The University of Cincinnati has now withdrawn its formal reprimand of a professor who failed a student for using the term ‘biological woman’.
The reprimand was issued less than one month ago on June 14 by Melanie Nipper, but has since been removed from her personnel file.
The formal caution was removed after Professor Nipper filed an appeal with the University which later decided that her reprimand had been ‘issued in error.’
But the 28-year-old is still required to undergo training on the university’s free speech policy and submit her course syllabus to the department head.
Nipper, an adjunct professor, took issue with student Olivia Krolczyk’s use of the term in an essay about the controversial subject.
The University of Cincinnati has reversed its reprimand of Professor Melanie Nipper, 28, who failed a student for using the term ‘biological woman’ in an assignment
The student whom she failed, Olivia Krolczyk, shared her disappointment with UC’s latest decision in a fresh TikTok video stating that how the educational establishment showed a disregard for students’ rights to free speech
When a student uses ‘outdated terminology,’ Nipper added of the zero mark (seen here with an accompanying explanation), she will always take that opportunity to correct those mistakes
Nipper told her ‘the terms ‘biological women’ are exclusionary and are not allowed in this course as they further reinforce heteronormativity.
‘Please reassess your topic and edit it to focus on women’s rights (not just ‘females’) and I’ll regrade.’
In contesting her reprimand Nipper had argued that failing the student did not violate UC’s free speech policy.
The student whom she failed, Krolczyk, shared her disappointment with UC’s latest decision and took to TikTok, stating that how the educational establishment showed a disregard for students’ rights to free speech and had failed to ensure professional conduct among its educators.
‘Professor Melanie Nipper and the University of Cincinnati have both proved themselves to be very disreputable and unprofessional at this point,’ Krolczyk began.
‘The decision by the school to rescind this reprimand on Professor Nipper for failing me for saying the word ‘biological’ to describe women just goes to show that the school sets rules and policies but you don’t actually have to follow them because there won’t be any consequences if you break the rules.’
Krolczyk stated that she had little sympathy for the professor who had outed herself and then complained how the episode had taken an ‘immense emotional toll’ on her
The University of Cincinnati has reversed its reprimand for a professor who failed a student for using the term ‘biological woman’
Krolczyk had revealed in an earlier TikTok last month how she received a zero on her project proposal from Nipper about transgender athletes in women’s sports for using the term ‘biological women.’
Nipper told her that the term was exclusionary and violated course guidelines.
‘Of course, Melanie Nipper is attempting to play the victim card in this situation which is not shocking to me in the slightest because she’s been pulling this card since the very beginning claiming that it was very hard and she cried when she saw my video even though I never said the name of the class, the school or her name,’ Krolczyk continued in her TikTok rant.
‘She is the one who revealed her identity and in doing so she should have been prepared for the consequences of that that. I have caused absolutely no harm and no threat to you by calling out the fact that you had very unjust and extreme actions,’ Krolczyk went on.
‘It is not white supremacy to call out the very true fact that a man will never be a woman and should not be competing in women’s sports because that would be actively taking away women’s rights and opportunities.
Krolczyk now has 14,000 Twitter followers and is using her social media accounts to campaign against trans women in sport and has also set up her own clothing line to drive her point
Olivia Krolczyk called out both the professor and the university for their actions in her latest TikTok
Krolczyk made a similar statement on Twitter to that in her TikTok video
‘It is extremely disappointing to see that there are women out there who are actually contributing to the erasure of themselves,’ Krolczyk concluded.
Krolczyk’s initial TikTok May video about the incident is what brought her national attention. The clip has since been viewed more than a million times.
While Krolczyk ultimately received a new grade and completed the class with an A, Nipper had initially been reprimanded for violating school policy.
This decision follows an ongoing debate surrounding free speech and inclusive language in academic settings.
Krolczyk now has 14,000 Twitter followers and is using her social media accounts to campaign against trans women in sport and take a stance on LGBTQ controversies.
She has also set up her own clothing line to drive her point further – TheBiologicalWoman.com.
In Nipper’s earlier reprimand, a university document states: ‘Please note that this is to be considered a formal reprimand for your actions.
‘A copy of this letter will be placed in your permanent records. It is also understood that any other violations of UC policy may be subject to further disciplinary actions up to and including termination.
‘You are reminded that as an unrepresented, unclassified ‘at will’ employee your employment may be terminated with or without cause.’
The letter also demanded that ‘you must complete training on the requirements of the Campus Free Speech Policy’ and that she ‘submit all syllabi’ for review and approval ‘at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes.’
Nipper defended her actions to the university.
She told them that ‘my restriction on harmful speech’ was ‘necessary to ensure a safe learning environment in the course discussions and for the pedagogical purpose of teaching introductory WGSS theory.’
She said she teaches from a ‘intersectional, 4th wave, and transnational feminist perspective,’ and argued that the student’s chosen topic for her project was ‘inappropriate as it targeted trans women as a source of oppression for cis women in sports.’
Nipper added: ‘I felt it was necessary to educate her regarding inclusive language to ensure a safe learning environment for other students in the course discussion boards.’
Nipper said her support of free speech ends when ‘you are, intentionally or unintentionally, participating in a systemic harm of some kind,’ – including statements she deems transphobic or racist.
She said her marking of Krolczyk’s paper was fair.
‘Not a zero for the course, a zero for an assignment,’ she explained.
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