An instructor at the University of Oklahoma has been placed on leave after a student complained about receiving a failing grade on a psychology assignment in which she used the Bible to argue that the “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
The student, 20-year-old Samantha Fulnecky, filed a discrimination complaint with the university — a case that has now become part of the wider national debate over academic freedom, free speech, and how US campuses discuss race, gender, and sexuality. The controversy also comes amid President Donald Trump’s broader push to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and influence how such topics are taught.
University: Religious belief must be respected
In a statement emailed on Wednesday, the university wrote:
“OU remains firmly committed to fairness, respect, and protecting every student’s right to express sincerely held religious beliefs.”
Officials also clarified that the failing grade — worth only 3% of Fulnecky’s final grade — would not harm her academic standing. The investigation into her discrimination complaint remains ongoing.
The assignment and the conflict
The disputed essay was part of a lifespan development psychology course. Students were instructed to write a 650-word response to a research study on whether adherence to gender norms affected popularity or bullying among middle school students.
According to the feedback Fulnecky received, her paper relied heavily on personal ideology, contradicted itself, failed to engage with empirical evidence appropriate for a scientific course, and at times was considered offensive.
The instructor’s identity has not been publicly confirmed, and they have not responded to media inquiries.
Controversy spreads online
Fulnecky’s complaint gained widespread attention after the University of Oklahoma chapter of Turning Point USA — a conservative student group founded by Charlie Kirk — posted about the situation on X (formerly Twitter).
“Professors like this are the reason conservatives can’t voice their beliefs in the classroom,” the group wrote.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt echoed those concerns, calling the situation “deeply concerning” and urging the university regents to ensure students are not unfairly penalized for their beliefs.
Part of a larger national trend
The incident comes months after a Texas A&M professor was fired following a viral video in which she was confronted by a student over teaching gender identity in a children’s literature course. A university committee later ruled the firing unjustified.
Since Trump took office, many campuses have scaled back student groups, modified curricula, or faced pressure over DEI programming. Trump has also threatened federal funding for schools that do not comply with administration-backed policies on admissions, gender, and athletics.
Both supporters and critics argue that freedom of speech — whether for conservative students or for academic faculty — is increasingly at stake.
