Columbia University's Kappa Alpha Theta sorority chapter has come under scrutiny after photos circulated on social media of their Beer Olympics Mixer.
The Columbia Spectator obtained photos from a tipster via email and one showed a group of members wearing false mustaches, sombreros and shirts that read "down to fiesta." Other nations like Jamaica, the Netherlands, Germany and France were represented, but it is not clear if administrators approved the party.
The Chicano Caucus released a statement Monday that said they were disappointed with the Mexican "stereotypes" displayed in the photos. The group also said they received a verbal apology from Katie Barclay, the person who uploaded the photos.
"While we understand that the actions taken by these members may not have intended to be harmful, they were in fact offensive," the statement said. "Stereotypes are used to oppress marginalized communities. These pictures caricaturize Mexican culture and should not be overlooked. The attire trivializes an entire nation's history, its peoples, and its cultures, reducing them to a mere mustache and sombrero."
Columbia's Panhellenic president Jessica Chi also released a statement to the Spectator and to BWOG, who obtained more photos of other countries being represented at the party.
"The Columbia University Panhellenic Association fully recognizes the seriousness of the issue at hand and sincerely apologizes for any harm that these pictures may have caused," the statement said. "We are taking this matter very seriously and are working directly with members of the organization involved to address the situation thoroughly. We would like to stress that the concerns brought to light by this incident do not at all reflect the shared values of the Panhellenic community, or of Columbia's greater Greek community, but rather the unfortunate and unintentional misjudgment of a few individuals."
According to IvyGate, the party was co-hosted by the school's Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, but no photos of the men have surfaced. The party also should have had to be approved, but it is not clear if that occurred.
Columbia's interim Dean of Student Affairs Terry Martinez released a statement denouncing the party. Martinez also said the school is taking a proactive approach even though no groups have taken action against the sorority.
"I am incredibly saddened and disappointed to learn of students in our community participating in costume caricatures of several different nationalities," the statement said. "It is our utmost responsibility to ensure that your living and learning environment is free from any act or behavior that degrades individuals or groups, including racially or culturally- based insensitivity. I want to reaffirm our collective commitment to maintaining a supportive environment and call for us to be civil to and responsible for one another. While the intention may have been harmless, the actions taken have had an impact that may have not been intended."