With Halloween rapidly approaching, there are a variety of events taking place on campus to celebrate the bone-chilling holiday. The Clayton Haunted Basement is a fundraising event that has been taking place since 2006, created to help out local charities while offering students a gripping scare.

Jeffery Akers, former Clayton resident director, initiated the program in 2006.

Luke Ahrens, who is the current RD of Clayton, said that it’s a group effort to make the haunted basement a reality.

“Typically, it’s a combination of residence life staff, nine RAs and about eight or nine members from hall council that design the concept each year,” Ahrens said.

The haunted basement is in collaboration with Peers Promoting Organize Wellness’ Halloween Spooktacular dance. Admission is one dollar or one canned food item, which will be donated to charities. Admission is for both the dance and the basement.

“A lot of people show up in costumes for the dance or they are coming from the dance…so there is a fair amount of people in costumes,” Ahrens said. “However, we also get a lot people who don’t dress up.”

Ahrens pointed out with pride the amount of successful events that take place in Clayton Hall and encourages everyone to participate in the festivities.

“Some of the best programs we have at Ashland are in our hall,” Ahrens said. “The entire building’s invited [and] even people beyond the building community.”

Ahrens emphasized that anybody is encouraged to partake in the program.

“Staff members and their families come as well,” Ahrens said. “So it does contribute to the community here.”

According to Ahrens, approximately 80 to 90 people went to the haunted basement last year. Many students have participated in the event and have enjoyed it.

Despite the restricted confines of the Clayton basement, the staff tries their best to make the most of it to create the biggest impact.

“We have limited space, but we really do what we can with it,” Ahrens said.

That isn’t to say the haunted basement is perfect. In fact, the staff is always thinking about ways to increase the thrill factor.

“Honestly, it’s still in the works, Ahrens said. “We’re assessing what we did last year and [it] should be a lot better this year.”

This year, with the various improvements made, the Clayton Haunted Basement is sure to be one of the best yet.