Members of the Clemson University community gathered at a campus meeting Jan. 31 to hear students apologize for their involvement in a gang-themed party.

The party, which occurred off-campus the night before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, featured white students who painted their faces black and dressed to imitate racial stereotypes.

According to a statement from several student government leaders explaining what took place at the party, pictures from the event appeared on Facebook.com Jan. 28.

In their public statement, the group of student leaders — including Undergraduate Student Body President Stephen Gosnell, Director of Council on Diversity Affairs Ryan Fernandes and Graduate Student Government President Erecia Hepburn — wrote an apology on behalf of the Clemson University student body.

"Clemson is committed to being a place where all are welcome, all are affirmed," said Joy Smith, associate vice president and dean of students at Clemson University, in an interview with The Badger Herald. "This incident does not represent Clemson, and all students are coming together to show that."

Smith added Clemson's Office of Community and Ethical Standards is reviewing the incident and said any violations of university policies will be met with appropriate measures.

Smith said sometime late last week she was notified about the pictures on Facebook.com and heard many university students were angered by the actions.

"The first pieces are difficult, but students are now more than apologetic," Smith said. "At the time of the incident, [students] did not think about it."

After reading electronic messages on Facebook.com, Smith said all students needed to be informed, and added that a face-to-face conversation was necessary.

Students who organized the party contacted Smith via e-mail for assistance in making a public apology to members of the community they offended.

Donald Downs, director of the legal studies program at the University of Wisconsin, said it does not appear the incident is a federal crime, unless evidence proves it was a form of "fighting words" or a direct threat.

The episode is a form of individuals exercising free speech, Downs said, but he added the event was an offensive type of conduct.

"A marketplace of ideas can do its job rather than rushing to punishment," Downs said.

The discussion and reconciliation meeting Wednesday began with a dialogue where students apologized and ended with people committing themselves to help plan the next steps towards rebuilding the community.

Students also shared proposed ideas with the university in which the entire community could improve in areas of racial and ethnic tolerance and plan programs that could help implement such changes.

"Respect and appreciation of diversity are issues we intend to bring to the forefront of campus discussion," said the public statement from Clemson representatives.

Smith said prior to this event, the university put more resources toward diversity education. Now, she said, these resources will be used to facilitate opportunities for what Clemson refers to as "intentional communication conversations about race and diversity."