Posted on 03/29/2008 12:35:24 PM PDT by RogerFGay
The Gamma Phi Beta sorority at University of North Dakota has been put on temporary social probation while the university investigates complaints stemming from a November party during which sorority members and their guests donned mock Indian garb and red face and body paint.
The temporary probation was issued by both the UND Dean of Student’s Office, which will investigate the complaints, and by the Gamma Phi Beta International office in Centennial, Colo.
The probation means Gamma Phi won’t be allowed to host or participate in social activities with other sororities and fraternities or other student groups, either on or off campus, during the investigation, UND Dean of Students Lillian Elsinga said.
Photos from the November party show sorority members in “Indian maiden”-style dresses and feather headdresses. Some male guests are dressed in makeshift loincloths and smeared with red paint.
Elsinga wouldn’t speculate on what, if any, penalty her office will recommend once the investigation is complete, but said, as dean of students, she did not condone the behavior be-ing described.
In a brief statement released late today, UND President Charles Kupchella gave his support to the investigation and said “appropriate action will be taken at the conclusion of the review.”
Gamma Phi’s central office also issued a statement today.
“Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority sincerely regrets the recently-reported actions involving chapter members at the University of North Dakota. We realize that the actions of the chapter demonstrate the need for greater chapter education about diversity and personal dignity.”
The Gamma Phi party first came to public attention late last week after Margaret Scott, an American Indian student who frequents UND’s American Indian Student Services house, found photos of the party on the Facebook site of Anastasia Ginda, the sorority’s current president.
The American Indian Student Services House is next door to the Gamma Phi house.
Scott copied the photos onto her photobucket.com site and forwarded that link to an anti-nickname campus e-mail list.
The Herald also linked to Scott’s photobucket site in its early coverage of the Gamma Phi party. Many of those photos have since been removed from the site and replaced with a note that they violated the site’s user agreement.
About 10 American Indian students wrote an official discrimination complaint about the Gamma Phi party late last week, and that form was delivered to Elsinga this morning.
Between 50 and 60 discrimination or harassment complaints are filed at UND every year, covering a broad range of issues, Page said. Elsinga said it has been several years since a complaint was filed against a fraternity or sorority.
Calls made to Ginda and the sorority house since Friday have not been returned.
Well, come on down. You’ll get a warm southern welcome when you get here.
Yup, unless Indians dress like Indians and stay out of Nordstroms - I AM OFFENDED! Insanity rules! s/
Who does wear traditional Indian clothing everyday? I certainly don't and I suspect none of those who filed complaints do either. Although, you have a point, this is just plain silly. If these students want to act like complete morons, then let them have at it.
This doesn't harm anyone other than those who were at the party. The photos will serve to remind them they were idiots in college. We all have those photos, regardless of race, creed or color. :) Although someone on the thread made a point that had the students been dressed in black-face there likely wouldn't even have been a discussion. Those kids would be in deep trouble and likely suspended.
College kids just like to wear clothing vastly different from their own when they get drunk and act like jerks. I suppose what I am saying is that I am not offended and that, stupidity, in and of itself, is not a crime nor reason for expulsion or any punishment.
College is for education and the 10 who complained, got an education on some drunken morons to avoid. Ours is not to cry and whine over little things like this, but to conduct our own lives with honor, dignity and integrity thus proving the mockers the idiots they aspire to be. :)
Pretty much the only people it’s safe to goof on these days are white trash and Evangelicals.
I'm sure everyone sees what I mean, even if they don't think such activities should actually be illegal. The party was insensitive, and the university was within its rights to speak up about it and take action.
You southerners, please keep the south authentic, and don't let the liberals moving there, with their intent to change things, change the culture there. I have a few more years before I can, but I intend to leave socialism behind me, and I hate to thing they will be able to liberalize the south before I can.
I’m saying there are negative stereotypes for every group, and we should grow up and accept that fact and understand we don’t have a right to not be offended. Don’t like how people dress at a party? Leave.
“I wish I was in the Land of Cotton ...”
Good heavens, when we were kids Indian costumes were a normal thing, as were cowboy costumes.
Here here!
LOL never watched or gone to the Kentucky Derby then I take it?
Thank you for your input.
That's the point I was trying to make. It is silly.
I understand what you mean by ‘culture shock’. I get the same thing everytime I have to travel. But at least I know it will be over when I come home.
I also regret the changes coming to the south. This area has a very fast growth rate with much of the growth from up-north. It amazes me that so many of the new comers are open with their dislike of the places they are leaving but are so quick to try to recreate the places they left.
A quick example. A few years ago we had a large influx of government employees whose jobs had been sent here. They were so happy to find out that they could afford much larger homes since the property tax rates were very low. Yet these same folks were some of the biggest supporters of a plan to raise property taxes after they arrived. I heard a lot of them state: “In Saint Louis, I was paying $6000 a year in property taxes. Here, I’m only paying $700. Why of course we should raise our rates.” The measure was decisively defeated with 7 out of 10 voting against. The teachers unions and newspapers were dismayed.
I don't think anyone has effectively disputed the point that if this had been done on the theme of several other ethnic groups that it is not considered acceptable to dress up as, there would not be any dispute about the university's response. Someone mentioned blackface. Right. And I'm sure we can all think of others. So just extend that same consideration to Indians.
And I believe the University has NO right to interfere in this matter period. No laws were broken, no one was injured. Hurt feelings don’t count. That goes for blackface too. Or togas.
I disagree.
Thats your right. Like the students have rights too.
Time to make these identity politics idiots fight amongst each other as they are doing the 2008 democrat party presidential race.
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