Like what you see here? Economic data provided by Econoday. The university formally closed the investigation against Klein on July 22. Students will be notified of petition results via Message Center within 1-2 weeks. It's just principle.". But regardless of how many people demand his firing, UCLA cannot justify using that anger to erode Gordon's rights.". Earnings estimates data provided by Zacks. Student activists at universities and colleges around the nation have demanded lenient grading and postponed exams for black students in response to the social unrest that has followed the death of George Floyd. "Thanks for your suggestion in your email below that I give black students special treatment, given the tragedy in Minnesota," Klein responded according to the petition. Please copy and paste the embed code again. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories, Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting. UCLA engineering students want a professor replaced as chair of the computer science department for allegedly after using the phrase "Wuhan virus." Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent, Eugene Volokh |The Volokh Conspiracy | 9.16.2020 4:30 PM. Over 66,000 students signed a petition this week in defense of Klein. As the widely circulated screenshots suggest, Klein responded sarcastically and suggested that the request was antithetical to the principles of Martin Luther King Jr. "On top of his uncalled for sarcasm and mockery, I thought his email was disrespectful to all students and people who are currently fighting to end systemic racism in America. Although the school allows professors to offer alternative solutions for students on an individual basis, having a particular skin color isn’t an acceptable indicator that an individual has special needs. She added that UCLA's handling of the lecturer "will never be sufficient until he's fired" and that she believes the university's decision to place Klein on leave was only based on public outrage. Professor Gordon Klein was using a values-based approach in his leadership style, highlighting that he values equality for all, no matter their race, color, or origin just as MLK would have wanted to make a positive change that has a ‘no harm’ solution. Additionally, the email requested "shortened exams" and extended deadlines for final projects. The original petitioners were not fearless when it came to finding real solutions to the real problem, they were fearful and decided to silence the dissenting opinion. I mean, if every voluntary decision to resist arrest by any felon anywhere is going to throw them into a tizzy, probably better to go with the less emotional folks from Central America. There is also the protection of notoriety. “We apologize to the student who received [Gordon’s email] and to all those who have been as upset and offended by it as we are ourselves.”. On June 2, a student emailed Klein to suggest he adjust his final exam requirements for black students — including extending deadlines, shortening exams, and implementing a policy that would ensure an exam could only help, not harm, a student’s grade. GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE. A screenshot of Gordon Klein's email to a student revealed that the accounting lecturer viewed granting academic accommodations to black students as "special treatment" — and was antithetical to the values of Martin Luther King Jr. After screenshots of the email made waves on Twitter, one UCLA student started a petition to have Klein fired for his "woefully racist" response. Company fundamental data provided by Morningstar. Get fired now for certain or maybe get fired later if they are vindictive jerks. All rights reserved. Willhite added that she reported the email to the university along with several other instances of professors exhibiting racist behavior, but she decided to post the email on Twitter because online uproar and media coverage has proven to be a more successful avenue for change. Market Data provided by Interactive Data (Terms & Conditions). Mutual fund and ETF data provided by Lipper. Students identifying themselves as nonblack allies of their black classmates told Klein their request was “not a joint effort to get finals canceled for non-black students ... rather an ask that you exercise compassion and leniency with black students in our major," according to Inside Higher Ed.