'Ghetto-Themed' Party

UCSD Officials Condemn 'Compton Cookout' Held Last Weekend

POSTED: 4:15 am PST February 17, 2010

SAN DIEGO -- Administrators at the University of California, San Diego are condemning a weekend ghetto-themed party thrown off-campus by fraternity students to mock Black History Month, but they aren't likely to discipline anyone, it was reported Wednesday. The so-called "Compton Cookout" event urged all participants to wear chains, don cheap clothes and speak very loudly, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Female participants were encouraged to be "ghetto chicks." "It's insulting, it's derogatory, we're being made fun of, we're being made a mockery of and we're not being taken seriously," said UCSD student Elize Diop, who is black.

The invitation read, "For those of you who are unfamiliar with ghetto chicks -- Ghetto chicks usually have gold teeth, start fights and drama, and wear cheap clothes ...," the Union-Tribune reported. Click Here To Read The Full Invitation UCSD student Chevelle Newell told 10News, "The part where it talks about black women … that's not what I am." Jeff Gattas, the UCSD executive director of communications and public affairs, told the Union-Tribune that because the event wasn't sanctioned by the university or run by a student organization, university officials don't have a reason to penalize party hosts. Campus chancellor Marye Anne Fox learned about the party Tuesday and reacted by e-mailing a statement to the university's student body and staff, according to the newspaper, which reported less than 2 percent of UCSD's undergraduates are black. "We were distressed to learn that over the weekend an offensively themed student party, mocking the commemoration of Black History Month, took place off campus," her statement read. "We strongly condemn this event and the blatant disregard of our campus values." Click Here To Read Chancellor Fox's Full Statement The university publicly identified the party planners only as a group of students but in an e-mail obtained by the Union-Tribune from Gary Ratcliff, assistant vice chancellor for student life, the event was linked to Pi Kappa Alpha. "It was not an official Pike event, but the students who posted it on Facebook were members of Pike and other frats," he wrote, the newspaper reported. Garron Engstrom, president of Pi Kappa Alpha, issued a statement Wednesday which denied the fraternity was associated with the party. Click Here To Read Pi Kappa Alpha's response UCSD student Arthur Vigil said, "It's very insensitive. I don't think they're representing the school well." Read The Invitation To The "Compton Cook Out," As Posted On Facebook:

"February marks a very important month in American society. No, i'm not referring to Valentines day or Presidents day. I'm talking about Black History month. As a time to celebrate and in hopes of showing respect, the Regents community cordially invites you to its very first Compton Cookout. For guys: I expect all males to be rockin Jersey's, stuntin' up in ya White T (XXXL smallest size acceptable), anything FUBU, Ecko, Rockawear, High/low top Jordans or Dunks, Chains, Jorts, stunner shades, 59 50 hats, Tats, etc. For girls: For those of you who are unfamiliar with ghetto chicks-Ghetto chicks usually have gold teeth, start fights and drama, and wear cheap clothes - they consider Baby Phat to be high class and expensive couture. They also have short, nappy hair, and usually wear cheap weave, usually in bad colors, such as purple or bright red. They look and act similar to Shenaynay, and speak very loudly, while rolling their neck, and waving their finger in your face. Ghetto chicks have a very limited vocabulary, and attempt to make up for it, by forming new words, such as "constipulated", or simply cursing persistently, or using other types of vulgarities, and making noises, such as "hmmg!", or smacking their lips, and making other angry noises,grunts, and faces. The objective is for all you lovely ladies to look, act, and essentially take on these "respectable" qualities throughout the day. Several of the regents condos will be teaming up to house this monstrosity, so travel house to house and experience the various elements of life in the ghetto. We will be serving 40's, Kegs of Natty, dat Purple Drank- which consists of sugar, water, and the color purple , chicken, coolade, and of course Watermelon. So come one and come all, make ya self before we break ya self, keep strapped, get yo shine on, and join us for a day party to be remembered- or not. "

Read The Full Statement From UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox:

UCSD
CAMPUS NOTICE
University of California, San Diego

OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR - STUDENT AFFAIRS February 16, 2010 ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UCSD ALL STUDENTS AT UCSD SUBJECT: Condemnation of Off-Campus Party and Affirmation of Principles of Community We were distressed to learn that over the weekend an offensively themed student party, mocking the commemoration of Black History Month, took place off campus. We strongly condemn this event and the blatant disregard of our campus values. Although the party was not a UC San Diego student-organization sponsored event, participants did include UC San Diego students and that causes us great concern. As stated in our Principles of Community, http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/policies/POC/principles-of-community.html, we reject acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs, and, we will confront and appropriately respond to such acts. We reaffirm our Principles of Community http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/policies/POC/principles-of-community.html and encourage the campus to join us in our affirmation. In addition, we invite students, staff and faculty to participate in a teach-in from noon to 2 p.m. on February 24 in the Price Center East Ballroom to explore how such incidents continue to occur today and to discuss the importance of mutual respect and civility on our campus. Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor Penny Rue
Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs

Pi Kappa Alpha Denies Any Involvement With Party: The UCSD chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity denies any association with the controversial "Compton Cookout" party held by a "group of [UCSD] students", identified by the University. Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) strongly condemns such actions and prejudices as the fraternity prides itself of representing a diverse cross-section of the UCSD student body. This party was not a Pike event, nor was it endorsed by the fraternity. The fraternity regrets the display of ignorance and error-of-judgment made by any individual members who may have attended or were associated via social-media with the racially-offensive party. These actions are in direct violation of Pike's code of conduct, and appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken with such members. While Pi Kappa Alpha accepts no direct involvement in the planning of this party, the fraternity encourages all in attendance to reach out to the African American community, as well as the UCSD community at large, with a sincere and effective reconciliation program. Such a program will be focused toward the education and individual growth of the chapter members relating to cultural awareness at UCSD. The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at UCSD has proudly represented the ideals of diversity, scholarship, leadership, athletics and gentlemanly conduct on the UCSD campus since 1997. Garron Engstrom

President, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity - UCSD Chapter

For More Info:

http://www.comptoncookout.com/