Students aren’t the only ones causing chaos on the Binghamton University campus. For the past 33 years, Libby Tucker, a professor at BU with a doctorate in folklore, has heard of many ghost sightings on campus. Some shape the history and culture of the University.

O’Connor Hall, Dickinson Community (1990s)

Students residing in the dormitory in 1993-94 found that the elevator had a mind of its own, going up and down when no one was inside. Three years later, maintenance staff in the building felt a cold spot in the subbasement of the building. There was talk of one member fainting at this spot and refusing to ever return to the area. Four other staff members heard screams and shouts from a ground floor bedroom during the summer, but when they keyed inside, no one was there. This room was not far from the self-moving elevator. In the fall of 1998, students reported ghostly images appearing in mirrors, and similar legends soon became localized to two rooms, 207 and 208.

‘The ghost appearing in the mirror story was put under my door that day,’ Tucker said. ‘Personal experience stories make legends interesting. They are things people feel and experience through sight, hearing and smell.’

WHRW (1960-70)

During the time when war protests were a daily sight on campus and rock and roll blasted across the radio airwaves, Moe Loogham, a spirit who was said to have brought drugs for everyone, visited WHRW.

‘People used to say that there were little black dots above doorways on campus, and these were secret signs that Moe was coming soon,’ Tucker said. A more recent account of the legend states that Moe is present in the WHRW office and looks out for the current DJs.

Current WHRW DJs said they feel his presence every time they walk into the office.

‘Moe is considered the spirit of all rightness,’ said Ferdinand Montalvo, the Radio Padre music director. ‘It is said that if everything is perfectly alright, Moe is with us. When things go bad and things break down, Moe is not here. He is our spiritual mascot.’

Moe’s name is also seen around different places on campus.

‘I was looking for a professor to help me with a paper and before the door opened and he came out, there was ‘Moe’ written on his cork board, that’s how I know Moe is here,’ said Joe Monte, general manager of WHRW.

Library fountain

A worker who was helping pour the concrete for the fountain lost his wedding ring during construction. Shortly after, his wife died. He returned to the fountain desperate to find the ring, and when he reached for the ring, the ghost of his wife appeared, glowing and staring at him across the water, according to Tucker.

Lecture Hall sundial

Upperclassmen often tell potential students of BU legends to induct them into the campus community.

‘When I was walking on my tour, I was told that if I step in the line of the shadow of the sundial by Lecture Hall I would fail all of my classes,’ said Randal Meyer, a senior triple-majoring in English, philosophy, politics and law and philosophy.

Fine Arts Building

A rumor that has spread across generations of BU students is that the sculpture of Pegasus, located outside of the Fine Arts Building, will fly away if a female virgin ever graduates from the University.

‘My mom went to BU, that’s gross, and my dad told me this legend, even worse,’ said Jordan Spiro, a 2010 graduate from the School of Management. Cornell University also has a similar legend.