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The party initiated discussions about racism and garnered national media attention, with stories in the New York Times, Washington Post, and USA Today.
Students have expressed support and opposition to the party across social media. There have been class discussions about the party and an emergency meeting was set for the Fairfield University Student Association Senate to prepare for the forum, said the Fairfield Mirror.
President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. and Student Body President Anif McDonald ’16 addressed the issues in emails to students Monday. McDonald announced the forum in his message and implored students to discuss the matter with their peers to get past racial issues on campus, said the Fairfield Mirror.
“It is crucial that we all look up what White privilege is and how it functions explicitly and implicitly on this campus,” he wrote, according to the Fairfield Mirror.
“I also encourage you to engage in dialogue with your friends around this issue regardless of how uncomfortable it may be. I urge all of you who have something to say to actually speak up."
In an official statement, Fairfield University officials said they are committed to a culture that celebrates and embraces diversity, and will take appropriate actions as soon as the facts are determined.
"Fairfield University has learned that 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,". the statement said.
"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 offerings as the new Black Lives Matter course, launched in Spring 2016."
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