Binghamton University found itself at the center of controversy on social media outlets over the title of a training session for resident assistants. According to the description, #StopWhitePeople2K16 training would give RA's the tools to help "uneducated" people better understand "diversity, privilege and the society we function within."

Conservative, student-run Binghamton Review blasted the university over the provocative title.

The terrifying implication here is not that students on campus think it is appropriate to call an event by that name, but that the university seems to endorse it as a proper part of a RA training.



Binghamton Review Calls Program Divisive and Politically Motivated

For a university dedicated to providing an inclusive environment, calling an event “#StopWhitePeople2K16” seems counterproductive at best. The name is divisive, politically motivated, and does nothing to actually prevent racism. If anything, it seems to imply that the “uneducated people” mentioned in the event description must be white.

On Wednesday, a Google search of #StopWhitePeople2K16 turned up reaction across social media outlets ranging from satire to outrage.

In a statement, Binghamton University's Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose said the university student-affairs office reviewed the session after learning of the concerns and verified the session was not "anti-white". He said about 40-50 people attended the open conversation format session. Rose said students explored reverse racism, the relationship of people with color with police, crime and segregation.

What we strive to do from an administrative level is cultivate an environment where our students listen to one another, learn from one another and do so in a manner that doesn't cause unnecessary harm. I have no indication that this particular program was inconsistent with the respectful environment we hope to support and sustain.

—Brian Rose, V.P. for Student Affairs, Binghamton University

Rose said the program title was selected from a familiar Twitter hashtag and not invented by the three student RA's.



"It is my understanding that the hashtag is commonly used ironically."

Fox 40 spoke with some BU students who said they had not previously heard of the program prior to Wednesday afternoon.

"The name is kind of like wow, what is going on right now? It's a little bit too much, but we don't know too much about it. But the name in itself just kind of does speak for itself," said BU Student Bimbola Bamgeose.

"I'm sure they had a reason for the name, I'm just not sure what it is. But I'm sure they had a reason for it. It's just interesting. Maybe it catches attention or something like that," said BU Student Jacob Dickoff.

Classes for the 2016-17 fall semester begin Thursday.