Grad Student Rejects Group’s Final Assignment for Being Sexist: Unreasonable or Justified?

Picture this: you’re a grad student teaching a lower-level programming course during the summer session. For the final exam, you give your students the freedom to create their own projects. But what happens when an all-male group submits a project that’s blatantly sexist? This is the dilemma one grad student faced when a group turned in a program designed to help guys increase their chances of “getting laid.” Despite the program’s technical merits, the grad student refused to accept the assignment and demanded a resubmission. Let’s dive into the story and see if the grad student’s response was justified or not.

The Grad Student’s Dilemma

The Controversial Project

Technically Impressive, but…

A Reasonable Extension? ⏰

A Simple Solution Offered

Department Head’s Verdict

The Million-Dollar Question

Sexism in the Classroom: Unfair or Justified?

Our grad student protagonist found themselves in a tricky situation when an all-male group submitted a sexist final project. Despite the program’s technical merits, the grad student demanded a resubmission and even offered a generous extension. The Department Head backed the grad student’s decision, but the students remained angry and left negative reviews. So, was the grad student’s response justified or over the top? Let’s take a look at what people had to say about this controversial situation.

NTA. Standing up against sexism in academia is always justified.

Grad student rejects sexist assignment, calls out flaws in program. NTA.

NTA, but citing academic policies would strengthen your argument

Standing up against sexism in STEM. NTA, justified.

Rejecting sexist assignment and offering resubmission = NTA

Female software engineer supports rejecting sexist group assignment. NTA

Male CS major supports rejecting sexist projects to promote diversity

Grad student rejects sexist assignment, sparks debate on investment pitch.

Grad student criticized for rejecting final project as sexist.

Student rejects sexist assignment, gets support from commenters

Appropriate response to sexist final exam material.

Computer science major calls out app, suggests alternative. NTA.

NTA comment: Fair and generous professor helps students learn a lesson

Student criticized for rejecting sexist assignment, receives harsh comment.

NTA grad student stands up against sexism in final assignment.

Setting boundaries for group assignments can prevent sexism. ‍ ‍ ‍

Confused commenter seeks clarification on sexism in assignment criteria.

Teacher stands up against sexism in the classroom. NTA!

Grad student criticized for prioritizing personal beliefs over technical skills. YTA.

Standing up against sexism in academia. NTA.

Grad student called out for rejecting group’s ‘sexist’ final project.

Student’s comment receives praise for calling out sexism in academia.

Professor mildly calls out OP for not approving project ideas.

Confused commenter seeks explanation for alleged sexism in assignment.

Questioning the gender-swap defense of a potentially sexist assignment

Grad student receives gentle YTA for rejecting group’s assignment.

Applauding the commenter for standing up against sexism in academia.

Standing up to misogyny in STEM programs. NTA.

Former professor defends grad student’s rejection of sexist assignment.

User calls out YTA for not understanding sexism in app.

NTA calls out unprofessional and childish behavior in school assignment.

Student rejects sexist final project, commenter agrees with NTA verdict.

User defends app as not sexist, argues for sex-positivity and equality.

User calls out sexism in grad student’s final assignment.

Rejecting sexism in academia. NTA stands up for equality

Good advice for future assignments to avoid issues and help students

Fighting sexism in academia: NTA grad student takes a stand

Debate over NTA verdict for group’s possibly sexist final assignment.

Supportive comment encourages women to take STEM classes with good professor ‍

Grad student criticized for rejecting group’s assignment as sexist. YTA.

Challenging the curriculum vs. pushing personal beliefs: Overstepping boundaries?

Representation matters in STEM, and this woman is standing up

Reskinning project for credit is reasonable. NTA.

Standing up against sexism and rape culture is heroic. #NTA

Early lessons in ethical thinking can prevent future HR issues. #NTA

User receives backlash for dismissing sexist behavior as a joke

Fair and professional grad student stands up against toxic group.

Standing up against sexism in academia. Proposal assignment suggestion.

Educator suggests setting clear guidelines for acceptable themes in class.

Pushing for change: Grad student calls out sexist assignment. #NTA

Rejecting a sexist assignment is NTA. Good job standing up!

Creative suggestions for retooling the assignment.

Gender-reversal suggestion sparks debate on double standards. ‍

Good on you for standing up against toxic culture.

Grad student stands up against sexism in final project. NTA.

NTA suggests reporting inappropriate comments on ratemyprofessor website

Female STEM student rejects sexist app project, receives support.

Rejecting a sexist assignment: justified or unreasonable? YTA thinks unreasonable.

NTA comment dismisses importance of Rate My Professors ratings.

Suggests alternative approach to calling out sexism in final assignment.