Sorority Party at UND Prompts Discrimination Complaint
A group of American Indian students is upset about a University of North Dakota sorority party last fall in which students dressed up in Indian costumes and wore red makeup on their faces and bodies.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
This is proof there is racial insensitivity at UND and that not enough is being done by UND to combat racism on campus. Everyone should have to take a course in Indian Studies.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
The “it was off campus — we’re not responsible for other people’s behavior” defense exactly mirrors what the administration always brings up when fans do disgusting things with the logo. Responsible individuals in an organization are there to take responsibility — it’s called “on my watch” and it’s what you get the perks of office for.
When a group incites offensive and hurtful behavior, a leader’s job is to step in and try to heal any wounds as well as hold perpetrators responsible.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I disagree Sandy. Administration is not responsible for what happens off-campus. What someone does in a private location off-campus is their own business. It is absolutley not the responsibility of UND to monitor what every student does when they are off campus.
March 24th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
We live in a free country where people are free to offend and be offended. It happens, get used to it.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Of course the university cannot and should not monitor what students, faculty, or staff do when they are off campus, as Leah says. Like the university’s administration, however, a sorority’s officers are leaders, individuals who by virtue of their office create an atmosphere that characterizes the organization. And leaders are obliged by standards of civilized behavior to not create an atmosphere that invites or allows disgusting behavior in the organization’s name. Holding an event off campus and implying “and Indians” by having a Cowboys theme is a transparent veil. Further, the president’s posting pix of the event then claiming distance for herself from what happened seems odd indeed.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I have read only part of the article and when it was state “we invited them to dinner”. I thought why not go to them and introduce yourself. Why not get involved with some of their community service projects or social events. Yes this is a free country but we should be sensitive to others. When you offend someone you open yourself up to be offended. This is one of those teachable moments and I hope UND doesn’t drop the ball.