Archive · 25 Dec 2025
OU Removes TA Over Zero Grade for Bible-Citing Gender Essay
A university in Oklahoma took away a teaching assistant's job because they gave a student a zero on an essay.
The student wrote about gender and used the Bible and her personal beliefs.
The teaching assistant said the essay didn't follow the rules and was offensive.
The university said they want students to learn how to think, not what to think.
The teaching assistant might appeal the decision.
This is similar to other arguments at universities about talking about gender and religion.
University of Oklahoma removed a graduate teaching assistant's instructional duties over a grading controversy.
The TA gave a student a zero for an essay citing the Bible and personal religious beliefs on gender.
The university deemed the grading arbitrary and committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think.
The teaching assistant's lawyer denied the grading was arbitrary and is considering an appeal.
The case gained national attention after a conservative student group published the essay and comments online.
- Who
- University of Oklahoma, Teaching Assistant Mel Curth, Student Samantha Fulnecky
- What
- University removes teaching assistant's duties over grading controversy
- When
- The incident occurred in November, and the university's decision was announced on Monday
- Where
- University of Oklahoma, Washington
- Why
- The teaching assistant gave a zero grade to a student's essay that cited the Bible and personal religious beliefs on gender
- University
- University of Oklahoma
- Teaching Assistant
- Mel Curth
- Student
- Samantha Fulnecky
- Course
- Psychology
- Essay Topic
- Gender stereotypes and peer relations among middle-school students
- Grade Given
- 0 out of 25
- Reason for Grade
- Failed to meet assignment criteria, relied on personal and religious ideology
- University's Statement
- Committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think
