(U-WIRE) ARLINGTON, Texas – University of Texas at Arlington undeclared freshman Alexa Garcia-Ditta enjoys trick-or-treating even though it is normally an activity for children.

“It’s childlike,” she said. “But in a good way.”

Garcia-Ditta and other Arlington Hall residents spent Sunday, the eve of Halloween, walking around asking for candy from hall neighbors as if they were children again.

Trick-or-treaters looked for pink fliers on room doors to show who was handing out candy. If a door didn’t have one, they knew to move on to the next room.

Residents on the north side of the hall collected candy from friends on the south side from 8:30 to 9 p.m., and south-side residents trick-or-treated on the north side from 9 to 9:30 p.m., said Cody Hughes, Arlington Hall Council president.

Hughes said the goal of the event was to get people out of their rooms and more involved around the residence hall.

“We don’t want them sitting around in their rooms all the time,” he said.

He said Arlington Hall Council has sponsored the event the last two years with a solid turnout and decided to continue the young tradition this year.

“We felt that it was worth trying again since the students have said they enjoyed it,” Hughes said.

Fliers were distributed earlier than normal this year due to a past misunderstanding of trick-or-treating times, Hughes said.

“We made sure that there was no confusion this time around,” he said.

Garcia-Ditta said the event offered an opportunity for residents to become closer.

“We get to eat candy and build a stronger sense of community,” she said.

Communication freshman Aaron Eastep, who doesn’t live in Arlington Hall but was outside, said he doesn’t understand why the hall council sponsored the activity.

“I’d rather just stay at home and eat all of the candy I’ve bought myself,” he said.

By the end of the evening, Garcia-Ditta said she and her friends were looking forward to a candy-filled night.

“It’s going to be a giant candy potluck,” she said.

– Kim McQuire