Shawn Brown, a University of Michigan sophomore, made the mistake of using the wrong hypothetical scenario to illustrate a point about the difficulties of getting reliable polling data: "Let's say Dave Stud is entertaining three beautiful ladies in his penthouse when the phone rings. A pollster on the other end wants to know if we should eliminate the capital gains tax. Now Dave is a knowledgeable businessperson who cares a lot about this issue. But since Dave is 'tied up' at the moment, he tells the pollster to 'bother' someone else."

His instructor, teacher's assistant Debbie Meizlish, replied in her written comments: "This is ludicrous & inappropriate & OFFENSIVE... It completely violates the standard of non-sexist writing... Professor Rosenstone has encouraged me to interpret this comment as an example of sexual harassment and to take the appropriate formal steps. I have chosen not to do so in this instance. However, any future comments, in a paper, in a class or in any dealings [with me] will be interpreted as sexual harassment and formal steps will be taken... You are forewarned!"

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