In a recent incident at the University of Cincinnati, a women’s gender studies professor is being ordered to undergo free speech training after failing a student for using the term “biological women.”
Melanie Nipper, an adjunct instructor, faced consequences when she marked student Olivia Krolczyk’s final project with a zero for employing what Nipper deemed an “exclusionary” term.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Nipper was formally reprimanded, and the university made it clear that any future violations of its policies could lead to further disciplinary actions, including termination.
The university’s stern stance was conveyed to Nipper through an official document dated June 14.
In addition to the reprimand, Nipper has been directed to complete training on the university’s free speech policy.
Furthermore, she must now submit her syllabi for the upcoming academic year for approval.
Nipper’s defense in response to the discipline was based on her belief that restricting “harmful speech” was necessary to create a safe learning environment and to teach introductory women’s gender and sexuality studies theory.
She argued that she felt compelled to educate her students about inclusive language to ensure an environment that fosters learning and respect.
The dispute arose when Krolczyk, a chemistry major, chose female athletes’ rights and the changes they have experienced throughout history as the subject for her final project.
She explored topics ranging from the first woman to participate in the Olympic Games to the ongoing efforts of athletes like Riley Gaines in advocating for changes to Title IX.
Krolczyk concluded her project by expressing concerns about how the inclusion of men in women’s sports may threaten the hard-fought rights and opportunities that female athletes have earned.
It was her use of the term “biological women” in her project proposal that Nipper found objectionable.
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Nipper communicated to Krolczyk that the term “biological women” was prohibited in her course, as it supposedly reinforced heteronormativity.
She requested Krolczyk to revise her topic to focus on women’s rights rather than using the term “females,” promising to reevaluate the grade after the revision.
Krolczyk’s frustration with the situation was evident in a TikTok video that went viral. “How am I supposed to do my project if I can’t use the term ‘biological women?'” she questioned, echoing the concerns of many students who find themselves navigating the far-left biases of modern academic environments.
The disciplinary action against Nipper was administered by Ashley Currier, the head of the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Cincinnati.
Nipper has since submitted a request to appeal the sanction, and she recently met with university officials to discuss her concerns.
While Nipper declined to comment directly on the incident, she acknowledged the impact of the ongoing culture war on educators’ ability to fulfill their roles effectively.
As controversies surrounding free speech and ideological conformity continue to emerge on college campuses nationwide, it is imperative to strike a balance between promoting inclusivity and preserving academic freedoms.
