keep in touch with your inner child.”

The night creates memorable times for students who were trick or treat participants last year.

“Last year there was this one girl, probably 10 or 11 years old, who was wearing a Sumo wrestler costume,” Wright said. “She looked like a giant, deflated balloon until this whirring noise suddenly came on, and her costume started to inflate. I realized there was an actual fan built into her costume to keep it inflated. Some people are really intense about dressing up.”

Lively was also a participant for trick or treat night last year.

“I helped give candy and toys to the children,” Lively said. “My favorite thing that happened last year was when one of the children came by giving out candy to everyone instead of taking any for himself.”

The annual trick or treat night occurs the Thursday before Halloween. Faculty, staff and alumni’s children are welcome to attend.