title: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Warns Of 29 Offensive Halloween Costumes Not To Wear Or Else!
text: Leave your cowboy boots and Hawaiian leis at home this Halloween unless you want to hear from University of Texas-Austin administrators.Sorority and Fraternity Life, part of the Office of the Dean of Students, issued its updated  costume and theme resource guide  last week, instructing UT Greeks to avoid Halloween party costumes and themes that may  appropriate another culture or experience. It s one of many school-sponsored guides or checklists recently given to the nation s college students, particularly members of fraternities and sororities, telling them what they can and can t wear in the runup to Halloween.Though schools generally don t list penalties for wearing a costume considered offensive, a Greek official at Pennsylvania s Gettysburg College went so far as to warn fellow Greeks their chapters could be shut down if they wear the wrong costumes.Don t think about  sensationalizing  transgender celebritiesThe UT-Austin document informs students right away that their costume and theme choices will be scrutinized year-round, not just for Halloween.It advises them to keep themed social events  safe, appropriate, and fun,  and to avoid offending other subcultures by obeying a 29-point checklist.The guide encourages students to avoid  exotic  or  unique  themes, especially those which may reference a  living culture  or  current subculture.  It suggests that  sensationalizing  transgender celebrities such as Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner will be frowned upon. Have we consulted with  experts?  Is it educational?  the guide advises students in the event they decide to portray a culture. Such  experts  include  community leaders or faculty. Students should also be careful to avoid  utilizing generic store-bought costumes  that may not be fully  authentic  if the theme is cultural, the guide says. It suggests hosting a  non-social event  if students want to  educate  each other about a culture.It lists 11 separate  harmful  themes, including any  generalized representation  of Asian culture or  Indigenous  cultures, such as  Cowboys and Indians,  as well as  tropical  or  fiesta. Read more: The College Fix