 "Photo: Karl McDonald")
Hate crimes and bias incidents on and near campus are an increasing concern of the student body, students said at a campus forum Wednesday.
Students got some of their questions answered when the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement hosted a panel discussion on responding to bias incidents and hate crimes on campus.
This discussion stemmed in part from a recent Daily Texan Firing Line submitted by a student concerned with a "Ghetto Mexican/Cholo party" that was rumored to have been in the planning stages by an undisclosed UT fraternity. Racially-insensitive themed parties are a common concern for the Office of the Dean of Students, said Margarita Arellano, senior associate dean of students.
Though these parties are offensive to some students, there are no institutional rules prohibiting such events. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled against universities who have attempted to penalize students in similar circumstances, citing students' First Amendment rights to protect this form of expression, Arellano said.
"We do think that although an institutional rule is not violated, we need to have a conversation with those students," Arellano said.
The Office of Student Affairs tries to approach students whose actions have been deemed insensitive and make those students aware of the negative emotions they have triggered in others, said Jennifer Hammat, assistant vice president of student affairs. Most often students are not acting with malice, but rather are not aware of or are not sensitive to the fact that their actions may offend others, Hammat said.
There are many ways students can voice their opinions on hate crimes and bias incidents, including writing a Firing Line and participating in marches on the West Mall, said human development senior Nicole Trinh, vice president of Student Government. SG also sponsored Keep UT Hate Free week last semester for the first time, addressing such topics as socioeconomic status and religious diversity.
Though no educational training may be required by the school in such incidences, it is often recommended.
"From the student organizational perspective, educational training is crucial," Trinh said.
In the past, the University has not wanted to make one required course in diversity, but instead offers a wide range of classes that aren't required, Arellano said.
"Is that enough? I don't think so," he said.
There is talk of implementing a requirement for fall 2008 of at least one course that addresses racial, cultural and ethnic diversity. There will be options in courses that fulfill the requirement, said Michele Guzman, assistant vice president of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement.
