Homophobia and Sexism in STEM: The Death of Denice Denton

How the institution fails

Content warning. This post focuses on the death by suicide of electrical engineer Dr. Denice Denton (1959-2006). She was the first openly gay person appointed as a chancellor in the University of California system, leading UC Santa Cruz. Below there are references of homophobic attacks, disturbing details of assault, and pet endangerment.

Dr. Denton was a feminist scientist. She earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering from MIT and was one of the first women to lead an American engineering college when she became Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Washington. A champion of progressive causes, she openly challenged Harvard President Larry Summer’s negative comments about the supposed intellectual differences between men and women resulting in STEM inequity.

She was a beloved female mentor, and sought to fight sexism, racism, and homophobia in academia, often translating her remarks into Spanish. At 45 years old, she became chancellor of UC Santa Cruz, an emerging technological powerhouse among national universities. She was unusually well-connected and seemed like the perfect fit to address low female representation in faculty and administration when appointed chancellor of UC Santa Cruz.

Denton was also openly gay and had been in a long-term relationship with her partner Gretchen Kalonji, a professor in materials science. M.R.C. Greenwood, the former provost of the University of California system, later revealed that she requested media and communication support to help the inexperienced Denton navigate public scrutiny regarding her sexual orientation. Her requests were overruled. On December 14, 2004, a press statement was released that Denton would be accompanied by her partner Gretchen Kalonji.

It would be over a decade until gay marriage was legalized throughout the entire United States and homophobic sentiment was rampant. Almost immediately after the press release, Denton faced an onslaught of negative press which would plague her for the duration of her chancellorship. Most salacious was the San Francisco Chronicle Article “UC hires partner Chancellor: Creates $192,000 post for Santa Cruz Chief’s lesbian lover” (Schevitz 2005). The UC system, already under criticism for increasing management expenses and student fees, issued no response. As a result, Denton’s sexuality became a public issue. The UC system merely defended her qualifications as a distinguished engineer and academic.

Chancellorship Under Fire

Meanwhile, Denton walked into a situation where town-gown relations between UC Santa Cruz and the City of Santa Cruz were rapidly deteriorating. UCSC had rapidly expanded in the past two decades, and housing prices, traffic, and wages were inflaming tensions. The local community and city officials strongly opposed the university’s growth, arguing that the influx of thousands of students would severely strain the city’s fragile infrastructure. The UC system was also facing financial difficulties due to decreased state and federal funding and rising education costs Student groups were also protesting over increased fees and the low wages of service workers. On the day she assumed her post as chancellor, the Student and Worker Coalition for Justice demonstrated outside her office.

She became a target for conservative bloggers, regarding her sexual orientation, criticism of Larry Summers, and the partner hire. Furthermore, the faculty Senate also criticized Denton’s professional manner as too-laid back and folksy. Kalonji later reported that the attacks “hurt her very deeply.”

Compensation “Scandal”

In the Fall of 2005, a compensation “scandal” descended on the UC system. In the Fall 2005, a public records request resulted in the turnover of employee pay records. The compensation packages for Kalonji, Denton, Greenwood and another Lynda Groff were under scrutiny (Schevitz and Wallack 2006). Lynda-Groff had been promoted by Greenwood to a job working directly for her and were often seen together in public; it was falsely insinuated that they were lovers. Todd Wallack, a reporter at the Chronicle tenaciously delved into their relationship and unearthed a shared rental property agreement resulting in a nepotism charge.

Greenwood was forced to resign but was eventually cleared of the nepotism charge and always claimed that the rental property had been an accidental oversight on her part. The story was sensational, and many academics and businesspeople defended Greenwood, saying that her resignation wasn’t warranted and that the scandal was sexist (Kapp 2007).

However, Don Miller, who was a member of the Sentinel’s editorial board, wrote that Greenwood’s downfall “adds fuel to the whisper campaign that what is seen by some as a powerful coterie of lesbians has gained power and influence within the UC system” (Kapp 2007, p 148). Faculty and concerned condemned the Sentinel article (Nūz 2005) but UC issued no response.

After Greenwood’s resignation, attention then again turned towards Denton. Between November 2005 and July 2006, a series of Chronicle articles highlighted Denton’s severance plan, her home renovations, and Kalonji’s hire, particularly focusing on a controversial dog run which had cost about $30,000, originally budgeted at $7,000. UC stated that Denton had been unaware of the increased dog run cost and the area’s natural predators and topography had required changes in the dog run, though this was never printed (Kapp 2007). UC did not dispute the charge that it was not above board in its compensation practices. Later, the Chronicle published a quiet piece which fully accounted for the expenditures which were for legitimate salaries and contracts (Wallack, Schevitz, & Schevitz 2006). Denton’s salary was $304,714 making her the lowest paid chancellor in the system (Fain 2007).

