University of Oklahoma Instructor Fired Over Grading Controversy
The University of Oklahoma has fired an instructor who was accused of religious discrimination by a student over a failing grade on a psychology paper. The student, 20-year-old junior Samantha Fulnecky, had cited the Bible in her essay and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
The university’s investigation found that the graduate teaching assistant, Mel Curth, had been “arbitrary” in giving Fulnecky zero points on the assignment. The university declined to comment beyond its statement, which said that Curth had been removed from teaching. Through her attorney, Curth denied that she had “engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work” and is “considering all of her legal remedies.”
Academic Freedom Debate
The incident has sparked a debate over academic freedom on college campuses, with conservative groups and commentators highlighting Fulnecky’s argument that she was punished for expressing conservative Christian views. The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, with President Donald Trump pushing to end these initiatives and restrict how campuses discuss race, gender, and sexuality.
The University of Oklahoma believes strongly in both its faculty’s rights to teach with academic freedom and integrity and its students’ right to receive an education that is free from a lecturer’s impermissible evaluative standards. The university’s statement said, “We are committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think.” A law approved this year by Oklahoma’s Republican-dominated Legislature and signed by Governor Kevin Stitt prohibits state universities from using public funds to finance DEI programs or positions or mandating DEI training.
Assignment and Feedback
Fulnecky’s failing grade came in an assignment for a psychology class on lifespan development, where she was directed to write a 650-word response to an academic study that examined whether conformity with gender norms was associated with popularity or bullying among middle school students. Fulnecky wrote that she was frustrated by the premise of the assignment because she does not believe that there are more than two genders based on her understanding of the Bible.
Curth provided feedback on the essay, stating that it did “not answer the questions for the assignment,” contradicted itself, relied on “personal ideology” over evidence, and “is at times offensive.” However, Curth also noted that she was not deducting points because of Fulnecky’s beliefs. The university’s decision to fire Curth has sparked a debate over the balance between academic freedom and student rights.
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