We are writing in response to letters in the Wednesday, Sept. 29 issue that identified recent ads for SU Abroad programs as racist and offensive.

We want to make clear that the ads, though designed without ill intent, did perpetuate stereotypes and were racially insensitive. We have personally contacted the authors of the letters to apologize and want to publicly apologize to the greater SU community.

We plan to use this incident to move ahead in a productive fashion. We will be working with the university’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Lillian and Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services to conduct cultural sensitivity training for our staff. We are also reexamining our ad design and placement process and instituting tighter controls on the way advertisements are produced and vetted.

It is, and always has been, our mission to promote cross-cultural dialogue and superior learning experiences. We will use this experience as a teachable moment in order to continue our quest to be the best study abroad program possible.

Jon Booth

Executive Director SU Abroad

John Thompson

Professor, Illustration (PTG 300/DRW 500: ‘Painting and Drawing India’)

Department of Art

College of Visual and Performing Arts

 

Published on September 29, 2010 at 12:00 pm