Groups of people attempted to camp out on Denton’s property, which required her to “negotiate intensely” before they left (Fain 2006a, para. 4). On June 10, 2005, her guest bedroom window was smashed by a wood-and-metal parking barricade which resulted in the university providing security. On June 6, 2006, Denton was surrounded by about 60 student protestors forcing her to watch a skit about racism, and when she tried to drive away, they sat on her car (Kapp 2007).

Denton became increasingly isolated, spending long periods of time alone in her office and not interacting with colleagues. Friends also reported her relationship with Kalonji as strained due to Kalonji’s frequent travel (Kapp 2007; p 150). Friends also noted that Denton was concerned for her and her pet’s safety (Kapp 2007; pp. 150-151). Denton reportedly declined offers of help from UC President Robert Dynes, citing that she didn’t know who she could trust (Kapp 2007, pp 150-151). However, Denton was reluctant to quit, since she felt that she was representing women, engineers, and gay constituencies (Kapp 2007; p. 51).

Yet, as 2006 progressed, Denton started to cancel engagements, or didn’t go into work, and her behavior so alarmed her friends that they asked if she was having suicidal thoughts. Denton took a medical leave and checked into a psychiatric hospital on June 18 (Kapp 2007 p. 152) but was expected to return to work by the end of June. When Denton was released, she was with her mother, who reported her as experiencing paranoia. On the pretense of retrieving some personal items, Denton went to Kalonji’s apartment complex (Kalonji was out of town) and jumped off the roof of the building to her death (Fain 2007). Kalonji was so shocked upon hearing of this that she passed out.

Aftermath

A memorial service for Denton was held on June 29 2006, on the Santa Cruz campus. Activist Angela Davis mentioned the “swirling controversies” and “unrelenting homophobic attacks” Denton endured (Kapp 2007, p. 153). Notably, the Chronicle did not cover the event though it received major press coverage from outlets like The New York Times. Kalonji was shocked by Denton’s death and believes that Denton’s medical problems as well as homophobia were key factors in her death. Denton’s friends blamed the unrelenting negative articles from the Chronicle (Kapp 2007). Others attributed her death to a thyroid condition and mental health problems. Many headlines emphasized her recent stay a psychiatric hospital.

Poor mental health and her struggles with the administrative role was emphasized in publicity notices surrounding her death (Osstrom 2006; Rogers, McPherson, and Griffy 2006). Though a few activists at the time spoke up about the role that homophobia played in her death, it was clearly an important factor which was downplayed by the press and administration. The campus newspaper City on a Hill Press put out a rather defensive piece asserting that Denton’s death was not caused by criticism (CHP 2006).

Denton’s death appeared to have effected no immediate changes in the UC system. Though Dynes expressed remorse about Denton’s death, and some called for his resignation, he remained President until June 2008 (Fain 2006b), resigning in late 2007 but with the intention to remain a physics professor in the UC system (Burress 2007; Jones 2007; U. of California’s President, Robert Dynes, to Resign After Tumultuous 5 Years 2007). Greenwood remarked to Kapp that “It’s that three white men are left standing” after both her and Denton’s downfalls in the UC system (Kapp 2007, p. 155).

George Blumenthal, a white astrophysicist and an internal hire, was appointed Chancellor of UC Santa Cruz and stayed in the position for ten years where he was praised for his work (Board 2018; Ibarra 2019). He seemed to have received a warmer welcome than Denton from students on campus and the press (Press 2007). His base salary was $310,000 which was heralded by the Sentinel as the “lowest-paid” in the UC system (Satayanarayana 2010).

Though expressing condolences for Denton’s death, student activists defended their actions and their right to protest. Sonnenfeld a student activist, provided a defense for student and media actions. In a Santa Cruz IMC an online forum, he conceded that while some attacks were “sexist and homophobic” but that

“In accepting the huge salaries and perks, Denton and Kalonji, possibly unintentionally, sent a message to the UC community: we’re with the corrupt class of administrators lining our pockets on the backs of students, workers, and every Californian” (Sonnenfeld 2006 (para. 4).

“Denton was beginning to understand our concerns, and had started to frequently advocate for our efforts, but with her tragic passing, our attempts of progress within the University have been significantly set back.” (Sonnenfeld 2006, para. 9).

A former undergraduate classmate of Denton, Stephen J. LeBlanc, wrote to City on a Hill Press, criticizing the coverage of her finances:

yet again, perpetuates the false idea that that Chancellor Denton was responsible for making these financial decisions. In fact, these decisions were made before Chancellor Denton was hired and were part of her recruitment package. Out of respect for her memory, it is much to ask the media to get it right (LeBlanc 2007; para. 7).

Kalonji entered a legal battle with Denton’s family, asserting her rights to Denton’s estate due to their 10-year partnership. Denton’s obituary never mentioned Kalonji.

