Sports club students who dressed up in blackface disciplined by university
A university has taken disciplinary action against a group of sports club students who dressed up in blackface.
Leicester de Montfort University had launched an investigation into a series of photos shared on social media, showing at least nine male students with their skins artificially darkened.
The photos first began to be shared in early June by a woman who said they had been sent to her black boyfriend, prompting the university to investigate.
The photos show a group of male students in suits and ties on an end-of-season sports club night out. Some have darkened their faces with what the university said was fake tan.
Three months later the investigation has now finished, it is unclear when the photos were originally taken.
However, the decision by the university to not say what the disciplinary action taken was or who the offenders were has sparked criticism from current graduates.
One student said the university had failed to grasp "how upsetting and inappropriate" the photos were.
A spokesman from Leicester de Montfort said: "Many of our community and beyond were understandably deeply upset by these photographs and by the association with 'blackface' and 'blacking up'.
"[We] recognise this behaviour fell far short of what we expect from students at the institution."
But some have called the response "watered-down", with little detail on the punishment and fears the students got off lightly.
Rosie Vacciana-Browne, a 21-year-old recent graduate, said: "Ultimately for me the statement given was not sufficient after three months.
"It wasn't an association with blackface - it was blackface. It seems they aren't grasping how upsetting and inappropriate the incident was.
"The feeling is the university might have just had a strong word which really is not enough."
De Montfort Students' Union (DSU) had issued a statement on Twitter about the pictures which read: “DSU is aware of the images currently circulating on Twitter involving DMU students.
“We are extremely concerned by these photos and are working with the university to investigate the matter as a matter of priority.”
