MADERA, Calif. \u2014 A Halloween costume contest held at Madera Community College last month is under investigation by the State Center Community College District.<\/p>\n
The investigation appears to center around photos that were distributed by an anonymous faculty group online. They show Cory Burkarth, the director of marketing and communications at Madera Community College, dressed in an outfit that closely resembles long-time math instructor and president of the academic senate Todd Kandarian. Burkarth appeared in the ensemble during an on-campus Halloween party with staff and administrators on Oct. 31. Days after the costume contest, Kandarian came forward and said he was discriminated against over his weight.<\/p>\n
Burkarth\u2019s costume featured a bald cap, a blue-patterned button-up shirt with padding under it that enlarged the torso area, shorts and glasses, a brown satchel bag and a large AMPM water jug, according to the photos.<\/p>\n
Kandarian, who spoke out about the matter to college administrations and later spoke to KVPR, said the outfit was very similar to what he wears to work during the warmer months. He did not attend the Halloween party and said he was shocked and offended when he received photos of the costume.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt awful,\u201d Kandarian said. \u201c[Burkarth] clearly had gone out of his way to stuff something down his shirt to make himself look extra fat. He was wearing a bald cap and it’s kind of accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n
A group photo also depicts Burkarth holding a gift basket which Kandarian believes was a prize for the contest winners.<\/p>\n
Another photo shows what appears to be a judging table. It includes top college administrators. The photo shows them filling out what appear to be evaluation sheets for the contest. Among the judges is the president of the college, Angel Reyna.<\/p>\n
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Courtesy of Todd Kandarian<\/p>\n
Five administrators fill out evaluation forms with the name \u201ccostume contest\u201d at the top, including college president Angel Reyna on the far right.<\/p>\n
Kandarian said he\u2019s humiliated that these photos have spread throughout the school.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy entire campus community is looking at me as the butt of a joke,\u201d Kandarian said. \u201cI never ever thought that I would have to deal with a situation like this. I mean it’s so childish and immature.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kandarian and several other faculty members took their concerns to the State Center Community College District\u2019s board of trustees meeting on Nov. 4.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas this insensitive costume payback, spite, retribution? I’m sure [Reyna] will say that it was harmless, or all in good fun,\u201d Kandarian said to the board during public comment. \u201cMaybe he’ll even say I should take it as a compliment. I’m sorry, but fat-shaming is never OK.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two days later Kandarian filed two complaints against Burkarth and Reyna with the college district\u2019s human resources department. He alleged unlawful discrimination for his medical condition as \u201cobese.\u201d The next day, SCCCD Chancellor Carole Goldsmith emailed college staff to say that the \u201cmatter is being taken seriously and under active investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a Nov. 12 statement to KVPR a district spokeswoman confirmed the incident was still under investigation but would not offer any other comment.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause this involves personnel, we are unable to discuss or comment further,\u201d Jill Wagner, the district’s spokeswoman, said.<\/p>\n