NAU responds to backlash over students' Halloween costumes

A group of Northern Arizona University students dressed up for Halloween as people who are homeless, including costumes supposed to depict an "immigrant mother" and a "veteran." 

The public backlash was swift, leading the university to publicly respond.

In posts on social media Thursday, NAU President Rita Cheng responded to people who said the costumes were offensive. 

"Northern Arizona University values diversity and inclusion. A recent Halloween post by NAU students has been taken seriously," Cheng said.

In a statement, Cheng said the students who wore the costumes had met with the school's dean of students and the vice president of student engagement and inclusive excellence. 

In the meeting with NAU officials, the students "recognized the seriousness of their actions and apologized," Cheng said.

She added that the school values free speech, but "speech that is demeaning to others does not represent our values.”

Photos of the costumes have spread widely on social media. A post from Oct. 28 calling out the costumes has thousands of retweets and likes. 

Screenshots of the students' costumes show them wearing make-up or face paint that makes them appear dirty. They're holding signs that ask for money. 

One of the signs says, "Immigrant mother of 10 — anything helps!!"

Another says, "Veteran, have prostate cancer, God bless."

Other signs say, "16 & pregnant," "Hungry college dropout" and "Recovering alcoholic."

The individuals in the photos could not be reached for comment.

Katie Stiff, 23, who lives in Gilbert, posted the images on Twitter, criticizing the students' costumes. She said she originally commented on the woman's Instagram post, wanting to give them the benefit of the doubt, but she hasn't heard from any of the students.

"It's just a complete lack of regard for people who are suffering," Stiff said of the costumes.

She decided to publicly tweet about the costumes after the woman didn't respond to her comment expressing concern.

"I just wanted accountability and for them to realize that this sort of thing really hurts people," Stiff said. 

Stiff said it would be great to see the students publicly apologize. And it would be nice to see a "stronger push towards inclusion and diversity education" for NAU students, she said. 

Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook.

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