UC Santa Cruz Apologizes For Mexican Food Served At 'Alien'-Themed Event

SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- A UC Santa Cruz college issued an apology for insensitivity after Mexican food was served during an intergalactic-themed school party, prompting complaints from students.

Stevenson College, part of the University of California at Santa Cruz issued the apology after receiving complaints from students, and others within the university, Fox News reported.

The students were upset by the decision to serve Mexican food at an event decorated with space-aliens due to the perceived connection to the term 'illegal aliens,' which is sometimes used to describe those who have crossed the border between the U.S. and Mexico illegally.

Student Life Administrator Carolyn Golz wrote in a statement that, "We would never want to make a connection between individuals of Latino heritage or undocumented students and 'aliens,' and I am so sorry that our College Night appeared to do exactly that."

The school will now require cultural competence training for all students interested in organizing on-campus events.