Think back to the Illinois campus tour you probably took as a high school senior.

Does the mention of the ghost that haunts the English Building ring a bell? Or maybe the story that kissing your love under the eternal flame on the Quad will allow you two to stay together forever? I would be willing to bet that your tour guide threw those urban legends into the discussion. I know mine did. 

They are interesting tidbits for tour guides to use and also great time fillers, because let’s face it, you can only talk about the Union and the Morrow Plots for so long. 

While most students don’t realize it, there are many different urban legends that have been circulating the University community for decades. Urban legends, or true or untrue tales and stories that have been passed down over generations, help promote a sense of camaraderie on a college campus. 

In light of Halloween coming up on Friday, I believe that students should take the time to indulge themselves in some of these legends. Some of them may be spooky, others strange and some are just plain frightening, but they all have one thing in common: They tell us the history of the University, whoever’s account it may be, fiction or fact.

Every university has a history and many different quirks that go along with it. Urban legends are a perfect way for students to learn more about the history of their school, all while having a little bit of fun trying to explore them.

Moving back to the ghost in the English Building, it has been said that the building used to be either a female dormitory or a sorority house. Regardless of which one, if either, it actually was, there was supposedly a pool in the atrium of the building. 

Legend has it that a student tragically drowned in the pool one night and passed away. This is clearly devastating if it is true, and some say the ghost still haunts the building to this day.

I think this could be why the English Building is one of the only buildings to remain locked overnight, many other buildings on the Quad allow key card access after hours, but the English Building does not.

Call me crazy, but I find this extremely cool and creepy. Not only are we learning a little bit of history about the University, whether factual or not, but we also might gain a little bit of excitement every time we enter the building. 

Urban legends add tradition and morale to a campus. It is something nearly everybody knows about and that can create unity, almost like a rival football team. 

I know every time I go in the English Building, I am on guard looking for signs of a ghost. Whether there is one in the building, the belief itself is entertaining. 

Another unique urban legend Illinois carries deals with the Main Stacks in the Main Library. Legend has it that many years ago, graduate students got lost and perished in the Main Stacks. It is also said that there is a ghost that haunts the stacks in a certain location at a certain time. 

Being a senior, entering the Main Stacks is on my bucket list, and I think it makes it much more exciting knowing that there is a legend that goes with where I plan to venture.

In addition to these, we have the legend of the eternal flame, the history of the Morrow Plots, predictions for when Alma Mater will take her seat, stories about the underground tunnels and myths about rubbing the nose of the bust of Abraham Lincoln in the foyer of Lincoln Hall. 

There are so many stories that have been passed down from different generations of Illini that are just waiting to be discovered by our current students. Every student should make an effort to learn about these stories to create that sense of unity among the campus. 

Instead of focusing purely on partying or watching scary movies this Halloween weekend, I encourage all students to find time to explore some of the University urban legends and get to know their campus a little bit better.

Take a walk in the main stacks, kiss your sweetheart under the eternal flame or go ghost-busting in the English Building — while it is open.

The campus is ours to explore. Learn about the legends and create that sense of unity among all students.

Rebecca is a senior in LAS. She can be reached at [email protected].