[FactQuest]

But it is this teacher's right to deny anyone a letter of recommendation.

What if he denies letters to anyone who is black... is that ok? Is that within his rights?

[B. Rabbit]

In my eyes... yes.

Don't get all burnt up. I would be the first to call the hypothetical professor a racist jerk. But I don't believe that anybody can be "forced" to write a RECOMMENDATION for anybody else. How can that be enforced?

[js1138]

What if he denies letters to anyone who is black... is that ok? Is that within his rights?

An interesting point, but on what basis would someone be required to give a recommendation? Grades? Test scores?

If there is some objective standard by which a recommendation should be compelled, why isn't it the responsibility of the graduate school to accept the objective standard and disregard the subjective standard?