A professor at the University of Akron vowed to artificially boost female students’ grades in order to “encourage female students to go to information sciences.”
Professor Liping Liu, who teaches information systems analysis and design, sent an email to students letter them know of the gender-based grade boost:
“FYI, your grade has been sent to the university registrar. The following categories of students may see their grades raised one level or two: Female students (it is a national movement to encourage female students to go to information sciences).”
He added, “Students who had earned scores in exams (especially final exams) demonstrating a higher performance than their calculated ones; Students who attended class but missed reporting attendance (as long as I can tell).”
Unfortunately for Liu—and the women in his class who might’ve wanted a higher grade—the University of Akron soon found out about his plot… and quickly shut it down
“While the professor’s stated intention of encouraging female students to go into the information sciences field may be laudable, his approach as described in his email was clearly unacceptable,” said Rex Ramsler, the school’s provost and executive vice, in a statement.
“The University of Akron follows both the law and its policies and does not discriminate on the basis of sex,” the statement added.
“The professor in question has been advised accordingly, and he has reaffirmed his commitment to adhering to these strict standards.”
