'Border' party attracts nationwide attention

By Mary Georgevich and Jon McDonald

Click here to read the original story, "Theme party provokes outrage."

With national attention focused on Santa Clara following the reaction to pictures from a "south of the border" party that many found offensive, students have sought resolution through community meetings and conversation.

The Associated Press, The San Jose Mercury News and CNN were just some of the news sources that have reported on the controversial pictures from the party. Their coverage has provoked a strong response from the community, with some embarrassed and others concerned about the amount of publicity the party has received.

"The fact that there have been other incidents and nothing has been done demonstrates that there needs to be pressure on the university from the outside," freshman Jose Arreola said. Arreola hoped the publicity this party has received will spur change in the university.

Others, like senior Mark Gee, think that the incident has been over-analyzed.

"It's been blown out of proportion," he said. "The party wasn't attacking someone. It was more out of humor."

Students, including athletes, attended the "south of the border" party where some attendees were dressed as janitors, pregnant women and female gangsters. University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., sent out a campus-wide e-mail condemning the party two weeks ago. Over 250 members of the Santa Clara community marched in silence to his State of the University speech Tuesday, Feb. 13, to protest racism on campus.

Associated Students hosted an "'Orange' You Curious?" forum in response to the party last Thursday, which packed the Benson Memorial Center parlors.

"I'd never seen that many people at an AS senate meeting," said Anton Zanotto, AS senate chair. "There was a big sign of solidarity with all of us together in one room. As a campus community, we are willing to stand up to this issue."

Freshman Hannah Spitler said the publicity is not warranted.

"I don't think it's necessarily fair. The party was off campus, and the school didn't support it," she said.

Arreola said he is somewhat concerned that the publicity will reflect negatively on the university.

"I never want this institution to be portrayed in a bad light, but I think this sheds light on a part of Santa Clara that we all could help make better," he said.

Jim Briggs, assistant to the president, said he thought the coverage could be problematic for attracting minority students.

"The greater concern, potentially, is that it would affect the interest of Latino students in coming to Santa Clara," said Briggs.

Gee thinks that some people are afraid to say what they think about the party, especially in big groups.

"If you aren't outraged, people think you're racist," he said. "It's hard to even be ambivalent."

Bernice Aguas, director of the Multicultural Center, hopes students will learn from the issue.

"I don't think that punishment is the answer to this," Aguas said. "This is obviously a need for education and awareness."

Zanotto wants to support the MCC in developing a program to increase racial sensitivity through education and said that such a program will be completed as soon as possible.

"It's important to move forward now while we still have momentum," said Zanotto, "but also to do so in a very deliberate manner."

Events continue tonight with a diversity chat hosted by the MCC at 5 p.m. in the Walsh Hall basement.

Contact Mary Georgevich at mgeorgevich@scu.edu and Jon McDonald at jmcdonald@scu.edu.