Oklahoma University instructor suspended for grading student’s unscientific anti-trans psychology essay

The University of Oklahoma has placed a graduate teaching assistant on administrative leave after giving a student a zero on a psychology assignment that labeled transgender people as demonic and described gender roles as Biblically mandated. The incident has sparked a heated debate across the state.

The issue arose when junior student Samantha Fulnecky submitted a 650-word response for a course examining how societal expectations influence gender. Instead of using research and evidence, the essay argued that society is spreading falsehoods about gender, warned against relaxing traditional gender roles, and called transgender identities demonic, according to reports from Them.

Screenshots of the paper and instructor feedback were shared by the campus Turning Point USA chapter over Thanksgiving, gaining widespread attention on conservative media platforms.

Graduate teaching assistant Mel Curth, who assigned the zero, explained that the grade reflected academic standards rather than the students religious beliefs. Curth stated that the essay fails to address the assignment questions, contradicts itself, relies heavily on personal ideology instead of evidence, and contains offensive statements. Curth emphasized that referring to a marginalized group as demonic is inappropriate and encouraged the use of empirical sources over religious doctrine in academic work.

Another instructor, Megan Waldron, independently reviewed the assignment and concluded it also did not meet the courses academic requirements. Fulnecky subsequently filed a religious discrimination complaint with the university.

The university confirmed that it takes concerns regarding First Amendment and religious rights seriously and has initiated a full review following the complaint. OU stated that regular communication with the student has been maintained and that no academic penalty resulted from the contested grade. The graduate teaching assistant was placed on leave during the investigation to ensure fairness, and a full-time professor is now handling the course for the remainder of the semester. OU also clarified that the instructor will not suffer academic or financial repercussions during the review.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt publicly called on OUs Board of Regents to investigate, asserting that students should not be penalized for their religious beliefs. The situation has become a broader discussion about ideological influence, higher education governance, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. The Turning Point USA campus chapter claimed the leave was due to blatant discrimination and framed the grade as a consequence for quoting the Bible, citing the universitys statement as support. OU has not announced a timeline for the investigations conclusion.

Author: Maya Henderson