Conclusion

The lack of support can be debilitating. I first heard of Denton reading the third volume of Rossiter’s Women in Science Trilogy where she was briefly mentioned. I had to do more research and found it disturbing. Denton was indeed “superstar”. The institution failed to protect her, and she faced sexist and homophobic attacks culminating into an immense tragedy. It has been 20 years since her passing and sexist and homophobic attacks are still deeply embedded in engineering and academic spaces.

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References

Board, Editorial. 2018. “Editorial: UCSC Has Been Well Served by George Blumenthal.” Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Burress, Charles. 2007. “UC President Robert Dynes to Resign / He Says ‘Direction of My Personal Life Has Changed.’” SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/UC-President-Robert-Dynes-to-resign-He-says-2547510.php

CHP. 2006. “The Role of Criticism in Denton’s Death.” City on a Hill Press. https://www.cityonahillpress.com/2006/09/28/the-role-of-criticism-in-dentons-death/

Fain, Paul. 2006a. “Chancellor’s Suicide Came After Months of Politicized Controversy and Angst Over Her Compensation.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/chancellors-suicide-came-after-months-of-politicized-controversy-and-angst-over-her-compensation

———. 2006b. “U. of California President Will Keep His Job.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/u-of-california-president-will-keep-his-job/

———. 2007. “Too Much, Too Fast.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/too-much-too-fast-14537/?cid=gen_sign_in

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Jaschik, Scott. 2006. “Suicide of a Chancellor.” Inside Higher Education. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/06/26/suicide-chancellor

Jones, Carolyn. 2007. “Dynes Quitting as Head of UC - Presided over Dynes Overcompensation Scandalcompensation Scandal.” SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Dynes-quitting-as-head-of-UC-presided-over-2510474.php

Kapp, Diana. 2007. “Reporter’s Notebook: The Scandal, the Scapegoats, and the Suicide.” San Francisco Magazine: 53–155. https://dianakapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2007_sfmagazine_the-scandal-scapegoats-suicide.pdf

LeBlanc, Stephen J. 2007. “Accurate Information on Chancellor Denice Denton.” City on a Hill Press. https://www.cityonahillpress.com/2007/04/12/accurate-information-on-chancellor-denice-denton/

Nūz. 2005. “A Problem of Hard-Wiring.” Metro Santa Cruz.

Osstrom, MARY ANNE. 2006. “Report: University Official Had Depression.” East Bay Times. https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2006/11/05/report-university-official-had-depression/

Press, City on a Hill. 2007. “CHP Supports Blumenthal for Chancellor.” City on a Hill Press. https://www.cityonahillpress.com/2007/03/15/chp-supports-blumenthal-for-chancellor/

Rogers, Paul, Kimra McPherson, and Leslie Griffy. 2006. “Peers Say Denton Struggled to Cope with Higher Profile.” Mercury News.

Satayanarayana, Megha. 2010. “UCSC’ s Blumenthal among Lowest-Paid UC System Chancellors.” Santa Cruz Sentinel.

Schevitz, Tanya. 2005. “SAN FRANCISCO / UC Hires Partner of Chancellor /Creates $192,000 Post for Santa Cruz Chief’s LesbianCreates Lesbianloverlover.” SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/SAN-FRANCISCO-UC-hires-partner-of-chancellor-2704138.php

Schevitz, Tanya, and Todd Wallack. 2006. “UC Chief Raked as New Pay Deals Are Revealed / Latest Audit Shows Scores More Were Made in Secret.” SFGate.

Sonnenfeld, Josh. 2006. “A Complex Tragedy: Denice Denton and UC Santa Cruz.” Santa Cruz IMC. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2006/07/02/18284785.php?show_comments=1#comments

“U. of California’s President, Robert Dynes, to Resign After Tumultuous 5 Years.” 2007. The Chronicle of Higher Education. https://www.chronicle.com/article/u-of-californias-president-robert-dynes-to-resign-after-tumultuous-5-years/?cid=gen_sign_in

Vega, Cecilia M., and Axon VanDerbeken. 2006. “UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Jumps to Her Death in S.F.” SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/UC-Santa-Cruz-chancellor-jumps-to-her-death-in-2517073.php

Wallack, Todd, Tanya Schevitz, and Todd Schevitz. 2006. “CALIFORNIA / UC Gives Details on the Hundreds of Millions in Extra Pay / Hospital Faculty Got More than Half of the $871 Million.” SFGate. https://www.sfgate.com/education/article/CALIFORNIA-UC-gives-details-on-the-hundreds-of-2523993.php

Williams, Terrie M. 2006. “UCSC’s Denton Carried Additional Burden on Her Shoulders.” Mercury News. https://web.archive.org/web/20060712175743/http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/14928207.htm