Throughout our lives, we are bombarded by half-truths, white lies, and delicious secrets. Whether one becomes aware of the incredible power of a rumor in high school or even in middle school, a rumor’s impact can change lives and manipulate those around us.

With history, there are skeletons in the closet. What skeletons does Ashland University have? After over a month of class being in session here at Ashland, rumors have again found their way to this campus. Who’s to say what is true and what is not? You be the judge.

One rumor on everyone’s mind is regarding the notorious past of the ninth floor of Amstutz. Given that most students are forbidden from entering it, curiosity continues to grow. Many students believe that the ninth floor is used strictly for either famous or high class visitors of AU.

Some even say that Ronald Reagan himself spent a few nights up in Amstutz’s highest floor. The RA of Amstutz’s eighth floor, junior Miles Jones, was happy to discuss what he knows about the ninth floor.

“The ninth floor is always locked and is mainly used for meetings, such as for fraternities,” said Jones. “One thing is for sure though; it is super nice up there, unlike any other dorm on campus.”

Jones clarified that he also has heard that certain famous people have stayed up in Amstutz’s ninth floor.

“I’ve even heard in the past that a First Lady stayed up there before,” stated Jones, “Whether or not anything we hear about the ninth floor is true, it is definitely Presidential up there.”

More recently, dirty laundry can now be aired out at AU completely free of charge. The rumor around campus claimed that this miracle was only temporary, but it has turned out to be false. According to Auxiliary Services, students will have free laundry for the entire academic year. Nothing comes without a cost though, and the cost for laundry is 15-minute-shorter cycles.

Another notorious rumor involves a ghost supposedly residing in the Hugo Young Theatre. Any student involved in AU’s Theatre department has heard that the ghost of Hugo Young himself haunts the theatre.

Many years ago, Young made an effort to attend every AU production, but he died in a car accident on the way to a production. When Young’s car was searched, the stubs of his tickets had apparently been removed despite the fact that he never made it to the show.

It has been assumed, ever since, that Hugo did make it to the theater, and that he is still there, occasionally pranking visitors. To this day, it is believed that Young never misses a show.

From the first week of school, people have heard that a jaywalking student who is hit by a car will actually be paid by AU if under their health care plan. These students have obviously never picked up a student handbook, because page 44 disagrees with them. Under the headline “JAYWALKING – USE OF CROSSWALK AND BRIDGE” it is stated that a student caught jaywalking will actually end up having to pay a fine “up to $100.”

Another rumor floating around AU is that there is an easier way to get from the library to Andrews. According to sophomore Ashbrook Bryan Policz, “Dr. Schramm has a secret passageway behind a radiator on the ground floor of the library…that runs underground, and exits through Sikkenga’s office.”

Does this tunnel actually exist? Was it walled off? What was it used for? We all have our theories, but no one will confirm or deny anything. The only way to find out is to look around down in the library basement.

So many rumors fill the campus. Some are true and some are not. Some rumors make us think and some just make us laugh. Regardless, as long as there are students and staff on this campus, the rumors will never die.