A problem on a University of Wisconsin statistics exam revolved around the height of a border wall along the US-Mexico border meant to keep “kangaroos” out, prompting a bias incident reports from three Latino students, the Badger Herald reports.
The question reads, “The federal government plans to build a wall with height 6.5 feet along the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent kangaroos from jumping into the country. The project manager wants to know how high the kangaroos can jump. Ten kangaroos are randomly selected and each of them is tested for the jump heights … ”
Engineering students Esmerelda Tovar, Alan Meza and Cesar Andres Aguilar all filed bias incident reports following the exam, which was given on April 10, according to the campus newspaper. The professor has since apologized to the class, the paper reports.
US Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Patrick Sims said in an email to Madison365 the administration is “trying to get to the bottom of this and why.”
“Every student at UW-Madison deserves to feel respected and included,” said UW spokesperson Meredith McGlone. “When incidents occur, in this case in a classroom, our bias response system enables students to voice their concerns and brings together those involved for discussion about creating a more positive campus environment. The instructors have indicated their regret in using this question and have engaged directly with the students affected.”
