Popular campus myths prove false

In the background a clock is set on 15 minutes after the hour, depicting the first myth.

Every culture possesses certain legends and stories that make it unique. When it comes to commonly accepted myths, our campus is no different.

Because of this, we at The Flor-Ala thought it would be interesting to explore the credibility of some of the more popular myths on campus.

Myth 1: The Tardy Professor.

It is the unspoken college rule — it’s 9:10 a.m., but class was scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. and the professor still hasn’t arrived. As the clock ticks, some students decide to leave.

“I left after 10 minutes,” Cooper said. “The professor said that she knew she was late so we didn’t have to stay.”

There is no official policy that states students can leave class if a professor is late, said Vice President for Academic Affairs John Thornell.

“Faculty members may be detained by circumstances beyond their control and when they do arrive to class, even after 10 minutes, they are entitled to teach the class,” Thornell said. “(That is) unless the syllabus specifies a wait period.”

Myth 2: The Ghosts of Campus Past

Some students, like freshmen Brady Johnson and Ariel Lefort, have heard parts of campus are haunted.

“I heard that Norton and the off-campus bookstore are haunted,” Johnson said.

Lefort was informed of such hauntings while she was touring campus, she said.

“I was told by my tour guide that the castle building (Wesleyan) was haunted,” Lefort said. “I don’t know if I believe it.”

Senior Jaleesa Diggins is a little paranoid to go into a classroom in Wesleyan alone, she said.

“I’ve heard too many stories,” Diggins said. “I’ve been in there every (time I’ve had class) for the past two years and I’m paranoid about going in a classroom by myself.”

Ghost sightings on campus are common, Thornell said.

“If (students) see (a ghost), (they should) capture it on video and send it to the Center for Extraterrestrial Research in Cullman,” he said. “They’ll be in contact.”

Myth 3: The Harry Potter Scene?

Freshman Dakota Smith’s SOAR counselor told her that part of “Harry Potter and the Goblet Fire” was filmed on campus, she said.

“(SOAR Counselors told us) the scenewhere Mad-eye Moody turns Malfoy into a weasel was filmed in the Math Building Courtyard,” Smith said.

According to imdb.com, all scenes in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” were filmed in England and Scotland, United Kingdom.

Myth #4 Wanted: Live Squirrel. Reward: Full Tuition.

Senior Ashley Jackson heard catching a squirrel will get students a full scholarship for a year, she said.

“The craziest thing I heard was that if you catch one of the squirrels on campus, your tuition will be paid for that year,” Jackson said.

If this is true, Jackson is going to try and catch one, she said.

Senior Jordan Harper heard of this myth from an admissions counselor at the university, he said.

“I asked somebody in admissions and they said it was true,” Harper said. “I don’t know if they were pulling my leg or not.”

Catching a squirrel is probably not going to get students a full scholarship, but it is deserving of campus recognition, Thornell said.

“Ask a friend to capture it on video and the university will post it on the UNA website as evidence of the talent of our students,” Thornell said. “Myths are a good way to add interest and intrigue on days when real life is kind of slow.”