ST. JOSEPH, MInn.—House parties meant to bring together graduating seniors at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University have divided students after some controversial photos and social media comments surfaced.
A photo from a party themed “Cinco de Drinko” shows students dressed up in sombreros, holding chihuahuas with a sign reading “Cross the border into the Quarters.” Another party was themed “Pigtails and Pedophiles,” with the host writing on Facebook “We’ll see ya creeps tonight.” Among other themes were “70’s and 80’s Classic Rock” as well as “Beer, Sluts and Togas.”
Students tell KARE 11 the parties were all part of the Fourteenth Annual Mandatory Senior Appreciate Keg, FAMSAK for short. It’s 40 days of parties leading up to graduation hosted by different seniors off campus and unsanctioned by both schools.
Students like Jacqueline Perez, a junior, believes some of the party themes went too far.
“I am a daughter of immigrant parents and so it hit my heart in a very negative way,” Perez said.
Perez said she and several students tried to speak up on social media but were shut down. Students who attended the parties wrote back claiming the parties were tradition and meant to be fun, according to Perez.
“It was hurtful that a lot of people didn’t really understand how it was offensive early on, “Trevine Saunders, a senior and chair of St. John’s cultural affairs board said.
KARE 11 reached out to students who hosted some of the parties but did not hear back by deadline. Saunders said some students have apologized on social media but feelings are still raw.
Senior Erin Wissler attended some of the FAMSAK parties. She was not present at the parties in question but said students are starting to understand the cost of their actions.
“I think there is just a huge feeling of disappointment with each other and embarrassment. I think we’re all very sorry for how the actions came across,” Wissler said.
Mary Geller, vice President of student development for St. Ben’s said since the parties happened off campus and were not sanctioned by the school discipline is tricky.
“We are going to continue to look at this and encourage our students to stay in dialogue on this cause,” Geller said.
“What better way to learn than to have your peers call you out on the values and behaviors that we simply don’t stand for,” she said.
A letter was sent out to seniors on Thursday reminding students of the schools’ human rights policy which states discrimination and harassment are reprehensible and against the schools’ mission.
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