The College Fix

On January 14th, 2011, a renowned UC Davis professor sparked outrage after an email sent on his behalf asked students to grade their pregnant classmate.

Professor Edward Feldman, chair of the Department of Medicine & Epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, is drawing criticism for this e-mail because it allegedly spotlighted the student, who was absent from class to give birth to her child.

The e-mail surfaced on On Becoming a Domestic and Laboratory Goddess, a blog that explores women and their place in scientific fields. It is reproduced below:

Dear Colleagues,

One of our classmates recently gave birth and will be out of class for an unknown period of time…Below are listed the options that Dr. Feldman has suggested. Please reserve comment on these options and provide us your opinion on them by voting when the time comes. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

a) automatic A final grade

b) automatic B final grade

c) automatic C final grade

d) graded the same as everyone else: best 6 quiz scores out of a possible 7 quiz scores (each quiz only given only once in class with no repeats)

e) just take a % of quiz scores (for example: your classmate takes 4 quizzes, averages 9/10 points = 90% = A)

f) give that student a single final exam at the end of the quarter (however this option is only available to this one student, all others are graded on the best 6 quiz scores and the % that results)

Please let us know if you have other thoughts on how to handle this situation and please keep your eye out for the upcoming vote.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Your Presidents

Despite impending backlash from the student body and administrative officials, Professor Feldman has stood by the e-mail.

“I have no comment on the email you received which was to be sent only to members of the UC Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, current 3rd year class,” Feldman stated.

In contrast, UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi expressed outrage over the e-mail.

“This alleged action, if found to be true, would present a serious deviation from the values and principles that guide our campus and our School of Veterinary Medicine, and I would be profoundly disappointed if the reported events did in fact transpire on this campus,” Katehi remarked.

“I take very seriously any allegations that a student’s welfare, dignity or academic rights have in any way been compromised. And as a woman, who has experienced firsthand the challenges of melding academic and family life and has experienced discrimination, I am especially sensitive to this issue,” she added.

It should be noted that 85 percent of the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is female.

Inside Higher Ed further details the Chancellor’s comparison of this incident to gender discrimination. 

“During a student’s pregnancy, the school customarily works with her to help catch up after being away for childbirth or to arrange for an extended leave after which she can resume her academic program. And for mothers of infants, the school provides a lactation room so that students can continue breastfeeding their babies,” Katehi said.

With many appalled by the e-mail, the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s conduct and Professor Feldman’s actions are expected to face immense scrutiny in the coming days.

Gabriella Hoffman is the Advertising Manager at The California Review. She studies at the University of California, San Diego,  and is a member of the Student Free Press Association.

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