According to California Family Council, the problem is the state's harassment prevention laws. Students are required complete an online sexual harassment and anti-discrimination test they must pass with a perfect score. If a student does not pass the training, they are blocked from registering for classes for the next semester.
The test is conducted by a program called the Sexual Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, Prevention, and Education, otherwise known as SHAPE. However, this system requires the use of a broad definition of harassment. A student, for example, can be accused of harassment if he chooses not to adhere to transgender pronouns or men in women’s restrooms.
The University of California is required to do this under harassment law AB 2608, which requires students to have this training. Other universities don’t have to use the SHAPE program, but they are to use something similar that aligns with the same definitions. For instance, the broad term “hostile environment” is included in the definition of harassment, meaning people can claim this for meager disagreements.
Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, says that this is unconstitutional.
"It's government compelled speech, but it seems as though universities are doing it anyway. It's all part of this new requirement that all incoming students must take sexual harassment training," explains Burt.
He says that students must get a perfect score no matter how many times they have to take the test.
"To be considered compliant, students must earn 100% on the quiz at the end of the course. Students may attempt the quiz as many times as needed to ensure they understand the material,” informs Burt. “But note that failure to complete this training by October 24th, 2025, will result in a placing a hold on your spring quarter registration."
Burt says colleges and universities that were once considered centers of debate and critical thinking now are conditioning students to affirm a politicized definition of truth.
