An incident at the University of Oklahoma has led to an instructor being placed on leave after a student’s paper, which referenced the Bible to argue against “multiple genders” as “demonic,” received a failing grade. This decision was prompted by a student’s complaint.
Samantha Fulnecky, 20, has brought the situation to the university’s attention. Her complaint highlights the ongoing debate surrounding academic freedom, especially against the backdrop of former President Donald Trump’s efforts to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as well as the manner in which campuses engage with topics like race, gender, and sexuality.
In an emailed statement on Wednesday, the university emphasized its dedication to fairness and respect, asserting its commitment to safeguarding the rights of students to express their religious beliefs.
The university clarified that the failing grade, which was intended to make up 3% of Fulnecky’s overall grade, would not influence her academic status as a junior. The investigation into her claims of discrimination is still active.
The paper in question was part of a psychology course focused on lifespan development. Students were tasked with crafting a 650-word response to a study that explored the relationship between adherence to gender norms and its effects on popularity or bullying among middle schoolers.
Fulnecky expressed her frustration with the study’s premise, noting her disbelief in more than two genders based on her biblical interpretation, according to her essay shared with The Oklahoman.
“Society pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth,” she wrote.
She argued that promoting the belief in multiple genders would lead society to move “farther from God’s original plan for humans.”
The essays were graded out of 25 points, broken down by whether the student demonstrated an understanding of the article and addressed a specific aspect of the argument put forth. Fulnecky received zero points for her work.
“Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs,” the instructor wrote in feedback obtained by The Oklahoman. Instead, the instructor said the paper did “not answer the questions for the assignment.”
The paper “contradicts itself, heavily uses personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and is at times offensive” the criticism went on.
A contact for the instructor, whose name has not been confirmed by the university, was not immediately available.
Fulnecky’s complaint to the administration soon went viral after the school’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September, posted about Fulnecky’s experience on the social media site X.
“Professors like this are the very reason conservatives can’t voice their beliefs in the classroom,” the group posted.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appeared to affirm that perspective, posting on X that the situation was “deeply concerning.”
“I’m calling on the OU regents to review the results of the investigation & ensure other students aren’t unfairly penalized for their beliefs,” he wrote.
The firestorm comes after a professor at Texas A&M was fired earlier this year after a video where a student confronted the instructor over her teaching of issues related to gender identity in a class on children’s literature went viral. A university committee in late November ruled that the firing was without good cause, and flouted formal procedure.
Since Trump took office, student affinity groups have shuttered campus offices and professors have altered curriculums. The president has also threatened federal funding for schools who don’t comply with standards for teaching, admissions and gender in sports supported by the administration. Both supporters and opponents of the Trump administration’s campaign say that freedom of speech is at stake.
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