Is this sexual discrimination?

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: Toasthead
sayiong women cant do something isnt harassment. It is an observation or opinion.

Thats a niave way of interpreting the situation.

If the professors creates a hostile environment (e.g., telling women, but not men, that they can't suceed in his class; grading women more harshly than men) for a subgroup of students then he is probably violating many of the universities policies and a few laws to boot. Obviously we don't know how much truth is behind the OPs claims, but to think that the professor is free and clear regardless of the facts is ridiculous.


Assuming there is a factual basis for the claims, then the professor is the one that needs to grow up.

 

[Kibbo]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: CombatChuk

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
My fiancee is a graduating physics major from the Colorado School of Mines. Last year there was this Professor that harassed her, saying that "Women can't do nuclear physics". This guy was a tight ass, and was very serious about it. Other women physics majors have had the same problem. They went to the deptarment head, told them about the problem and nothing has been done. What's the next step? A class-action lawsuit? Something else?

Thanks...

seems like free speech to me, unless it can be proved he sabotaged the grades of his female students...

No women in his lab got a "A" they all got a "B"

And that proves...?

Viper GTS

"Women can't do nuclear physics"????

100 years ago the same rationale was used w/r/t medicine. Now, more women then men are graduating from med school.

The variance of abilities among individuals is much greater than any gender-based tendencies. Even if on average women aren't as good at something then men, applying that bias to any individual is a fallacy. So even if you could prove that on average women aren't as good at men at physics (which I doubt is an inherent, but for argument's sake), there could still be many women who would have the ability to do so.

The professer's comments were unfounded and sexist. They were inappropirate. But a lawsuit is rediculous in this case. Universities have appeals boards for a reason. If she didn't appeal her grade through the proper channels, she probably can't do anything about that now. But she could still write to the dean's office and give him the heads up that they have a troglodyte working for them.

 

[Nozirev]

Lawsuit - isn't remotely the answer. In fact it will probably make the situation worse.

Does she gets the grades she deserves. Its important to know if this professors bias enters the grading. You said no females got an A on the labs, but the better question is, should they have. You can sometimes check with other professors to see what they would have given for grades on a lab. If she got a B and deserved a B, there is no sexual discrimination when grading. The other questions would be if he extends past grading and to behavior, more than comments, treats you less, different treatment from male and female students. More than just comments, actions.

Also just because there hasn't been obvious changes (not sure what you would look for), doesn't mean that the Department Head isn't trying to remedy the situation. People take a while to change. The Department Head could be checking to see if its just more than your gf.

When I was in college, I had a girl accuse a Professor of a similar thing, (although he didn't make comments that girls cannot do engineering). Turns out there was none, the girl just had alot of problems in the class, and through the course of blaming everyone but herself, she was convinced he was discriminating against women. I'm not saying that this is your case, just saying why sometimes, it takes time for things to be checked out.

Also, if you want to go one step up. Talk to a dean or school administrator outside of the department. They are usually the best people to talk to when you want something done. I'd be very surprised if they didn't act.

 

[Nitemare]

Borderline sexism != sexual discrimination

The truth is women and mens minds are wired differently. Women are better at some things than men are and vice versa, physics is just not one of them. Case in point go to a college level physics class 200 or higher and tell me the ratio.

 

[stimpy1]

You've come to the forum with a problem concerning a sexist male professor. Unfortunately, you've been offered a lot of opinions by males with the same sort of mindset.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: stimpy1
You've come to the forum with a problem concerning a sexist male professor. Unfortunately, you've been offered a lot of opinions by males with the same sort of mindset.

Dr Phil?

 

[sao123]

Ask Alice?

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
I've seen professors of mathematic related fields make women cry.

I've seen Oprah make women cry.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk

Originally posted by: DAGTA
There isn't much you can do. The grades may be suspicious but you're not likely to get anywhere unless you have solid proof that the professor limited women to B's or less. It sucks to see this kind of attitude and discrimination. I saw it as a student and as a professor. The best things she can do at this point probably are 1) make her opinion known and 2) prove him wrong.

It think she's proven him wrong. She's already has a job with Lockheed Martin; doing orbital trajectory analysis. She's also the in the top 10% of her class. It's just seems fvcked up that they would do that. They're already under alot of stress as it is.

There goes the space program. I'm wearing a hard hat from now on.

 

[spidey07]

I don't see how this is discrimination in any way shape or form.

