The College Fix

UPDATED

In an effort to welcome back students to campus, the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host a “Welcome BBQ” intended only for students of color.

The event is scheduled for September 12, four days after the start of the academic year at UW. It will be free of charge to attendees, according to a flyer obtained by The College Fix.

“All are welcome, intended for self-identifying people of color,” the flyer states.

Though the barbeque is advertised in several dining hall locations on campus, it is not listed on the campus events calendar nor the University Housing events and activities page.

In contrast, a “Latinx New Student Welcome” is posted online.

However, in a statement Tuesday morning to The College Fix, UW-Madison spokesperson Meredith McGlone said there is nothing unusual about the way the campus is advertising the event.

“Regarding event promotion … it is standard practice for Housing to use signs rather than online listings to promote events organized within the hall intended primarily for hall residents,” she said via email. “The Latinx Student Welcome is not organized by Housing and is targeted to a broader audience, which is why it’s promoted online.”

Hosting the barbecue is the university’s Center for Cultural Enrichment, whose mission includes “embracing all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, classes, abilities, or any other aspects of identity we hold.”

Representatives from CCE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The College Fix on Monday.

The barbeque comes as one of many scheduled upcoming events such as a presentation on “Understanding And Minimizing The Role Of Implicit Bias In Microaggressions,” and a university sponsored march on Bascom Hall, one of the campus’ administrative buildings.

Editor’s note: The article has been updated to include a statement from UW-Madison spokesperson Meredith McGlone and the headline and story have been amended to reflect her comments.   

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