transitive verb. To deprive of human qualities such as individuality, compassion, or civility.

transitive verb. To render mechanical and routine.

To deprive of distinctively human qualities: as, dehumanizing influences; dehumanized speculation. Also spelled dehumanise.

transitive verb. To divest of human qualities, such as pity, tenderness, etc..

verb. To take away humanity, to remove or deny human qualities, characteristics, or attributes.

verb. deprive of human qualities

verb. make mechanical or routine

"Does the writer really mean to suggest — nay, insist — that universities, regardless of their affiliation, "dehumanize" their employees by expecting a "certain" level of conduct?"

degrade  demean  disgrace  mechanise  mechanize  

dehumanized  dehumanizes  dehumanizing