Students at the University of Southern Maine stormed out on September 14th, demanding that their lecturer, Christy Hammer, be replaced for making the remark.
Following the encounter, one non-binary student, Elizabeth Leibiger, stated she felt “personally attacked.”
The debate has sparked calls for Hammer’s resignation. It all started on September 7, when the instructor allegedly stated that there are only two biological sexes at a ‘Creating a Positive Learning Environment’ lecture.
The course is compulsory for university students pursuing a graduate-level Extended Teacher Education Program.
The topic was then brought up again on September 14 with Leibiger, who was absent for the early class.
According to the student, she inquired about the number of sexes. ‘Two’ was the reply. The student felt personally attacked.
She told her she didn’t think she was competent to impart a lesson about positive learning environments, Leibiger said.
It’s the epitome of irony.
Pupils walked out of class and began writing a letter to the Department of Education and Human Development asking a meeting with Hammer.
She is sticking to her prior remark.
The students have subsequently asked that Hammer be replaced by the institution.
While the university investigates the occurrence, the following adjustments have been made to the class- They have devised an alternate plan for this class and will establish a new section of this course for students who choose to transfer.
According to a spokeswoman, the initial segment taught by professor Hammer will resume for any pupil who desires to stay in that class.
A petition in support of Hammer, however, has been established by Jennifer Gingrich.
According to the petition- A university that is unable to impart truths since students find them too difficult to comprehend is ineffective as an educational institution. They, the undersigned, request that USM President Jacqueline Edmondson, Interim Provost Adam Tuchinsky, and Chair of the Teacher Education Department Flynn Ross publicly support Professor Hammer and issue a statement stating that she will not be changed or forced to halt stating that gender in humans is binary.
There are presently over 2,000 signatures on the petition.
