Dear Friends of FAIR,
We’re thrilled to share that FAIR’s OCR complaint against Colorado State University (CSU) has been featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, one of the most influential publications in American higher education. The article, entitled “I Don’t Feel Safe in This Classroom,” validates the concerns raised in FAIR’s September 30 complaint against CSU. Importantly, it brings national attention to FAIR’s work and represents a significant milestone in our mission to protect students from discriminatory teaching practices.
The Chronicle’s investigation examines how two CSU instructors used a “pedagogy of discomfort” to deliberately target white and male students by eliciting shame and emotional distress, practices they documented in an academic article published in the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. The Chronicle details how Dr. Quinn Hafen and Marie Villescas employed teaching methods that, according to their own published research, set “firm boundaries” against “white emotional comfort.” The instructors explicitly stated their goal of creating “tension” and “discomfort among people who hold privilege.”
As FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris told The Chronicle: “If we had flipped Black to white in this situation and imagined Black students being made deliberately uncomfortable, I think we all agree that would be unacceptable.”
Student course evaluations captured the impact of these abusive practices. As one student wrote: “I don’t feel safe in this classroom. The judgement and rejection come from the teachers’ reactions rather than students.” Incredibly, Hafen and Villescas cited the school’s formal grievance policy through which students expressed their concerns as evidence of white supremacy culture, dismissing them as “whitelash.” This systematic approach to viewing educational standards through a racial lens creates an environment where discriminatory teaching practices can, in fact, flourish under the guise of “anti-racism.”
Although Hafen’s and Villescas’ academic article was subsequently withdrawn, Villescas continues to teach at CSU, which is why FAIR’s complaint seeks institutional accountability to protect current and future CSU students. FAIR has requested the Department of Education to investigate the university’s practices, take appropriate disciplinary action, implement oversight mechanisms, and require training on Title VI and Title IX requirements.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reaches hundreds of thousands of faculty, administrators, and higher education leaders nationwide. Coverage of FAIR’s work in this important publication puts institutions on notice: deliberately targeting and shaming students based on their race or sex is ethically wrong and potentially violates federal civil rights law.
FAIR’s complaint was also featured this week in The College Fix. According to CSU Master of Social Work graduate Nathan Gallo, “FAIR’s OCR complaint is likely the tip of the iceberg in a helping profession overwhelmingly captured by these self-righteous ideas.”
FAIR is grateful to The Chronicle for investigating this important issue and to the CSU graduates who had the courage to speak up about their experiences. We will continue to monitor developments with our complaint and provide updates as it progresses through the OCR process.
This week’s coverage highlights the continued importance of FAIR’s work and its national impact. When students face discriminatory treatment in classrooms, they rely on organizations like FAIR to protect their rights and ensure fairness.
But we need your support to continue this vital mission.
As America approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, we’re seeking 250 champions who will stand with us to protect students from discriminatory teaching practices and defend fairness in education.
FAIR’s “250 for 250” campaign runs through December 4. We’re thrilled to celebrate our supporters with special thank-you gifts. Sign up here (or text FAIRFORALL to 707070 to donate) for a chance to win:
Signed copies of books from FAIR Advisor Nadine Strossen & FIRE CEO Greg Lukianoff (The War on Words), FAIR Advisor Jonathan Haidt (The Anxious Generation), and FAIR Executive Director Monica Harris (The Illusion of Division)
Exclusive XX-XY athletics merchandise
Special recognition for the first 250 donors as Founding Champions of FAIR’s 250 for 250 Campaign
BONUS: Donors of $50+ will receive an exclusive a 20% discount code for XX-XY merchandise
Join us this giving season and help FAIR ensure that all students are treated with dignity, humanity, and respect.
Become one of our 250 Champions today!
With gratitude,
Monica Harris
Executive Director
15 DAYS: The Real Story of America’s Pandemic School Closures
Join Restore Childhood Monday, November 10th from 5:30pm to 10:30pm CST for the Austin premiere of “15 DAYS”—a powerful documentary produced by FAIR advisor Eli Steele examining the unprecedented pandemic school closures and their lasting impact on students and families.
Generously hosted by Emily and Roy Burns, the evening features a film screening followed by an intimate panel discussion with the filmmakers.
Star-Manning Democracy: How Americans Find Common Ground on Hard Issues
Join us Thursday, November 13th at 7pm ET to explore how empathy, active listening, seeking shared values in dialogues can help us overcome polarization. Our panelists will share practical approaches to “star-manning”—engaging with others by understanding their strongest, most human arguments—and demonstrate how this mindset can transform public conversations on even the toughest issues.
Special Screening: “15 DAYS, The Real Story of America’s Pandemic School Closures”
Please join the Manhattan Institute and Restore Childhood on Monday, November 17th at 6pm EST for a special New York screening of “15 DAYS,” a powerful new documentary produced by FAIR advisor Eli Steele that examines the devastating truth behind America’s pandemic school closures. Through intimate portraits of families, courageous educators, and leading scientists, “15 DAYS” chronicles the untold story of how America’s children were abandoned by the institutions meant to protect them.
Supporting Teachers Under Pressure: Leadership in Polarized Times
Join FAIR on November 17th at 7pm EST for our Supporting Teachers Under Pressure webinar! This will be the first in a series of presentations intended to highlight the educational environment that has necessitated and inspired FAIR’s curriculum. Specifically, our panelists will speak to the challenges teachers face and administrative strategies for supporting balanced education in a politically charged educational landscape.
FAIR Educator Alliance 2025-2026
FAIR is launching the Educators Alliance for the 2025–2026 school year to equip PK–12 educators with the knowledge, strategies, and community support they need to foster schools that are more enriching and free from bias for students and educators.
Each monthly gathering will open with updates and presentations from FAIR staff, fellows, Chapter Leaders, and occasional guest speakers. Together, we’ll explore strategies for supporting educators, communities, and local chapters—and for advancing positive change at the local, regional, and national levels. Following presentations, participants will have space for open forum discussions to connect, seek advice, and coordinate on pressing issues in their schools. Breakout rooms will be divided into PK-6 and 7-12 grade levels with experienced teachers facilitating those conversations.
Meetings: First Thursday of each month at 7 PM ET via Zoom
Duration: 1 hour
FAIR News Podcast
For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.
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If we use “Black,” we should also use “White,” not “white.” Small but significant difference.
Bless you all for your work. You have no idea. Brings tears.