No. 9 (November 3, 2016)

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University News

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A student voice of Saint Louis University since 1921

Vol. XCVI No. 9

Thursday, November 3, 2016

SLU spells out the do’s and don’ts for Halloween costumes Every October students at SLU and across the United States put together costumes both simple and complex for Halloween festivities. Costumes allow students to showcase their creativity and spend a night as someone different from their normal selves. However, adorning certain costumes can lead to trouble. Students commonly imitate cultural figures and celebrities. When students imitate cultures of which they are not a part of, or celebrities who do not share the same race as, they may unintentionally commit cultural appropriation. On Oct. 26, the Student Government Organization sent out an email about cultural appropriation and politically correct costumes. The Dean of Students also sent out an email with general recommendations for Halloween activities, which advised against “any culturally insensitive costumes.” Amanda Pekau wrote SGA’s message about cultural appropriation. She is SLU’s vice president of diversity & inclusion and co-chair of the Diversity Leadership Cabinet. Pekau quoted Su-

san Scafidi of Fordham University’s Law program, who described cultural appropriation as “taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions or artifacts from someone’s culture without permission.” Pekau emphasized the harm caused by taking costumes from minority groups that have been “oppressed or exploited.”

Political correctness as a concept is great.

We should be more courteous of eachoter’s cultures

By TREVOR ROGAN Opinion Editor

Dash Chavez, Student

She went on to describe the “Dos and Don’ts” when it comes to Halloween costumes. In doing so, she encouraged creativity, research and mindfulness among other imperatives. She dissuaded students from changing one’s skin color, dressing up as other cultures or “characters that trivialize injustices done to minority groups,” wearing sacred artifacts as costume jewelry or anything with offensive phrases or sexualizing minorities.

She concluded her message by acknowledging that some students would dress as they please despite her recommendation while urging students to understand the impact of their actions. Students at SLU have mixed views of cultural appropriation and political correctness. Dash Chavez, a sophomore, voiced support for the idea of political correctness, but thinks people should not be so easily offended. “Political correctness as a concept is great. We should be more courteous of each other’s cultures,” Chavez said. “Although it’s good, there is no need to be easily offended. I understand that things such as blackface are extremely inappropriate, but a costume that includes a sombrero should be blacklisted as racist and offensive to the Latino culture, not the Latinx culture — which, as a Hispanic born in a foreign country, I get more offended of someone saying Latinx rather than Latino.” Emily Johansson, a sophomore, described the importance of political correctness. “Political correctness has become such a conten-

Maggie Cipriano / The University News

Maggie Cipriano / The University News

See “Costumes” on Page 3

HAUNTED HOUSE: Last Sunday, Fusz hosted a haunted house. Pictured at the top: Nico Stranquist. Bottom from the left: Ramisa Hassan, Brett Jones, Marissa Ornelas.

Ken Bone encourages SLU students to get out and vote

Two years later, an update on the University’s Clock Tower Accords

By MEGAN HAMMOND News Editor

On Wednesday, the College Republicans hosted internet sensation Ken Bone at their weekly meeting. Ken Bone was thrust into the national spotlight after

sitting on a panel of undecided voters at the second presidential debate, which was held at Washington University. Soon after he asked his question, which pertained to energy policy and the environment, Bone started

trending on Twitter due to his striking appearance and infamous red sweater. In the weeks since the debate, Bone has continued to enjoy — or perhaps enSee “Ken Bone” on Page 2

Michelle Peltier / The University News

KEN BONE: Students pose with the 2016 election phenom, Ken Bone, after his talk.

By PATRICK HYLAND Staff Writer

Adopted two years ago, the Clock Tower Accords consist of 13 agreements made between the University and campus demonstrators in regards to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at SLU and beyond. The University now has the accords displayed on its website, along with updates on the status of each one. As of this writing, five of the accords have been achieved in full. Namely, an increased budget for the AfricanAmerican studies program; increased financial aid resources for retention of American-American students at SLU; an evaluation of SLU’s current scholarship programs to better serve African-American populations; additional college prep workshops for students in the area’s most disadvantaged school districts; and the appointment of a Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Engagement, since renamed

the Chief Diversity Officer. The Clock Tower Accords website also mentioned the hiring of a new admission counselor. Dean of Undergraduate Admis-

The University now has the accords displayed on its website, along with updates on the status of each one...five of the accords have been achieved in full...another four of the accords are still pending...three of the accords appear to be only partially achieved. sion, Jean Gilman Cox, says that the new counselor, Ryan Wilson, has been hired in the Pre-College and Access Programs Office. Another staff member added is Valerie Jensen, as-

sistant director for counseling outreach, to “focus on and expand work with new students and community programs,” according to Cari Wickliffe, the assistant vice president of the Division of Enrollment and Retention Management and director of Student Financial Services. This past academic year, the University admitted 22% more qualified AfricanAmerican first-year students, which equated to 100 students who were admitted. Another four of the accords are still pending. These include the establishment of a community center, which, together with another accord, will include an academic center for community and economic development. An update on the mutually agreed upon commissioned artwork is expected in January. The University anticipates an MLK statue in the CGC. A pair of steering committees are also in the works. One is on on race,

See “Clock Tower” on Page 2

INSIDE SCOOP: New MOCRA exhibit on grief Page 5

ARTS

SPORTS

XC Men post record performance in the A-10

The needed conversation about the Presidential Scholarship

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OPINION


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