Alpha Phi sorority and Phi Delta Alpha fraternity canceled their annual “Phiesta” fundraiser last week, sparking vigorous debate at the College, with some arguing that the event was culturally insensitive and others disagreeing, often highlighting the event’s goal to raise money for cardiac health. Students reported being targeted for their beliefs, both in person and online.
After canceling the event, A Phi and Phi Delt chose instead to raise money through an online crowd sourcing website, nearly reaching its $7,000 goal by press time. The houses raised over five times the amount earned last year, Phi Delt president Taylor Cathcart ’15 said.
Last week, after several students approached Office of Pluralism and Leadership staff with concerns over the event’s potential cultural insensitivity, OPAL and Greek Letters Organizations and Societies asked organizers to cancel the event. Cathcart and A Phi president Courtney Wong ’15 met with other members of their houses and Tabard coed fraternity members at 8 p.m. Thursday to discuss “Phiesta.” The Facebook event was canceled around an hour later that night.
Daniela Hernandez ’15, who sent an email to GLOS director Wes Schaub, Dean of the College Charlotte Johnson, OPAL and the Panhellenic Council upon hearing about the event on Thursday, said that, although she had asked for the event’s name and advertising campaign to be changed, she did not ask for its cancellation.
She added that, as news of the event’s cancellation spread, she has been the target of anonymous online comments on Bored at Baker and other sites. While there were nine pages of comments about her on Bored at Baker by Friday afternoon, she said, they have since been removed by moderators.
Various College officials, including Safety and Security, have contacted her, she said.
Noah Smith ’15, a member of Phi Delt, said he was wearing a “Phiesta” T-shirt at Collis on Saturday night when an individual approached him from behind and poured an iced red Powerade on his shirt.
According to Smith, the individual said, “Oh, I’m sorry, did I spill on your racist tank?” and then proceeded to mop up the spilled liquid, noting that he did not want to leave a mess for Dartmouth Dining Services staff.
Smith called Safety and Security, who gathered statements from witnesses. Smith said a bias incident report has been filed and the undergraduate judicial affairs office and the Hanover Police Department have been notified.
Guillermo Rojas ’13, the alleged perpetrator, said he spilled the drink by accident and apologized.
“I’m all for open dialogue amongst groups, but no one deserves to be physically assaulted, period, let alone without the opportunity to engage in some kind of dialogue,” Smith said. “That’s just unacceptable.”
Smith said he felt the criticism of “Phiesta” to be misguided, noting that he did not find anything about the event to be racially offensive.
The event, Rojas said, was offensive and culturally inappropriate.
“I’m Mexican. I don’t like it when people appropriate Mexican culture,” he said.
Of 13 students interviewed, many lacked awareness of the details of the event and were uncertain about whether it was offensive. Some noted that the event’s cancellation underscores the sensitivity of the current campus climate, while others suggested that a name change could have been a better outcome than canceling the event outright.
Abena Frempong ’17 said she understood why students might be concerned about the event’s cultural sensitivity, but added that she thought a compromise could have been made rather than canceling it.
Sarah Wang ’14 said the event’s cancellation underscores the current sensitivity of the campus climate.
Though organizers of “Phiesta” may have had good intentions, Geovanni Cuevas ’14 said, they should consider how themed parties can perpetuate stereotypes.
He said that the current campus climate likely impacted reactions to the news.
“I think that the current climate suggests that microagressions and what would otherwise seem trivial incidences of ‘-isms’ we’re currently facing will not go by unnoticed or uncriticized,” Cuevas said.
Wong said she was glad that people used the event to start a discussion.
“I think that it’s really important that so many people are expressing opinions on both sides of the spectrum,” she said. “That promotes healthy dialogue about what issues need to be addressed on campus.”
This article was published in print under the headline "‘Phiesta’ cancellation brings debate, funds."
