PAUL SMITHS — Two students who dressed like Ku Klux Klan members at an off-campus Halloween party have sparked discussion of social justice at Paul Smith’s College.

College spokesman Ken Aaron said the costumes, which featured long white robes and pointed masks, were not intended in a spirit of hatred or as actions directed at any one person or group.

But the profound lack of sensitivity or awareness of how grossly inappropriate the act was has prompted college administration, staff and students to open discussion on diversity.

STUDENTS APOLOGETIC

When college administrators found out about the costumes worn to a private party last October, the two students were reprimanded.

“And that was swift,” said Aaron, who would not name the students.

“They both apologized profusely. They didn’t think about what they were doing, but it’s just as much of a problem that they didn’t think.

“But what they did raised some really salient points, which led us to realize, hey, we have to pay attention to this.”

With about 800 students, the private college is situated in the Adirondack forest, with little or no urban culture and very few people of color in the sparsely populated, rural towns nearby.

“A consensus emerged,” Aaron said, “that we have more work to be done here. We realized we still have an obligation to educate these students so they will understand how and why their actions were hurtful.”

A number of students expressed disdain at the Halloween costumes, Aaron said.

WOUND OPENED

The college sought the assistance of J.W. Wiley, director of the Center for Diversity, Pluralism and Inclusion at Plattsburgh State.