VIDEO-Should certain words get students a failing grade at Washington - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

PULLMAN, Wash. -

Too harsh or respect the rules? That's the question on Washington State University's campus after some professors included a section in their class syllabi prohibiting certain language in their classes with potential consequences of failing a class.  

On Monday, WSU released a statement addressing the syllabi issue and saying "open dialogue, vigorous debate, and free exchange of ideas are at the core of who the University is as a higher education institution." 

Fall classes began last Monday and with those classes for some students came strict rules about language they cannot use in class.  Some professors in the Department of Criticial Culture, Gender and Race Studies made it clear in their syllabi what language and terms students are not allowed to use, with a result potentially as dramatic as getting points docked or even failing a class.

"That's kind of harsh, but you live with it," says WSU senior, Anthony Lui.  "There are rules in this world, you kind of have to follow them." 

In one class the terms "illegal alien", "colored people" and "male" and "female" are cited in the syllabus as words that could gain a student an F.

"I think it's unfair.  A lot of students look at it as illegal immigrants," says Mikayla Taflinger, a WSU freshman.  "That's how we see it in our newsfeed, all over CNN and Fox News that's what they call them. Illegal immigrants."

WSU's Interim President Daniel Bernardo released a statement responding to the issue. 

"Over the weekend, we became aware that some faculty members, in the interest of fostering a constructive climate for discussion, included language in class syllabi that has been interpreted as abridging students' free speech rights.  We are working with these faculty members to clarify, and in some cases modify, course policies to ensure that students' free speech rights are recognized and protected." 

The statement went on to say "no student will have points docked merely as a result of using terms that may be deemed offensive to some."

 None of the professors who syllabi contained these rules were available for comment.  

http://www.khq.com/story/29927707/should-certain-words-get-students-a-failing-grade-at-washington-state-university