Celebrate Halloween on Campus

Published October 28, 2015

From mild to scary, Halloween at Long Beach State is a fun time for students, employees and the community.

Who better understands emotions than psychology students? Enter the Haunted Hotel in the Psychology Building basement and find out what tricks the mind can play.

This is the 5th annual haunted house event hosted by the Psychology Student Association and international psychology honor society, Psi Chi. Attendance in the past has been great, says Psi Chi President and psychology major Sarah Velasco. People from all parts of campus participate and it is a “great way to unite CSULB students.”

The haunted maze is fairly simple, taking about five minutes to walk through. Velasco says everyone has a lot of fun and the organizers love watching people get scared. Admission is $2.

About 50 psychology students and 10 students from other majors have volunteered to help with the event. Best of all, proceeds from the event are donated to a local charity. This year the two psychology associations have chosen Meals on Wheels of Long Beach, which packages and delivers food to the elderly and incapacitated adults. In the past, proceeds have gone to MHA Village, which helps homeless individuals who suffer from mental health issues.

“It’s great when we hand off the check to the charity, because it’s really nice to see the impact we’re having,” Velasco said.

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A dark, foreboding room from the psych haunted house

For a not-so-scary experience, the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Concert Band presents the Spooktacular Concert and Halloween Carnival Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Daniel Recital Hall.

The family-friendly carnival takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. and features food, an instrument petting zoo, face painting, costume contest and much more. Proceeds from the carnival will support the BCCM’s student music organizations.

From 7 to 8 p.m., the Concert Band and the Shoreline Winds conducted by music Professor Jermie Arnold will perform music including the Imperial March from “Star Wars,” themes from “Harry Potter,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Incredibles” and others.

Tickets $15 for the public and $10 for students, seniors or CSU employees. Children age 10 and under wearing a Halloween costume are admitted free. For tickets and information, visit the Cole Conservatory of Music Department website or call the CSULB Arts Ticket Office at 562.985.7000.

Even employees get into the act with scary offices, spooky costumes and frightful pumpkins, all part of Staff Council’s annual Spooktacular starting at noon Friday, Oct. 30, in the Nugget patio area.

More than 20 staff volunteers are organizing the event, which features awards for the best decorated offices, costumes paraded by staff, and pre-carved pumpkins.

Written by Anne Ambrose and Sharon Hong