University tells students they can't wear 'offensive' Halloween costumes including cowboys, Indians, and anything with a sombrero

University of Colorado Boulder has asked students to avoid racially and culturally insensitive costumes

Students are not to dress up as geishas or American Indians and to avoid crime or sex-work-themed costumes

They were also asked to avoid 'crude stereotypes' such as 'white trash' and 'ghetto' themes and any costume with a sombrero

A U.S. university has told its students to avoid all 'offensive' costumes during this year's Halloween celebrations.



In a letter from Dean of Students Christina Gonzales, students at the University of Colorado Boulder were told to consider the impact their costumes could have on others.



'White Indian': This bizarre costume is made of faux suede with a faux-fur hood and boots

Among the themes students were asked to avoid were anything that portrays a particular culture as 'over-sexualized' including Japanese geisha costumes or dressing up as a 'squaw' (indigenous woman).

Also on the list were 'crude stereotypes' such as cowboys and Indians, any costume with a sombrero, 'white trash' and 'ghetto' associated costumes.



Gonzales also asked students not to host parties that may offend others, including those with 'crime or sex work' themes.



'Making the choice to dress up as someone from another culture, either with the intention of being humorous or without the intention of being disrespectful, can lead to inaccurate and hurtful portrayals of other people's cultures,' wrote Gonzeles.



According to Fox News , University spokesman Bronson Hilliard said that while the school condemns such costumes, students would not be punished for wearing them.

'When you dress up as a cowboy, and you have your sheriff badge on and a big cowboy hat, that's not a representation of a cowboy, that's not a representation of people who work on a ranch that's not a representation of people who live in the West, that's kind of a crude stereotype,' Hilliard said.



The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that University of Minnesota students have also been warned to carefully consider their Halloween costumes.

Party favor: Students at the University of Ohio create these posters each year to educate party-goers about what is an appropriate Halloween costume

Poor taste: Officials at Colorado Boulder are hoping not to see cowboys, Indians or any costumes involving a sombrero this Halloween



In a letter to students, the Office of Student Affairs asks students to 'take care' to avoid costumes that 'inappropriately perpetuate racial, cultural and gender stereotypes.'

Last year, a sorority at Penn State drew criticism for holding a Mexican-themed party where party-goers dressed up in stereotypical sombreros, mustaches and ponchos.



'As a student, I think you’re better off erring on the side of not dressing like something that can be questionable,' student Mike Schmit told the Star Tribune.



'Cowboys, for instance - totally fine. Indians - not totally fine.'



At Ohio State University, a student group’s annual Halloween poster campaign called 'We’re a Culture, Not a Costume' to remind students of the real offense their costumes could cause.



