As the Lehigh community continues to battle life amid a pandemic, the Halloween spirit among many students has dwindled.
Traditionally known as a time for many students to engage with each other, this year’s plans to get spooky have changed for everyone. With less students on and off campus, and heavily enforced safety regulations, Lehigh’s campus will be hauntingly quiet and ghostly empty.
However, organizations like the Center for Gender Equity honored the holiday with a Halloween-themed magazine making workshop on Oct. 28. The creative initiative allowed students to virtually interact with each other to increase the holiday spirit.
Additionally, those part of International Voices have given students the opportunity to submit a Halloween-themed story or poem for the chance to win a gift card.
Jermaine Marshall, ‘24, said the expectations for the holiday are low this year.
“I don’t plan on celebrating Halloween this year. I also haven’t heard of much going on,” Marshall said. “Considering the majority of students in my grade have left campus, I plan on staying in and staying safe for this Halloween.”
Marshall said he wants to remain cautious and aware of his well-being and surroundings before he goes home in November. With a regulated amount of social options on campus, the hopes of having an eventful Halloween are limited, he said.
“Honestly, just hoping for a better future,” Marshall said.
His mindset is in line with other students, who have steered their focus away from Halloween and toward the maintenance of their health.
Julia Zambetti, ‘23, said that she doesn’t plan on doing anything for Halloween this year because of COVID-19 and is hoping to continue her streak of negative test results.
“My roommates and I decided to decorate our house and celebrate together this year,” Zambetti said. “I am definitely sad that this is what it’s come to, but staying inside will not only benefit our safety, but others’ as well.”
Amanda Lerner, ‘23, said she doesn’t have high expectations for Halloween this year and doesn’t plan on doing anything special. She said she hopes that students living off campus will continue to make smart decisions to keep the number of cases low.
Lerner said she and her roommates also plan on staying in and leaving candy outside for those in their neighborhood.
“Personally I care more about everyone coming back in the spring, and I would hate for there to be a spike this weekend,” Lerner stated.
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