Despite their lofty SAT scores and sterling academic credentials, some Northwestern University students apparently need remedial instruction when it comes to selecting appropriate Halloween costumes.
In an e-mail sent to the campus late Monday, Dean of Students Burgwell Howard warned against wearing racially or culturally insensitive costumes this weekend. He also discouraged "ghetto," "pimps and hos" and "gangsta" parties at the esteemed Evanston university.
"Halloween is unfortunately a time when the normal thoughtfulness and sensitivity of most NU students can be forgotten and some poor decisions are made," Howard wrote.
The directive follows a 2009 incident in which two students attended a Halloween party in black face and pictures of their costumes appeared on Facebook. The photos sparked outrage at the university and prompted a public forum to discuss racism on the predominately white campus.
In a similar 2007 episode, two Ph. D. students posted pictures of themselves in blackface around Halloween.
"In many cases the student wearing the costume has not intended to offend, but their actions or lack of forethought have sent a far greater message than any apology could after the fact," Howard wrote.
And lest there be any confusion, Howard provided students with a list of questions to ask before selecting one's Halloween attire: Is the costume based on making fun of real people or cultures? Does the costume promote cultural myths? Could someone take offense to it?
Students who answered "yes" to any of these questions were urged to rethink their choices.
Kellyn Lewis, a junior who organized the campus forum after last year's incident, said the e-mail sends an important message about the university's commitment to inclusivity.
"It shows a sense of renewed awareness of cultural and racial sensitivity," he said. "It needed to go out."
Lewis added that he's not dressing up for Halloween this year because he has class papers that are due.
Hiro Kawashima, the student government executive vice president, said the dean's advice could help ease tensions between students who live off campus and their non-student neighbors in Evanston.
Earlier this month, Evanston residents complained to village and school officials about hard-partying NU students being rude, leaving piles of garbage on front yards and urinating on people's property.
Kawashima said he believes his classmates will heed Howard's advice for everyone to be on their best behavior this weekend and to not antagonize year-round Evanstonians any further.
"I have a lot of faith in the student body," said the junior from Wilmette. "People learned a lot from last year's incident."
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