Dive Brief:
- The University of Minnesota's Office of Student Affairs issued a warning to students regarding Halloween costumes, urging them to avoid those that "inappropriately perpetuate racial, cultural and gender stereotypes."
- The office emailed the letter to students at both campuses on Oct. 10, and it does not cite specific instances of offensive Halloween outfits.
- Additionally, fraternity Beta Theta Pi issued a letter to members last week that included a two-page list of acceptable and unacceptable party themes.
Dive Insight:
It's not uncommon for college students to show up to class in costume on Halloween, nor is it uncommon for some to occasionally display poor taste. Getting out in front of the issue can't hurt, especially in light of incidents like the Penn State sorority that threw a Mexican-themed party last year, in which attendees wore sombreros, ponchos and mustaches. Notable "unacceptable" party themes on the Beta Theta Pi list include "black face" and "men dressing like women."