Despite having resided at William Jewell College for over a century, the resident ghosts on campus are now being charged for each year they have “lived” on campus. Each ghost is unhappy with the new changes to their occupancy of various campus buildings.
A recent decision by the College’s administration has resulted in all four of Jewell’s resident specters being charged room and baord. Charges include every year that each ghost has remained on campus. I asked the ghosts what they thought of the recent changes in their campus status.
After meandering through stacks of admission pamphlets and Jewell coffee mugs, I was able to reach Mona, the girl who lives in what is now called “pool storage.” Mona did not appear to me in physical form, but she did communicate through drops of water falling from the ceiling.
“I’m worried that I won’t be able to pay off this much money,” Mona said, “I haven’t ever had a job, since I died when I was eight. It doesn’t help that I can’t even count to 100 yet.”
Only a small distance away resides the ghost of Peter’s Theatre. According to him, he had not filled out his FAFSA for the past 50 years. This would determine whether or not he would be able to officially apply for work-study, even though he had been helping backstage with theatre productions since his unfortunate death.
The laborious climb to the top of Jewell Hall allowed me to interview a particular Civil War soldier. When asked about the change in his financial status, he said that tuition already costs and arm and a leg, and since he’s lost both, he doesn’t have any way to pay for the new charges.
“Also, the business office is really taking their time responding to my emails. I emailed them 32 years ago about being paid for my historical contributions to the campus, and I never heard back. I’ve just decided to unleash a swarm of wasps and lady bugs upon Jewell Hall until they decide to respond to me,” the soldier said.
The ghost of the horse in White Science offered a singular “neigh” in response to questions regarding being charged admission.
Photos by Elizabeth Messina.
