UC San Diego Removes Women-Only STEM Program After Federal Complaint
UC San Diego Removes Information About Female-Only STEM Program
The University of California San Diego has taken down some details about its STEM program, which was exclusively available to female high school students, in response to a federal civil rights complaint. The page for the "STEM Girl Summer" program under the department of physical sciences now displays an "access denied" message. Nonetheless, information about the program can still be found in other locations, including a recent social media post.
Complaint Filed by Civil Rights Activist
Mark Perry, a civil rights activist, informed The College Fix that he suspects the university took down the information after he sent them a "courtesy copy" of his Title IX complaint. In his complaint, Perry argued that the university should either open the program to all students or establish a similar opportunity for male students. He wrote to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, stating that the press release clearly shows the University's intention to continue this "illegal girl-only program" in the future.
Perry's Letter to University Counsel and Chancellor
Perry shared a letter he had written to the university's counsel and chancellor. In the letter, he described the STEM Girl Summer program as "legally indefensible" and predicted it would not survive an impending investigation by the San Francisco Office for Civil Rights. He urged the university to conduct its own internal legal review of the discriminatory program while the Office for Civil Rights evaluates, investigates, and resolves his complaint. Perry expressed his confidence that if the program had been reviewed for legal compliance with federal civil rights laws before its implementation, it would not have been approved.
University's Response to the Complaint
Perry believes his letter likely prompted the changes. He pointed out that this is another instance where a new program that discriminates based on sex and/or race is created without realizing its illegality. He suggested that universities should have a process in place to review and legally clear new programs before they are launched. He also proposed that there should be an internal review or audit process where university lawyers regularly check all existing programs for compliance with Title VI/IX.
Details About the STEM Girl Summer Program
According to a university news release, the dean of the physical sciences department helped fund the program. Initially funded by the dean's office in the School of Physical Sciences, the program now receives support from several on-campus sources. The program was created by graduate student Robin Glefke and aims to bring female high school students from the San Diego area to the campus for a weekend of practical learning, introducing them to career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Perry's Affiliation with Do No Harm
Perry is also associated with Do No Harm, a group opposing DEI in medicine. The group recently filed its own federal civil rights complaint against Loyola University Chicago and its nursing program for "students of color." Some information about the program, including a YouTube video describing it, has been subsequently removed.
Bottom Line
The removal of the female-only STEM program at UC San Diego raises important questions about equal opportunities and the legality of such programs. It's clear that the debate about gender-specific programs and their implications for equality and discrimination is far from over. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends to hear their opinions. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6 pm.
