The University of Oklahoma has decided to uphold the final grade of student Samantha Fulnecky, despite her receiving a zero on an essay concerning gender identity. This decision follows claims of religious discrimination stemming from the grading and has ignited discussions around First Amendment rights on college campuses. The university announced this week that the instructor involved, Mel Curth, has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted.
The controversy began when Fulnecky submitted a 650-word essay for a psychology course that analyzed an article on gender, peer relations, and mental health. In her essay, she expressed opposition to the concept of multiple genders, supporting her views with biblical references. Fulnecky stated, “Society pushing the lie that there are multiple genders… is demonic and severely harms American youth.” This perspective drew significant attention, especially after it was publicized by the university’s chapter of Turning Point USA, accumulating over 44 million views on social media.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has publicly called for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing First Amendment rights, particularly those related to religious freedoms. An official spokesperson for the University of Oklahoma remarked, “Upon receiving notice from the student on the grading of an assignment in the online class, the University immediately reached out to the student, began a full review of the situation, and acted swiftly to address the matter.”
In response to the assignment, Curth communicated to Fulnecky that while she was entitled to her beliefs, the essay did not adhere to academic standards. Curth contended that the failing grade was not a reflection of Fulnecky’s beliefs but rather stemmed from the paper’s failure to address the assignment questions adequately, reliance on personal ideology over empirical evidence, and instances of being offensive.
This incident is part of a broader trend in American higher education, where political and cultural issues surrounding gender identity have become increasingly contentious. The Trump administration and several Republican leaders have intensified efforts to reshape higher education, focusing on issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as antisemitism and gender identity.
On September 27, 2023, during a White House event entitled “Biased Professors, Woke Administrators, and the End of Free Inquiry on U.S. Campuses,” Linda McMahon, the U.S. Secretary of Education, joined university and political leaders to discuss perceived ideological biases in higher education. This dialogue reflects a growing concern among some factions regarding what they term “leftist ideological capture” in academic institutions.
Earlier this fall, another institution, Texas A&M University, faced backlash when a video surfaced showing a student confronting an instructor about allegedly teaching “gender ideology.” This incident led to the termination of one instructor and the removal of a dean and department head from their positions. Subsequently, Mark A. Welsh, the university’s president, was forced to resign shortly thereafter.
As the investigation into Fulnecky’s case unfolds, it highlights the ongoing debate over academic freedom and the intersection of education and personal beliefs, which continues to polarize opinions within the realm of higher education. The outcome of this situation may set precedents for how universities navigate similar conflicts in the future.
