Trey Whittenton, Staff Writer 

A decade-old tradition will be continued this weekend when East Hall presents its version of a haunted house, the Dorm of Doom. 

Although Dorm of Doom benefits charities, its contents are not necessarily like the haunted house at, say, your local YMCA.  Residents have put their stamp on past events in such displays as sado-masochism rooms, human sacrifices and staged suicides, as well as more traditional horror themes, such as zombie rooms. 

Last year, a couple of rooms incited controversy among a few customers.  A few adjustments will be made this year. 

Senior E. Summer Wright, organizer for the Dorm of Doom this year, said that the event is not only a blast, but it is good for the community. 

“We’re going more along the lines of a classic haunted house,” Wright said, who also helped organize last year’s Dorm of Doom. 

However, because each room is planned by a different resident of East, patrons will still see an original show. 

Junior Crystal E. Masters, who is helping to plan one of the rooms, feels people should come looking for surprises. 

“People should expect the unexpected, because we will still include things that wouldn’t be found in most haunted houses,” Masters said. 

There is another factor that strikes fear into the hearts of performers and audiences alike at Dorm of Doom: The basement of East, where the event is set up, is widely rumored to be haunted. 
 
In fact, many residents feel the ghosts are more than a rumor; they are a fact to be taken seriously. Students who have experienced a bizarre event often refuse to talk about their encounter. 

Wright, who claims to have been witness to such unexplained occurrences, said that the ghost stories are no joke. She said there have been people working Dorm of Doom who have been scared by something in the basement, some to the point that they won’t work in the Dorm of Doom anymore. Wright added that she personally hates being in the basement alone. 

Despite the ghost fears, Wright said that the staging of Dorm of Doom is a fun, community-building experience for those involved.  She estimated that over 100 people contribute in some way, whether setting up, promoting, performing or serving as security. 

Last year, Dorm of Doom brought in over $1,500 and nearly 200 cans of food, both of which were record figures for the event.  Wright said that she expects crowds to be even larger this year.