On Thursday, Baumer Hall, in partnership with the Student Union Board (SUB), hosted the third annual Baumer Boo, raising over $1,000 for the South Bend Center for the Homeless.
“This tradition started our freshman year with our previous president and vice president, and we’ve tried to improve by one percent every year. This year, we went from the basement to the fourth floor, and it's really cool to see more people getting involved,” Baumer president Phil Pollice said.
Baumer Hall was founded in 2019, and the first Baumer Boo took place in 2022.
“The setup for Baumer Boo has always been stressful, but it always pays off,” Baumer vice president Shane Wall said. “I’m also a member of the senior board as a content creator, and we collaborated with SUB for this event. We provided volunteers for their event, and they helped us with publicity.”
From the basement of Baumer Hall to the fourth floor, including the elevator in between, the hall was decorated with different spooky themes and filled with actors hoping to scare guests.
“It’s always great to see Baumer residents get involved in these community events, whether it’s helping with setup or acting to scare people,” Wall said.
Similarly, Baumer junior George Henken spoke on the importance of the event.
“Turning Baumer into a haunted house... I didn’t really know what that meant when I first started here. But now, in my third year, I understand its value in building community,” Henken said. “The president and vice president have taken a big leap this year, but the contributions from our commissioners were also invaluable.”
The event welcomed more than 250 students, collecting donations for the South Bend Center for the Homeless.
“One of my favorite parts is that the proceeds go to charity, so we know this event isn’t just about making money for the dorm. It’s actually going to a good cause,” Henken said.
Baumer residents used different tricks to scare anyone daring to attend, like hiding in hard-to-see spots and acting creepy around guests.
“I'm here to get scared and hang out with my friends,” sophomore Justine Lam said.
While last year the event was held on Friday, Oct. 27, this year’s event was actually held on Halloween.
“It was impressive, the work they put into it, although a bit scary,” sophomore Anna Grace Hull said.
She said she enjoyed how the scares caught her off guard and appreciated the dedication everyone showed in making visiting the haunted house a memorable experience.
“Living in a dorm sometimes feels like you just live and sleep there, but events like this change the atmosphere and make it feel more open to the campus community,” Henken said.
