UPDATE: Fairfield University Officials Continue to Investigate Off-Campus 'Ghetto' Party

UPDATE: Fairfield University officials are continuing to investigate reports of a “ghetto-themed” off-campus party over the weekend and have said students could face discipline depending on the facts that are determined.

Fairfield University President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx sent the following letter to the campus community on Monday:

To the Fairfield University Community:

I am writing to you today in response to an incident that occurred over the weekend where students living off-campus allegedly hosted a party, the theme of which perpetuated racial stereotypes that have no place in our community and only serve to offend and devalue people. I am personally aware of and sensitive to the impact that this incident is having on our student body. Both within and outside the classroom, we have spoken to many of our students, and heard the personal accounts for how this incident has impacted them. Their concerns go beyond the incident this weekend. To some within our community, this incident is symptomatic of conditions on campus that inhibit our many positive efforts to build a more inclusive, respectful, and safer community. In this instance, respect must not simply be extended to those we know, it must apply to those we do not, but who nonetheless see, hear and are impacted by our actions. This dynamic is something that as an educational institution we must continuously address.

I am personally committed to continuing to engage in critical dialogue to build an inclusive community of learners from a diversity of social, economic, racial, cultural, national and religious backgrounds. Fairfield University is explicitly committed as a Jesuit and Catholic university to a culture that embraces and celebrates diversity. We actively encourage conversations and multicultural education programs that deepen our cultural competence.

This week the following will be occurring on our campus:

• The Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs will be open and holding extended evening hours to meet with students to discuss issues, concerns and thoughts related to this incident;
• FUSA, through the auspices of the Student Senate and Class Presidents are holding an emergency meeting this evening to plan a student forum to occur this week;
• Faculty and administrators are planning a dialogue which will be open to all members of the University community.

More details on these events will be forthcoming.

I urge all of our students, faculty, and staff maintain the highest level respect for one another. As a University we have made great progress, but there is more we can and must do to build our learning community. I ask again that you join me in personal accountability and meaningful action to make us a better institution.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.

President

Original post

Fairfield University officials are investigating reports of a “ghetto-themed” party that was held at an off-campus residency over the weekend.

University officials learned of the party, which took place at a beach house, through social media and are working to get more details on what transpired, according to the Connecticut Post.

According to one social media report, students ”dressed up as African Americans and Latinos and walked around with forties.”

Fairfield University issued the following statement in response to the reports:

Fairfield University has learned over the weekend, students who currently live off-campus allegedly hosted a culturally insensitive party at one of the residences. University administration is working with students and diversity officers to investigate the incident.

Fairfield University is explicitly committed as a Jesuit and Catholic university to a culture that embraces and celebrates diversity, and we actively encourage conversations and support programs that deepen our students’ cultural sensitivity, while also impressing upon them that they are expected to be exemplary in their dealings with one another, and with everyone in the community. We expect that our students, faculty and staff maintain the highest level of respect for one another. We will be investigating this matter immediately, and will take appropriate actions as soon as the facts have been determined.

Since its founding, Fairfield University has been committed to an inclusive, welcoming community that represents the diverse cultures that our students come from and where they will live. Fairfield sponsors many different cultural and affinity programs and clubs that strive to increase communication and collaboration among cultural and identity-based student organizations. We offer a number of clubs and organizations that promote diversity, like the Racial Justice Social Justice (RJSJ) Student Group, Ally Network and such academic offering as the new Black Lives Matter course, launched in Spring 2016.