In a memo sent out this week, the University of Florida announced it will be offering 24/7 counseling to students traumatized by Halloween costumes this year. As a graduate of Florida State University, I take a lot of pleasure in ripping on the Florida Gators but this is just sad, and I feel weird about poking fun at just how far this University has fallen by choosing to offer 24/7 grief counseling to any students that feel traumatized from seeing offensive Halloween costumes.
You can read the memo in full here, but in the meantime here’s the relevant excerpt:
October brings fall weather and Halloween. If you choose to participate in Halloween activities, we encourage you to think about your choices of costumes and themes. Some Halloween costumes reinforce stereotypes of particular races, genders, cultures, or religions. Regardless of intent, these costumes can perpetuate negative stereotypes, causing harm and offense to groups of people. Also, keep in mind that social media posts can have a long-term impact on your personal and professional reputation. The University of Florida’s Division of Student Affairs Diversity and Social Justice Statement reminds us that UF fosters a community that values and respects diversity. An inclusive definition of diversity recognizes the variety of personal and social experiences that make individuals and communities different from one another.
As a community, we aspire to demonstrate integrity, respect, and compassion that strives to maintain an affirming campus climate for all members of our community. If you are troubled by an incident that does occur, please know that there are many resources available. Please take advantage of the 7 day a week presence of the U Matter, We Care program at the University of Florida by emailing u—–@ufl.edu. Additionally, there is a 24/7 counselor in the Counseling and Wellness Center available to speak by phone at —–
According to HeatStreet, the University of Florida isn’t offering guidelines or explicitly telling students what constitutes an offensive costume, but they are there if/when students are traumatized by Halloween with counseling and safe spaces:
If the Bias Education and Response Team receives a report about an offensive Halloween costume, it reaches out to the person who complained, offering support and other services, Sikes said.
“Depending on the circumstances, we might reach out to the person who was listed as wearing the costume and see what support or resources they might need as well,” she said. “No one is required to talk to BERT. If the individuals involved desire further conversations with us or each other, we would help facilitate this.”
Drink it in. This is the state of higher education in America.
I at least hope that the University of Florida is offering the Gators Football Team grief counseling every time those players get their asses handed to them by the Seminoles of Florida State, something that’s happened 5 of the past 6 times the two teams met. I can’t imagine that seeing a Halloween costume is any more traumatizing than getting absolutely owned by your bitter rival, but then again I cannot fathom being traumatized by seeing a Halloween costume…
By the way, if you haven’t yet picked up or picked out a Halloween costume yet for this year I put together this list of 9 Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes For Bros, so check it out!
…(h/t DailyMail / HeatStreet)…