An instructor at the University of Oklahoma has been placed on leave after a U-turn following a complaint over a student receiving a failing mark on a paper after citing the bible.
20-year-old student Samantha Fulnecky, who studies psychology, had her essay deemed “highly offensive” and worth no marks as she wrote that eradicating gender would be “detrimental” as it would push people away from the original plans of God.
Students were set an assignment to write 650 words in response to an academic study examining whether conformity with gender norms was associated with popularity or bullying among middle school students.
Referring to a copy of her essay provided to The Oklahoman, Fulnecky wrote that she was discouraged by the grounds of the article.
Based on her understanding of the Bible, she doesn’t believe there are more than two genders and felt that it is being unnecessarily pushed upon students.
In her essay, she wrote: “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.”
In response to her assignment, the instructor claimed that they weren’t deducting points due to “certain beliefs” but because it did “not answer the question".
The complaint would soon go viral with the school’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative group founded by the late Charlie Kirk.
In a statement on X, they posted: “Professors like this are the very reason conservatives can’t voice their beliefs in the classroom.”
Governor Kevin Stitt backed the group and claimed the situation was “deeply concerning".
Since then, Stitt has called out OU regents to review the case and ensure that students aren’t unfairly penalised for their beliefs.
The school has also added that the failing grade wouldn’t impact Fulnecky’s final grade or standing at OU, with the essay only worth 3%; however, the investigation into the discrimination complaint remains ongoing.