Fall has finally arrived, and with it being most people’s favorite time of the year, what is not to love?
With October starting, it means pumpkin scents and tastes everywhere, the cool breeze, and the costumes. With Halloween at the end of the month, it seems like a bittersweet time that comes and goes so quickly.
But what is it about Halloween that people love so much? Is it the movies, the candy, or the fact that you can dress up as someone or something else, even if it’s just for one night? It could be all of that, or maybe it’s being frightened. People crave being scared and the thrill it gives you. It makes you feel…alive! And with Halloween, one of the biggest fright offenders is ghosts, spirits, paranormal entities, or whatever you call them. They are everywhere, with shows and movies like Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Activity, as well as many others; it’s hard not to hear stories.
Stories, true or false, spread like wild fire. UT Martin is no stranger to the paranormal. Anyone who attends school here can tell you about Clement Hall. Whether it’s a close encounter, or a dismissal, people know the rumors that circulate.
One group on campus is full believers in the unknown. P.R.I.S.M, or The Paranormal Research and Investigation Society of Martin, go on regular tours to try and capture a piece of evidence of these entities.
I spoke with the head of P.R.I.S.M., Casey McCasland, and he had this to say about Clement Hall,“students, including past RA’s, have witnessed and heard reports of everything from apparitions, doors slamming and rattling, as well as the infamous reports of a girl in a white attire walking up and down the stairs. Former Clement Hall 4th floor Southside residents claimed to have experiences of everything from hearing crying, yelling and in some cases getting locked in the community bathroom. Faculty and staff who work on the 2nd and 3rd floor have claimed to have things fall off their desk, shadows, disembodied voices. Visitors who have been on the fourth floor have reported strange happenings such as flickering lights and feelings of being watched or touched. Based on the evidence, experiences and test results we do believe the building to be haunted by several spirits but we do NOT believe anything harmful or any of the such resides in its dark hallways so don’t be afraid to go there.”
With all that being said and in consideration, I got curious and had to experience something for myself, after all, what is better prove then seeing it for yourself?
That night I spent around 2 hours wandering the halls alone with nothing but a flashlight and my manhood. And what I experienced was…. nothing. Absolutely nothing. Maybe the spirit sensed I was a speculator and chose not to make itself known, or maybe there really isn’t anything and all the chatter is something that was talked up so much it became real. So with all the facts laid out what is my final verdict? I can’t say for sure. Maybe there is something there, maybe not.
Keep your ears and eyes open, especially during this season. Maybe our speculations will be answered. Something we can all agree on, Clement Hall is one creepy place at night, ghost or not! You can learn more about P.R.I.S.M. and what they do at www.prismparanormal.net.
