It was at her direction that Stanford University gained an early focus on the arts. She also advocated the admission of women; the university had been co-educational since its founding. She figured prominently in the issue of academic freedom when she sought and ultimately succeeded in having Stanford University economist Edward A. Ross fired. Ross had made speeches favoring the Democrat William Jennings Bryan, had collectivist economic teachings, and favored racism against Chinese American "coolies," and outlined eugenics policies directed against Chinese people and other racial groups. Jane had no issues with Leland's treatment of Chinese-Americans during the construction of the transcontinental railroad.