Binghamton University Responds To Criticism Over '#StopWhitePeople2K16' Training Session

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Binghamton University said the #StopWhitePeople2K16 hashtag used as the title of a recent training session was chosen for its irony and the session -- about diversity -- wasn't anti-white.

The optional, one-time session this month was organized by three student resident advisers as part of a training program for other RAs.

"The premise of this session is to help others take the next step in understanding diversity, privilege, and the society we function within,'' the program listing said. "Learning about these topics is a good first step, but when encountered with 'good' arguments from uneducated people, how do you respond?''

Criticism on social media implied that the university, part of the State University of New York system, was teaching a racist course.

Student Affairs Vice President Brian Rose issued a statement Wednesday, saying its purpose was to facilitate a discussion around issues of diversity, an effort he supports. He said that the organizers borrowed the session's title from a familiar Twitter hashtag, that he explained is commonly used ironically.

Rose said 40 to 50 people attended the session, which "explored reverse racism, the relationship of communities of color with police, whiteness, crime and segregation in an open conversation format." He said many described it as "respectful" and "productive." A few reported a mixed reaction and were later contacted by professional staff, he said.

"I'm supportive of the students' efforts to facilitate dialogue around a challenging set of topics," Rose said. "I have no indication that this particular program was inconsistent with the respectful environment we hope to support and sustain."

About 55 percent of the university's 13,372 degree-seeking undergraduate students are white, 14 percent are Asian, 10 percent are Hispanic and 5 percent are black, according to university records.

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