Last week, the University of Minnesota's undergraduate student government voted down a resolution to hold an annual "moment of recognition" on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, citing concerns that it might inflame anti-Muslim sentiment.
Now the group is facing a backlash on social media, particularly in the wake of Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.
The resolution, which was proposed by Theo Menon, a representative from the College Republicans, noted that "there is currently no official recognition" of 9/11 on the Twin Cities campus and urged the U to start such a tradition next year.
After a debate Nov. 10, the Minnesota Student Association rejected the resolution 36 to 23, with three abstentions.
According to an account of the debate in a conservative student newspaper, the Minnesota Republic, opponents argued that such a resolution could stir up racism against Muslim and Middle Eastern students. The story was later picked up by a Washington Post blog.
The response, on the student association's Facebook site, was swift.
"Are we allowed to publicly, on campus, mourn for Paris or would that be too offensive to some?" wrote one commenter.
"Absolutely despicable," wrote another. "You should be ashamed of yourselves."