It is mandatory for graduating students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to view a two-hour webinar that contains references to critical race theory, according to the university’s spokesperson John Lucas.  

Republican Robin Vos sent a letter to the school’s chancellor ordering an explanation.  

Critical race theory is defined as an “academic and legal framework that denotes that systemic racism is part of American society — from education and housing to employment and healthcare.” 

The training course, called “Graduate and Professional Students Preventing and Responding to Sexual and Relationship Violence,” discusses how critical race theory and critical race feminism can “help students understand privilege better and ‘how a regime of white supremacy and its subordination of people of color have been created and maintained in America.’” 

“Students are not only required to take this course and pass with a 100% score in order to enroll in classes but they are also required to agree that whiteness means privilege,” Vos wrote. 

According to the university’s spokesperson John Lucas, the training makes a brief reference to critical race theory but the information included is supported by academic research, he said in a statement to WPR.  

“We will continue to review the webinar, as we do with all of our programs, and make any appropriate changes for Spring 2022,” Lucas said. “Graduate and professional students are encouraged to share any questions or concerns about the program or their participation with University Health Services Violence Prevention.”