Latino theme party subject of university probe
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SANTA CLARA, CALIF. — A “South of the Border” theme party has stirred outrage at a Jesuit university in Silicon Valley after students showed up at the bash dressed as Latino janitors, gardeners, gang members and pregnant teens.
Photographs from the private, off-campus party organized by Santa Clara University students in late January appeared on the Internet soon afterward, prompting an outcry on campus.
One image shows a partygoer with a balloon stuffed under her shirt, making her appear pregnant.
In another, a woman wears pink rubber cleaning gloves and carries a feather duster.
“A lot of people have the idea that Mexicans or Latin Americans are all like that, and that’s wrong,” said Nadine Rasch, 18, a finance major from Guatemala who did not attend the party.
Paul Locatelli, president of the nearly 8,400-student university, has condemned the party. No students have been disciplined, but a campus spokeswoman said that the school is investigating the event and that the university’s code of conduct extends to students who live off campus.
A protest march organized by students attracted 250 people, while the campus has held meetings and plans a forum this week.
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