Commentary

Twelve Universities Are Violating Civil Rights Laws By Partnering With The Perry Initiative

  • By Do No Harm Staff
  • March 1, 2023
  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Duke University, New York University, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, Oregon Health and Science University, University of Arizona College of Medicine, University of Iowa, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, Wake Forest University, Yale University

A federal civil rights complaint has been filed against twelve schools and universities that partner with an organization that openly discriminates on the basis of sex.

The Perry Initiative programs are for young women in high school who are interested in careers in orthopedic surgery, engineering, or both (The Perry Outreach Program), and for women in medical school (the Medical Student Outreach Program). Applicants for either program “must gender-identify as female or non-binary.” This requirement violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits such discrimination for recipients of Federal financial assistance.

Schools participating in The Perry Initiative that are named in the complaint are:

  1. Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics
  2. Yale University
  3. Wake Forest University
  4. New York University
  5. University of New Mexico
  6. University of Pittsburgh
  7. Duke University
  8. Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  9. University of Arizona
  10. University of Iowa
  11. Oregon Health and Science University
  12. University of Virginia

These 12 schools and universities are active partners with The Perry Initiative and hosts of the outreach programs, which are offered exclusively for females in violation of Title IX.

The complaint, filed by Do No Harm senior fellow Mark Perry, asks the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to investigate each school for “using their resources to advertise, promote, host, and partner” with The Perry Initiative. Program flyers for the discriminatory events at each school clearly demonstrate that the programs are limited to applicants who meet specific sex and gender identity criteria. Also, the flyers prominently display the partner schools that host Perry Initiative events on their campuses.

Figure 1. Perry Initiative Medical Student Outreach Program promotional flyer from Duke University (Durham, NC).

Along with some major orthopedic equipment companies and academic medical centers, the Duke University School of Medicine’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery is listed as a corporate sponsor of The Perry Initiative.

Is your medical, nursing, or health professions school promoting or hosting a discriminatory program? Do No Harm wants to hear from you, and you may remain anonymous if you wish.