Trick-or-treaters haunt the ‘Magical World of Disney’ at the RMC

On Halloween, the Rice Student Center transformed the hallways and offices of the Rice Memorial Center (RMC) and Ley Student Center into the “Magical World of Disney,” complete with a slew of “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired activities in the Grand Hall that included everything from teacup decorating to rose-making.

Petre Freeman, Kate Abad and Catherine Clack (Photo by Jeff Fitlow)

An overarching Halloween theme is chosen by the Student Center staff each year and every department in the RMC dresses up staff and offices to match, including the Center for Civic Leadership (this year’s theme: “Monsters University”), the Office of Academic Advising (“Peter Pan”), the Office of Multicultural Affairs (“101 Dalmatians”), Study Abroad (“International Attractions at Epcot”), the Student Center administrative offices (“Alice in Wonderland”), Rice Student Media (“Coco”) and Student Success Initiatives (“Welcome to Disney World”).

“This year all of the offices in the RMC got together to plan much earlier and it showed with the quality of the costumes, decorations and activities in all of the spaces,” said Ryan Morgado, assistant director of campus events at the Student Center.

Close to 650 trick-or-treaters visited the RMC for Halloween. (Photo by Jeff Fitlow)

Both Rice students and the children of faculty and staff took advantage of the indoor trick-or-treating. About 650 of them snatched up candy handouts at Monsters University from the likes of such Disney legends as Cruella de Vil, Robin Hood, the Cheshire Cat and fearsome favorites Mike and Sully. Trick-or-treaters could even get their own Monsters University ID cards made in a photo booth.

“It’s a unique time of year,” Morgado said. “And we love the excitement that the students and the Rice community have for this holiday.”