An instructor at the University of Oklahoma has been placed on leave after a student complained that she received a failing grade on a paper that cited the Bible to assert that the “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
Samantha Fulnecky, 20, filed a complaint with the administration, triggering a debate over academic freedom on college campuses amid President Trump’s initiatives to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion teaching. In an email response, the university affirmed its commitment to fairness and respect while noting that the failing grade, representing 3% of Fulnecky’s total score, would not affect her academic standing. The investigation into her complaint is ongoing.
The assignment was part of a psychology course focused on lifespan development, requiring students to write a response to a study examining the relationship between conformity to gender norms and bullying among adolescents. Fulnecky expressed frustration with the study's premise, asserting her belief in a binary understanding of gender based on biblical interpretations.
Fulnecky stated that promoting beliefs about multiple genders is demonic and detrimental to society and youth. She received zero points on the paper, as the instructor stated it did not adequately address the assignment prompts and was too heavily influenced by personal ideology.
The unfolding situation gained traction on social media through the school’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization, which suggested Fulnecky's experience exemplifies challenges conservatives face in academic environments. The Oklahoma Governor called for a review to ensure fairness in educational assessments.
This incident follows previous controversies regarding academic expression and the implications of current political climates on university curricula. Cases have emerged in the past where educators faced punitive actions for their teaching methods relating to gender and identity, raising concerns about freedom of speech within academia.
