UC professor polled students about pregnant classmate’s grade

A University of California veterinary professor apparently asked his class what grade they thought their pregnant classmate should receive in an email sent out by the class presidents.

Edward Feldman, chair of the Department of Medicine & Epidemiology at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, declined to comment to an academic writer who blogs under the name "Isis" who picked up on the story. But the school's chancellor told Inside Higher Ed the alleged action is "a serious deviation from the values and principles that guide our campus" and is being investigated.

"One of our classmates recently gave birth and will be out of class for an unknown period of time. This means she will undoubtedly miss one, or more, or all quizzes in VMD 444," the email sent to the entire class said. "Dr. Feldman is not sure how to handle this and has requested the class give input and vote."

The email asked the class whether the student should receive an automatic A, B, or C grade. Another option was that she could take a special final exam or be "graded the same as everyone else: best 6 quiz scores out of a possible 7 quiz scores."

"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," Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi told Inside Higher Ed. "I would be profoundly disappointed if the reported events did in fact transpire on this campus."

About 85 percent of UC Davis veterinary students are women. (Hat tip: Gawker.)

(Stock photo: Getty.)