University of Oklahoma Removes Instructor Mel Curth After Samantha Fulnecky Bible-Based Essay Controversy

University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma Removes Graduate Instructor After Grading Dispute Over Bible-Based Essay

NORMAN, Okla. — The University of Oklahoma has removed a graduate teaching assistant from instructional duties following an investigation into claims that a student was unfairly graded for submitting a faith-based essay addressing gender roles.

The decision follows a high-profile dispute involving Samantha Fulnecky, a 20-year-old junior, who received a zero on a written assignment after citing her Christian beliefs to argue that there are only two genders.

The instructor, Mel Curth, a transgender graduate student who uses “she/they” pronouns, was teaching an undergraduate psychology course when the grading controversy erupted in late November. The university confirmed Monday that Curth has been stripped of teaching responsibilities after officials determined the grading was arbitrary.

“Based on an examination of the graduate teaching assistant’s own statements related to this matter, it was determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper,” the university said in a statement. “The graduate teaching assistant will no longer have instructional duties at the university.”

Assignment and Controversy

The assignment required students to write a 650-word response to an academic article analyzing whether conformity to gender norms affected popularity or bullying among middle school students.

Fulnecky’s response challenged the concept of multiple genders, arguing that gender is biologically determined and rooted in her Christian faith. While she did not formally cite the Bible, her essay referenced biblical beliefs and religious doctrine.

“I don’t believe there are more than two genders because that is how God made us,” Fulnecky wrote.

She further argued that societal acceptance of multiple genders harms children and contradicts her faith.

Curth responded by awarding Fulnecky a zero, stating that the essay failed to address the academic prompt and relied on “personal ideology” rather than “empirical evidence.” The instructor also described portions of the essay as “at times offensive.”

University Review and Outcome

Following the essay’s viral spread on social media and Fulnecky’s claim of religious discrimination, the university placed Curth on administrative leave and launched a formal review.

Earlier in December, the university announced that the failed assignment would not affect Fulnecky’s final grade. The subsequent investigation concluded that the grading decision lacked appropriate academic consistency.

The university emphasized that its decision was based on grading practices rather than the instructor’s personal identity or beliefs.

Broader Debate

The case has reignited national debate over academic freedom, religious expression, and classroom standards, particularly in discussions involving gender identity and faith-based viewpoints.

Supporters of Fulnecky argue students should not be penalized for expressing religious beliefs in academic settings, while others maintain that coursework must adhere to academic evidence and established scholarship.

The University of Oklahoma has not indicated whether additional policy changes or guidance for graduate instructors will follow.

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FAQs: University of Oklahoma Removes Instructor After Grading Controversy

What happened at the University of Oklahoma?

The University of Oklahoma removed a graduate teaching assistant, Mel Curth, from instructional duties after determining that a student’s paper was graded arbitrarily following an internal review.

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Who is the student involved in the controversy?

The student is Samantha Fulnecky, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Oklahoma who submitted a paper expressing Christian beliefs about gender roles.

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What was the assignment about?

The assignment required students to write a 650-word response to an academic article analyzing whether conformity to gender norms affected popularity or bullying among middle school students.

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Why did Fulnecky receive a failing grade initially?

Fulnecky received a zero after the instructor stated that her paper relied on personal ideology rather than empirical evidence and did not adequately address the academic prompt.

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What did Fulnecky argue in her essay?

Fulnecky argued that she believes there are only two genders, stating that “that is how God made us,” and cited her Christian faith as the basis for her position.

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Did Fulnecky formally cite the Bible in her paper?

According to reports, Fulnecky referenced Christian beliefs but did not formally cite the Bible in academic format.

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Who is Mel Curth?

Mel Curth is a graduate student and teaching assistant in the psychology department who uses “she/they” pronouns and was responsible for grading the assignment.

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Why was Curth removed from teaching duties?

The university stated that, after reviewing Curth’s own statements, it determined that the grading of Fulnecky’s paper was arbitrary, leading to Curth’s removal from instructional responsibilities.

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Was Curth fired entirely from the university?

The university stated that Curth was stripped of instructional duties, but it did not publicly clarify whether she was fully terminated from all university roles.

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Did the failing grade affect Fulnecky’s final course grade?

No. The university ruled earlier that the grade on the essay would not impact Fulnecky’s final grade in the course.

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What role did public backlash play in the decision?

The incident gained national attention after Fulnecky’s essay went viral, prompting widespread public debate and leading the university to launch a formal investigation.

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Did the university confirm religious discrimination?

The university did not explicitly label the incident as religious discrimination but concluded that the grading decision was not academically justified.

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What justification did the instructor give for the failing grade?

Curth stated that the paper failed to engage with empirical research and contained assertions she described as “at times offensive.”

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Did the university defend academic freedom?

The university emphasized academic standards while also stating that grading must be fair, objective, and non-arbitrary, regardless of viewpoint.

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Has the university changed any policies as a result?

As of now, the university has not announced changes to grading policies or instructional guidelines related to the incident.

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Why has this case drawn national attention?

The case touches on broader debates involving religious expression, academic freedom, gender ideology, and viewpoint discrimination in higher education.

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Is the case considered resolved?

The university considers the matter resolved following Curth’s removal from teaching duties and the decision to protect Fulnecky’s course grade.