Cal Poly to set up Saudi men-only program

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- California Polytechnic University, known for its efforts to nurture female engineers, plans an engineering program in Saudi Arabia that will be men only.

The proposal to develop a program at Jubail University College has angered some students and faculty, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The student newspaper, the Mustang Daily, said in an editorial that the plan would "jeopardize the honesty and integrity of our institution in the name of money." The mechanical engineering faculty voted 15-3 last fall to protest the move.

"No matter how you cut it, we're supporting the oppression of women,"

said Jim LoCascio, who has taught mechanical engineering at the school for almost 30 years.

Jubail has women students, although they must take classes separately from men. The engineering program would be open only to men.

The Saudi government has offered the university $5.9 million annually for five years to set up classrooms and curriculum, and train teachers for the program.