Academics

TCU Professor Calls Study Session for 'Students of Color Only'

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A Texas Christian University (TCU) professor sent an email to "students of color" in his class for a study session before classes officially began, but it did not turn out the way he planned, Inside Higher Ed reported.

One recipient of the email, who wished not to be named, said Santiago Piñón, associate professor of religion, addressed her and eight other students for an early study session to help them get ahead in the class.

Inside Higher Ed obtained a copy of the email, dated Sept. 11, 2013, and it reads:

"At the beginning of the semester I usually like to invite all my students of color to get together and discuss the challenges they may face during the semester. However, the time slipped by and I didn't get a chance. So, I would like to ask if you are interested in a get together on Monday afternoon? We can also discuss the exam that is coming up, if you want. I don't mind if this would turn out to be a study session for my STUDENTS OF COLOR ONLY [emphasis is his]."

Although anonymous, the student said she is one-quarter Hispanic, has a Hispanic last name, but does not strongly identify with her heritage.

"I thought, 'Is this really happening?'" the student said. "I laughed, in shock, as my immediate reaction."

She wondered how the "Understanding Religion: Society and Culture" professor rounded up that group other than by picking out the Hispanic last names from the list of students in the class. She said she doubted the students with non-Hispanic sounding names received a similar email.

She said she had previously taken a class with Piñón and, for one specific class, she learned about Mexican activist César Chávez.

"I was reading about how he was segregated because he was a Mexican, and that's what [the professor's] doing to the rest of us, in a way," the student said. "I mean, it's special attention and favoring them."

To find out what people would think of the special attention she posted the email to Facebook. Even though Piñón included her in the email, she noted that being 75 percent white made the email discriminatory against her.

Someone from the same class responded to the post saying: "I did not get an email like that!!!!"

Freshman Daniel Castañeda said he did not find it offensive, despite his Hispanic heritage. He thought it was a nice gesture, given TCU's relatively small Hispanic population.

"I think it was written with all good intentions, not meaning to segregate or leave anyone out," Castañeda said. He did not believe the professor wanted only Hispanic students at the get together, despite the message's deliberate emphasis.

Another anonymous student brought email to the school administration's attention. After that, Piñón addressed his class in a second email saying "anyone" who wants extra help with the exam can contact him by email or in person during office hours. In a third email, he said he had to cancel the study session because of another appointment.

In a statement to Inside Higher Ed, he said the initial email was "misunderstood" and the study session was, in fact, open to all students.

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