A University of Oklahoma instructor has been placed on leave after a student complained about receiving a failing grade on a paper.

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, the latest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over academic freedom on college campuses amid Donald Trump’s push to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and restrict how campuses discuss issues of race, gender and sexuality.

Fulnecky wrote that she was frustrated by the premise of the article because she doesn’t believe that there are more than two genders based on her understanding of the Bible, according to a copy of her essay provided to The Oklahoman.

  • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
    57·
    1 day ago

    The assignment was for a psychology class about lifespan development. Students were asked to write a 650-word response to an academic study that examined whether conformity with gender norms was associated with popularity or bullying among middle school students.

    The essays were graded out of 25 points, broken down by whether the student demonstrated an understanding of the article and addressed a specific aspect of the argument put forth. Fulnecky received zero points for her work.

    "Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs,” the instructor wrote in feedback obtained by The Oklahoman. Instead, the instructor said the paper did “not answer the questions for the assignment.”

    • davad@lemmy.world
      53·
      1 day ago

      I’ve been following this situation. This article leaves out a ton of relevant info. Here’s some more details in no particular order:

      • The assignment had nothing to do with transgenderism. It was to read and discuss an academic paper about socially enforced gender norms (e.g., bullying the tomboy for not wearing makeup).
      • The instructor is a grad student.
      • The same day the student filed the complaint, a second grader (a professor I think) re-graded the paper and confirmed the original grade.

      Someone I follow on another platform pointed out that this looks suspiciously like a setup to stoke outrage and media attention.

      • Samantha Fulnecky is a junior and this is a freshman course.
      • This section of the course is the only section taught by a transwoman.
      • The assignment is not a meaningful part of the grade. Think of it as a weekly assignment, not a major paper or exam.
      • Samantha’s mother is a lawyer and conservative activist known for representing two Jan 6ers and for fighting COVID-related mandates. She has been in national news before.
      • Samantha & mother contacted media outlets the same day Samantha filed the complaint (the regrade happened that same day too).

      Edit: sorry, didn’t mean to reply to the previous comment. This was meant to be a top-level comment. I’ve reposted

      • azimir@lemmy.ml
        281·
        1 day ago

        Samantha’s mother is a lawyer and conservative activist known for representing two Jan 6ers and for fighting COVID-related mandates. She has been in national news before.

        Yeah, your evidence is pretty convincing. It may not have been an explicit setup, but it sure feels like it. If nothing else, it’s the perfect storm of factors that would lead it to be a supreme court case in the stew pot simmering away.

        • DomeGuy@lemmy.world
          111·
          1 day ago

          You’re abusing the word “may” here to a degree that’s unnecessary.

          It’s like saying the US civil war “may” have been about slavery, or that Trump “may” be really old.

      • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
        20·
        1 day ago

        Definitely sounds like a media play based in lies. Too bad about this god awful AP headline

      • Null User Object@lemmy.world
        15·
        1 day ago

        Someone I follow on another platform pointed out that this looks suspiciously like a setup to stoke outrage and media attention.

        Every time this kind of thing makes the news, this is a safe assumption to operate under until you get more details. Time and time again, this is what’s going on.