Spee Club Cancels Party After Controversy

The Spee Club has canceled a party planned for Saturday night after an invitation to the event drew criticism from students and Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana.

The Spee Club on Mount Auburn Street By Özdemir Vayısoğlu

On Thursday, the Spee apologized for circulating the invitation, which included an image titled “Playbear” and linked to a YouTube video, which has since been removed and featured clips of women wearing underwear. The apology followed pushback from some students who argued that its depiction of women was sexist.

“In light of recent events, we have decided to cancel tonight's party,” Vince T. Cooper ’15 wrote in an email to original recipients of the invitation on Saturday afternoon. “We will pause to reflect on the issues at hand, and we look forward to welcoming you all back soon.”

On Friday, Khurana characterized the invitation as “offensive, crude, and sexist” in an email to students.

“I am troubled by the lack of judgment shown in organizing and promoting this event, which runs counter to the values we hold as a community,” he wrote.

Cooper did not respond to requests for comment over phone and email.

—Staff writer Theodore R. Delwiche can be reached at theodore.delwiche@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @trdelwic.