 

[StageLeft]

Who gives a crap?! If your wife is going to get all pissy over this, she's got bigger problems than nuclear physics. I realize she was offended, and should have been, because yes it is a sexist remark, but to consider a lawsuit or something over one old ornery physics prof's opinion of her? Did he fail her because she was a woman or something? Lots of people are pricks. Ignore him!

 

[91TTZ]

News for the pansies out there: The real world is a competitive place.

If you can't hack the pressure of competition, or if competition itself offends you, maybe you should choose a dumbed down non-competitive field. Don't expect others to sugar coat everything for you. If something offends you, that's a problem that only you can deal with. Complaining to others doesn't help your cause, and blaming others for your failure doesn't help any either.

I say people should stop crying and do their best. Eventually the cream of the crop will rise to the top. If you don't, then you're not trying hard enough, and you can't blame anyone else by yourself.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
It doesn't help his situation...

Unless you have specific, documented evidence that a student earned an A (per course grading standard) and was given a B you have absolutely nothing.

Viper GTS

Exactly.

Sorry, but...
[/end of thread]

 

[Brutuskend]

Kick him in the NADS!

 

[DougK62]

Someone call the WAAAAAAAAAHHHMBULANCE.

That's pathetic.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong
My Military History professor called one girl a "bulldog ***" in front of the whole class once. The same guy also called this patchouli-stinking hippie kid a "granola bar" (that one I actually enjoyed).

LMAO

 

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
My fiancee is a graduating physics major from the Colorado School of Mines. Last year there was this Professor that harassed her, saying that "Women can't do nuclear physics". This guy was a tight ass, and was very serious about it. Other women physics majors have had the same problem. They went to the deptarment head, told them about the problem and nothing has been done. What's the next step? A class-action lawsuit? Something else?

Thanks...

seems like free speech to me, unless it can be proved he sabotaged the grades of his female students...

Say that to the employee or CEO who loses his job next time for creating a hostile environment for his female co-worker by constantly demeaning her with abusive words about women. Perhaps you should read more about sexual harassment, lest you get slapped with a lawsuit for assuming that your free speech excuses harassing someone on the basis of the person's sex.

Universities always turn a blind eye each time students have legitimate complaints. It angers me, which is why I have no sympathy when they are sued. It appears that only a threat to sue gets them talking and considering your grievance.

If your fiancee could gather evidence of his views also stretching to the way he grades, it would make a solid case. However, she doesn't need to have that except if she's just trying to focus on sex discrimination. She should consider sexual harassment instead. If she could show that his behavior has been consistent and affected her ability to work in that environment (and yes, that includes her grades if she couldn't maximize her normal output), then she might have a case. In cases such as this one which involves complaints from other females, there's a reasonable probability that one woman out there would have experienced unwanted advances from this professor. I don't know the facts of this case, for just one case of a snide sexist comment alone doesn't constitute sexual harassment. You need to find out more from your fiancee.

 

[smc13]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
My fiancee is a graduating physics major from the Colorado School of Mines. Last year there was this Professor that harassed her, saying that "Women can't do nuclear physics". This guy was a tight ass, and was very serious about it. Other women physics majors have had the same problem. They went to the deptarment head, told them about the problem and nothing has been done. What's the next step? A class-action lawsuit? Something else?

Thanks...

seems like free speech to me, unless it can be proved he sabotaged the grades of his female students...

No women in his lab got a "A" they all got a "B"

Back in college I had a women studies professor who didn't give any of the guys an "A." That's life. a B isn't a bad grade.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
My fiancee is a graduating physics major from the Colorado School of Mines. Last year there was this Professor that harassed her, saying that "Women can't do nuclear physics". This guy was a tight ass, and was very serious about it. Other women physics majors have had the same problem. They went to the deptarment head, told them about the problem and nothing has been done. What's the next step? A class-action lawsuit? Something else?

Thanks...

That's his opinion. Did he fail her even though she completed the work satisfactorily? I fail to see how this is discrimination.

Tell her to get over it. There are stupid people in the world and you will have to deal with them. Let this be a lesson.

Class action suit...:roll:

 

[kaymin]

I'm sure there's a general consensus that women can't drive either. 99.9% of the driving teachers/evaluators know and think that, should they be sued?

 

[RaiderJ]

I don't think it's sexual discrimination. That's his POV, even if it isn't a politically correct one. Don't waste your time on him.