A clash over a failed university essay has escalated into a national controversy in the United States, pitting claims of religious discrimination against academic standards. The incident at the University of Oklahoma (OU) has drawn in prominent conservative activists and politicians, leading to a formal university investigation.
The Failed Assignment and Conflicting Claims
Samantha Fulnecky, a junior studying at OU, received a failing grade on a psychology paper for her gender studies class. The assignment required a 650-word reaction to an article about the impact of gender norms on middle school students' mental health.
In her submission, Fulnecky repeatedly referenced the Bible, arguing that eliminating gender distinctions is detrimental and strays from "God's original plan." She wrote that desires to fulfil traditional gender roles are innate and God-given, not social constructs, and labelled societal acceptance of multiple genders as "demonic."
The instructor, Mel Curth, who uses she/they pronouns, failed the essay. In feedback, Curth stated the grade was not based on Fulnecky's beliefs but because the paper did not answer the assignment questions, contradicted itself, relied on personal ideology over empirical evidence in a scientific class, and was at times offensive. Curth emphasised that major psychological and medical associations in the US acknowledge sex and gender as neither binary nor fixed.
Turning Point USA Intervenes and the Backlash
The university's chapter of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA posted the essay and the instructor's comments online in a Thanksgiving social media post. The group denounced Curth, stating, "We should not be letting mentally ill professors around students," and launched a campaign supporting Fulnecky's "academic freedom."
The case quickly gained traction online and in political circles. Former Oklahoma schools Superintendent Ryan Walters called Fulnecky "an American hero" and accused OU of harbouring "Marxist professors." Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Republican state senator Dusty Deevers also voiced support, with Deevers suggesting the incident raised "serious First Amendment concerns."
However, many social media users criticised the essay's quality. One commenter noted Fulnecky "failed to follow directions, didn't meet the word count and didn't cite a single source." Others defended the instructor's right to grade based on academic merit and adherence to assignment guidelines.
University Response and Ongoing Fallout
In response to a formal complaint from Fulnecky, the University of Oklahoma announced a "full review" of the matter. The institution has placed instructor Mel Curth on leave pending the outcome and is conducting a formal grade appeal process while examining the discrimination claim.
In a weekend statement, OU said it takes "seriously concerns involving First Amendment rights, certainly including religious freedoms" and is committed to "protecting every student's right to express sincerely held religious beliefs."
The controversy echoes broader national tensions. In February 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at "eradicating anti-Christian bias." Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, has continued to frame the OU incident as part of a wider conflict, demanding the professor be fired and urging conservatives to take a stand.
As the university's review continues, the debate underscores the volatile intersection of education, faith, and politics in contemporary America.
