Hundreds protest after OU places graduate instructor on leave for giving student failing grade

Hundreds filled the University of Oklahoma’s campus Friday afternoon during a protest calling on the university to protect its professors.

An OU graduate instructor was recently placed on administrative leave after a student claimed she received a failing grade on an assignment for quoting the Bible.

OU placed a graduate instructor on administrative leave after a student alleged religious discrimination over a failed assignment. The university says a review is underway.

December 3, 2025 09:16 PM

3 min read

Critics of the essay say the student did not meet the assignment’s requirements. But OU junior Samantha Fulnecky claims she was discriminated against because of her religion, sparking national attention.

OU said the failed assignment would not count against Fulnecky’s final grade in the course.

Graduate students at OU are also condemning the university’s treatment of the graduate instructor. On Thursday night, the OU Graduate Student Senate passed a resolution calling on the university to formally apologize to the instructor and protect them from further harassment.