Outrage over contest-winning costumes

I wonder what people think of this situation in the UK:



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-24835322

Quote:

Two students who dressed as the Twin Towers in a fancy dress competition have been condemned by university and students' union bosses. University of Chester students Amber Langford and Annie Collinge, both 19, won the Halloween competition at a nightclub in Chester. Their outfits depicted flames and explosions during the 11 September 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.

Now - I think it is reasonable for people to be offended at this costume. It is certainly in poor taste. And the girls are ridiculously stupid in what they consider to be an apology.

However:

Quote:

A spokeswoman said: "Both organisations (The University of Chester and Chester Students' Union) have begun an urgent investigation into the circumstances around which these images have been taken with a view to taking the necessary action."

As far as I can tell this was not a university activity. Although students, the girls were not officially representing the uni. I am not clear why the uni thinks it can take any actions against them for a private event, no matter how poor taste it was in. Apart from anything else, their poor taste was validated by the contest judge(s) and venue.



Thoughts?

via JREF Forum http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=268146&goto=newpost