The third annual Haunted Union was held on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, treating students to two days of spooky decorations and ghoulish activities.
During both days, the Union was transformed into an arena for costume contests, trick-or-treating and festive Halloween decorations.
"We noticed that there aren't many other universities that do it," said Jennifer Wantz, a student activities associate, as well as the supervisor of the programming board. "We wanted other schools to notice us for our Halloween and for it to become a UB tradition."
On Wednesday, the haunted house was unveiled, providing fright for all who dared enter with its bats, witches and showers of silly string.
The haunted house was located in the Union's 145 rooms, adjacent to the Office of Student Unions and Activities. The house was complete with four hidden rooms and decorative displays in every corner.
Last year, the haunted house was held in the commuter lounge, but it was too small to accommodate the volume of people who attended, said Wantz.
Ingrid Cajina, a sophomore biology major, came out of the haunted house clutching the backpack of the student ahead of her, breathing heavily.
"I think the dark made me lose my sense of direction in there - I got lost a couple of times," said Cajina. "It wasn't scary as much as it was disorienting."
Marie Anne Sanon, a sophomore majoring in biology and French, was greeting students who entered the Haunted Union. She participated in the event to support the Haitian Student Association.
"The main point of our club is not only to promote Haitian culture but to support other cultures as well," said Sanon. "Since we don't celebrate Halloween the same way that Americans do, this is our way of showing support for the SA and the UB community."
For the weak of heart, there was pumpkin carving, psychic readings, mask making and treats of cider and donuts.
Karim Laaroussi, president of the Organization of Arab Students and a senior electrical engineering major, participated in the pumpkin carving in the lobby of the Union.
"It was my first time carving a pumpkin, and it is fun," Laaroussi said. "I'm going to decorate the Union with it."
For fans of both sweets and laughs, the Student Strategists and Role Players Association held a "Pie in the Eye" contest outside of the Student Union. Students were given an opportunity to wail pies in the faces of 55 club and organization leaders - including leaders of Men's Hockey, Classic Cult Cinema, Women's Rugby and Women's Lacrosse - to raise money for student clubs.
For students in the mood for a movie, chilling films were shown in the commuter lounge, as well as the Student Union Theater. Selections included "The Haunting," "Hell Raiser 2: Hellbound" and "The Blair Witch Project".
The festivities culminated in the "Monster Bash" Thursday night at 9 p.m., where costume contests were held. The conclusion of the "spook fest" came with the showing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at midnight.
Kevin LaFleur, a freshman disguised as a Viking, said the Haunted Union was a success.
"I think it is fantastic," LaFleur said. "It was a lot of work but it turned out really nice. I know next year will be even better."
Some students were dressed up for Halloween, but not as a run-of-the-mill vampire or witch.
Hazel Antao, a sophomore communications major, dressed up as an army sergeant in honor of Veteran's Day.
"I'm working with the Leadership Development Center, celebrating the theme of Un-Halloween," said Antao.
Grant Lingel, a sophomore psychology major, chose to participate in the Haunted Union as one of the activities required by the UB Soccer Club.
"I volunteered to do this because I thought it would be a good time, and to get a chance to hang out with people from my club, as well as other clubs," said Lingel.
The Haunted Union "will be even bigger and better next year," said Wantz.
The Student Association, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Chi Omega and the American Red Cross all sponsored the event.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
