BYU officials investigating after student wears blackface to costume party on campus


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PROVO — Brigham Young University officials are investigating after a student attended a costume party earlier this week allegedly in blackface.

The incident took place Thursday at the AdLab in the George H. Brimhall Building on campus, according to Ed Carter, director of BYU’s School of Communications.

In an emailed statement to KSL, Carter said he’s already met with the student and plans to continue reviewing the incident. Carter added that he is working with university administrators to come up with appropriate disciplinary measures regarding the student’s “improper and offensive behavior.”

“While I am reserving judgment on the outcome, I will say that this kind of behavior appears to be out of line with the school’s Professionalism Statement and that repercussions could include warning, suspension or removal from the communications major,” a Friday statement from Carter to BYU faculty, staff, and the students who reported the incident, said.

The statement linked to the school's statement on diversity that says, in part, "we categorically oppose prejudice and reject behavior that excludes, marginalizes or is derisive of others and we unreservedly affirm principles of justice, inclusion and equity. Faculty, staff, and students have a shared responsibility to promote a positive environment that is welcoming of all peoples."

Carter told KSL that officials plan to address the students who attended the party. He said he intends to express his disappointment about the incident, issue an apology on behalf of the School of Communications, and share his aim that the college will conduct diversity training for faculty, staff and students.

The student, whom school officials did not identify, later issued an apology via Slack to the other students who were present at the costume party, according to Carter.

Carter said he and other faculty members are "discussing a possible further response" by the AdLab that may see the "production of creative messaging to foster improvement and learning on issues involving race, media, understanding, tolerance and love."

Meanwhile, all “large student meetings” in the lab where the costume party took place have been suspended while school officials "clarify the purpose of those meetings," the statement to KSL read.

Carter said the school will continue reviewing the situation and anticipate a resolution in the next week.

The costume party happened a day before BYU’s live-streamed Kerner+50 symposium. The event, organized by the Social Justice Project — a collaboration between BYU, Morgan State University and West Virginia University — focused on media and diversity.

Carter said he informed the partnering schools’ academic leaders about the incident and hopes to continue "long-standing efforts" to work with and participate in faculty exchanges with other schools.

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Yvette Cruz is the social media manager for KSL.com. She oversees the social media strategy for the local news outlet and seeks different ways to inform Utah audiences through various platforms. Yvette is also the editor of the lifestyle section. Prior to joining KSL.com she worked as an assignment desk editor for the local Univision station in Chicago.

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