A University of Oklahoma graduate assistant has been placed on administrative leave following allegations of religious discrimination after failing a student who cited Biblical teachings in an essay about gender stereotypes.
Samantha Fulnecky, a University of Oklahoma student, submitted an essay for her psychology course that was intended to address “how people are perceived based on societal expectations of gender.”
The assignment required students to respond to an article on the subject.
Instead of analyzing the assigned reading, Fulnecky wrote approximately 650 words centered on Biblical teachings about gender.
The student repeatedly stated throughout her paper that she does not take issue with gender stereotypes because “that is how God made us.”
The course was taught by Mel Curth, a graduate student who uses “she/they” pronouns. Curth assigned Fulnecky a failing grade, stating the student had not properly addressed the assignment prompt and relied on “personal ideology” rather than “empirical evidence.”
Fulnecky failed to properly cite the article she was supposed to analyze, according to information shared by the university’s Turning Point USA chapter.
Her only reference to the assigned reading was a brief mention of “teasing as a way to enforce gender norms.”
The majority of Fulnecky’s essay focused on her belief that children suffer harm from the concept of multiple genders.
Whether this topic was covered in the assigned article remains unclear.
“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,” Fulnecky wrote.
“I live my life based on this truth and firmly believe that there would be less gender issues and insecurities in children if they were raised knowing that they do not belong to themselves, but they belong to the Lord,” she added.
Curth maintained the failing grade and informed Fulnecky that portions of her submission were “at times offensive.”
“To call an entire group of people ‘demonic’ is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population,” Curth wrote.
The instructor also pointed out several contradictions present in the student’s work.
“You can say that strict gender norms don’t create gender stereotypes, but that isn’t true by definition of what a stereotype is. Please note that acknowledging gender stereotypes does not immediately denote a negative connotation, a nuance this article discusses,” she added.
Curth told Fulnecky she should attempt to “apply some more perspective and empathy” in future assignments.
The instructor noted the student remained welcome to express criticisms “in a way that is appropriate and using methodology of empirical psychology.”
A second instructor, Megan Waldron, who teaches another section of the same course, reviewed the essay and supported Curth’s grade.
Waldron expressed concern that Fulnecky did not view bullying or teasing as problematic behavior.
“Your paper directly and harshly criticizes your peers and their opinions, which are just as valuable as yours. Disagreeing with others is fine, but there is a respectful way to go about it,” Waldron wrote.
The University of Oklahoma issued a statement confirming that a “graduate student instructor” had been placed on administrative leave.
The institution stated it was investigating a student’s claims of illegal discrimination “based on religious beliefs.”
The university’s statement did not identify Fulnecky, Waldron, or Curth by name.
Whether both Waldron and Curth were removed from their positions during the investigation has not been confirmed.
