BOWDOIN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Bowdoin College is disciplining students, including some members of the men's lacrosse team, after a Pilgrims and Native American party called "Cracksgiving" where several students dressed up in headdresses and warpaint.
In a letter to the student body, the Dean of Student Affairs addressed the culturally inappropriate party and said that cultural appropriation is "conduct unbecoming of a Bowdoin student.
The letter said that just before Thanksgiving, students living at 83 1/2 Harpswell Rd., known as the "Crack House," threw a party that encouraged students to dress up as Pilgrims and Native American party. Some members of the college's men's lacrosse team rent the home and about 14 of the members wore costumes to the party.
"Especially disturbing is that the hosts of this event knew—or should have known—that their actions would offend; yet they went ahead with their plans nonetheless," wrote Foster.
Foster said that last year students threw a similar party. Since then, faculty and the Native American Student Association has created and implemented programming to educate students about cultural appropriation. In anticipation of "Cracksgiving," student leaders held a "Cultural Appropriation Fashion Show" with the intention of educating students about culturally sensitive costumes. Foster said some of the party's hosts attended educational events but "chose to willfully ignore the message."
Bowdoin College has nearly 1,800 students enrolled, with about 30 percent identifying as a race other than Caucasian. Almost 90 percent of the students are from a state other than Maine. Bowdoin is arguably Maine's most competitive college, with the median SAT reading score 710 and math score 700, out of 800 for each.
Foster said that he and the dean have spoken with men's lacrosse team and their coach about the party. He said the team now recognizes that the actions "were hurtful."
The "Cracksgiving" party has been a tradition for several years with Bowdoin College students and also includes a canned food drive. However, due to concerns the university is addressing, Foster said students have realized it has "run its course."
The school will take disciplinary action against any student who dressed in Native American attire. A representative of the men's lacrosse team said that they aren't sure what the discipline will entail. Foster also said there have been personal attacks published on the mobile phone anonymous app Yik Yak and other sites. Foster described the posts as cowardly and said the university will not tolerate attempts to silence productive discussion.
they really should have thought it through 
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