Student wants apology after he says professor referred to COVID-19 as 'Chinese virus'
CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A University of Cincinnati engineering student wants an apology from his professor over what he calls a “racist” and “xenophobic” email.
A tweet from Evan Sotzing is getting a lot of attention on social media.
It shows his professor’s response to him explaining why he’d be missing class. Sotzing’s girlfriend tested positive for COVID-19, so UC Health told him to quarantine.
When he emailed his professor, John Ucker, to explain this, Ucker replied “For students testing positive for the chinese (sic) virus, I will give no grade.”
"My reaction? I was shocked at first that anyone in power or a professor, would say that because of how xenophobic it is and how racist of a comment it is, especially to a student," said Sotzing.
Sotzing immediately contacted the dean of the College of Engineering. Dean John Weidner told WKRC he’s looking into the matter.
Sotzing says the university can deal with this issue as it sees fit, but he does want an apology from Ucker. The professor didn't respond to a request for an interview.
