Autumn Boggues didn't expect to be surrounded by security guards during her first visit to Sparty's Night Club last month.

"When we started to dance, we noticed about 12 security guards watching us, and they would not leave," the political science and pre-law freshman said. "They followed us around from the time we walked in there until the time we left."

She and her friends noticed a sign posted in a window of the club, located at 410 S. Clippert St. in Lansing, that she thought was "very offensive."

The sign showed a dress code instituted by the club. Clothing brands such as FUBU, Sean John and Phat Farm are not allowed to be worn at the club, as are "work boots" and "thick gold or silver chains."

The brands are clothing companies predominantly owned and worn by black people.

"If they don't want casual apparel, that's what they need to say," she said. "But they specifically zoned in on black people, and every line of clothing that young black males affiliate themselves with."

A manager at the club, who did not give his name, would only say that a dress code has been in place for more than two years, and would not comment if the code excludes specific clothing brands.

After members of Akers Hall Black Caucus heard about the dress code, they posted fliers throughout the hall inviting residents to attend a fictional establishment named "Club Tragedy," with a dress code excluding predominantly white-owned brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch.

The flier included a disclaimer saying it was not a real advertisement, but also an invitation to attend an Akers Hall Black Caucus meeting on Wednesday night to discuss Sparty's dress code.

Lashonda Carter, president of the caucus, said that because of the club's proximity to campus, it's important to make students aware of the situation.

"It's right here, and it's so close to us," the nursing sophomore said. "Because we have such a diverse atmosphere, we're trying to bring the light to something going on outside campus."

At the meeting, members of the caucus passed around a photo of the sign at Sparty's taken by a group of Akers residents who went to the club.

Carter said caucus members are meeting next week to discuss a plan of action.

Boggues said she is still upset with the club, and refuses to return.

"They're blatantly being racist," she said. "And if no one can do anything about that, then we need to question our government."