The University of Cincinnati has repealed its reprimand against a gender studies professor who gave a student a zero on her project proposal about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports because it included the phrase “biological women.”
The head of the university’s Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies issued the reprimand on June 14 against professor Melanie Nipper after she gave the student, Olivia Krolczyk, a failing grade.
Nipper told Krolczyk that “the terms ‘biological women’ are exclusionary and are not allowed in this course as they further reinforce heteronormativity. Please reassess your topic and edit it to focus on women’s rights (not just “females”) and I’ll regrade.”
Krolczyk shared her story on TikTok and questioned how she could do the project without using the term “biological women.”
Nipper’s formal reprimand, which was obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer, said she violated school policy by issuing the failing grade and directed her to complete training about the school’s free speech policy and to submit her syllabi for the coming school year to her department head.”
“Please note that this is to be considered a formal reprimand for your actions,” the document read. “A copy of this letter will be placed in your permanent records. It is also understood that any other violations of UC policy may be subject to further disciplinary actions up to and including termination. You are reminded that as an unrepresented, unclassified ‘at will’ employee your employment may be terminated with or without cause.”
Nipper then filed an appeal and met with school administrators, who determined the reprimand was “issued in error.”
Now the reprimand will be removed from Nipper’s personnel file, though she will still be required to complete training and submit her syllabus to her department head, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Krolczyk, who has since received a new grade for the project proposal and completed the class with an A, expressed disappointment with the school’s decision.
“UC is affirming that professors will have no consequences for failing students with dissenting opinions . . . they will not uphold a student’s rights to free speech and will take no action to ensure that the educators hired are acting in a professional manner,” Krolczyk told the Cincinnati Enquirer.