| The Oklahoman
OU student Samantha Fulnecky says essay grade violated her rights
OU student says Bible-based essay grade violated free-speech rights
A University of Oklahoma student studying psychology says the failing grade she received on an essay where she cited the Bible was a violation of her right to free speech.
In her essay, which was in response to an article about how people are perceived based on societal expectations of gender, junior Samantha Fulnecky wrote that traditional gender roles should not be considered stereotypes, according to an earlier Oklahoman report. She cited the Bible to support her stance that eliminating gender in society would be “detrimental” because that would put people “farther from God’s original plan for humans.”
She received zero points out of 25 on the essay. The instructor said Fulnecky failed to use empirical evidence and called parts of her essay offensive.
Fulnecky noted that the assignment did not require students to cite empirical evidence and said she believes OU policy protects free speech even if some people find it offensive. Fulnecky believed she was failed because she cited the Bible.
“To be what I think is clearly discriminated against for my beliefs and using freedom of speech, and especially for my religious beliefs, I think that’s just absurd,” Fulnecky told The Oklahoman.
OU announced it had placed the graduate instructor on administrative leave Sunday, Nov. 30.
You can read Fulnecky’s full essay, and the response from her instructors, below.
Read the full essay:
See assignment criteria
Read the criteria for the essay assigned to Fulnecky. Emails and communication were provided to The Oklahoman by Fulnecky and the instructors’ names have been redacted.
Read instructors’ comments:
Read a transcript of the conversation between Fulnecky and her instructors regarding her grade below. Emails and communication were provided to The Oklahoman by Fulnecky and the instructors’ names have been redacted.
Share your thoughts:
Now that you’ve read the essay, what do you think? Was the professor justified in giving it a zero? What grade would you have given it, and why? Send your grade and comments to yourviews@oklahoman.com. Please include your name and where you’re from so we can include your comments in our story.
Alexia Aston contributed to this report.
