Student Leadership and Activities

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ATTENTION! Are you interested in being involved with a Murder Mystery on campus? Contact our office and we can support how to make that happen! Thanks for your support!

Murder Mystery Committee

Upswing in Crime? by Parker Peters, Reporter

In what could signal an increase in crime in the area, a local citizen and alleged mafia member has stated that local gangsters "are one step away from an all-out war. The summit on May 30th can't come soon enough." The source, who asked to remain anonymous, has stated that the mafia boss that he works for "has been a little edgey lately."

A spokesperson for the mayor's office had no comment on the story other than to reiterate that the summit will take place, the mayor is committed to fighting organized crime in the area and that our community as as safe as it ever has been.

ABOVE: A mafia member indicating his expectations for other mafias unless reconciliation is reached.

Archived Issues:

MAYOR PROMISES REDUCTION IN ORGANIZED CRIME

In advance of a prospective mafia summit in the coming months, Mayor Andrews has proposed a reduction in organized crime in the area.  “The time has come for us to talk with the bosses of the main crime families in the area and ask for a moratorium on illegal activities.  We acknowledge the ability for legitimate businesses to exist, but the illegal gambling, selling of intoxicating liquors, prostitution, racketeering and other activities must cease.”

This reporter has learned in the last week that the heads of the mafia families are willing to listen to the mayor’s proposals, but are skeptical.  One source said, “The mayor is an honorable gentleman, but we run clean operations here.  I don’t know where he gets the idea that we have anything illegal going on.”

It is estimated that the illegal operations generate approximately $4.5 million in revenue for the four main mafias in the area.  Alleged mafia groups will tout their donations to orphanages, hospitals and other causes, but rarely discuss the murders and destruction to our communities.

The mayor’s chief of staff, Barbara Knowles, offered some additional clarification of the mayor’s goals.  “We expect to host a summit of the main families to discuss what can be done to improve our communities.  There are times when it isn’t safe to walk the streets at night.  It isn’t unusual to hear the screams, shots from Tommy guns or the clicks of cases of alcohol being loaded into trucks bound for speakeasies.  The summit will be an opportunity to talk about these issues in a way that is beneficial for everyone.”

The summit is expected to be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009, although this hasn’t been confirmed by the mayor’s office.  Additional details will be reported as they become available.

Members of the mafia are encouraged to participate in this 1930's gangster movie! Your teams will be part of the mafia as you become embroiled in this murder mystery!

If you have questions, contact Jon Tucker at tuckerj@wou.edu.

What to expect from the Murder Mystery?

There are some things that you need to know before you embark on the Murder Mystery as well as potentially valuable information!

1.)           There will be waivers that each person will need to sign during the mystery briefing on the day of the murder mystery event.  These basically say that you are responsible for your own actions during the event.

2.)           The Interactive Murder Mystery starts at your official start time at a designated location (you'll be told where!).   You will be briefed as to the specifics and answer any questions you might have.  You will need to be there early, because we start on time!

3.)           Expect about a 4 ½ to 5 hour event.  The actual time will be determined by your actions and us.  Teams leave the starting area in 12 minute increments and our goal is to have minimal contact between teams.  Expect some walking during the event.  Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended.

4.)           You will be faced with a series of scenes as part of the mystery with actor(s) in each one.  What happens at each scene will be a combination of what you do and what the actors do.  Each scene is unique and each team may experience a scene differently.  Not all actors are located in a scene and may be between scene locations.

5.)           There is extensive walking in a Murder Mystery.  Be aware of time and potential weather issues when dressing (We encourage you to check the weather the day before). 

6.)           We will be providing some water for your use along the way and we may have some food for you to enjoy as well!

7.)           For the purposes of the mystery, your team will collectively be the main character in the mystery as well as individually, each person acts as if they are that character as well when you are not together.

9.)         This is not a race, but you don’t want to dally between scenes because of the numbers of people going through.  Expect about 10-12 minutes for each scene or so...but we will not overtly force you along.  It is also quite possible that teams will pass each other along the way.  Don’t worry about this since who knows what those fast teams may have missed!

10.)         Listen carefully to what the actors and actresses have to say and what they may or may not give to you.  Some of it may be very valuable, while some may not be.

11.)         If you get lost during the event, back track to a location where you know you belong and try again.

12.)         There may be some locations that require composure and little disruption of a normal environment.  Please respect the need for a business or organization to function normally outside the Murder Mystery event.  You may be watched by others not involved with the Murder Mystery, but feel free to act, not overact.  The future of Murder Mystery events rests in your ability to represent WOU fairly and with dignity!  There will be times in which it will be ok for you to go overboard, just use common sense!

13.)         Some props are OK for you to take and some are definitely not.  Anything that is OK to take will be given to you, will be labeled OK to take, or told for you to take.  Taking any props not allowed will alter the event for everyone and may lead to your removal from the Murder Mystery.

Last year's Murder Mystery