NORMAN-(KOKH) — Hundreds of students gathered at the University of Oklahoma Friday to protest in support of the instructor who was placed on administrative leave after giving a student a zero on a psychology paper.
Students chanted “OU shame on you,” “Protect our professors,” and “Justice for Mel,” the name of the grad student instructor, who’s accused of discriminating against a student’s religious beliefs in a paper the student wrote.
“The essay is just not written very well and it’s incredibly transphobic, and also there’s so many people here supporting transgender rights,” said Jesse Davis.
Not everyone in attendance necessarily agreed with the protest, however.
“To be honest I think it’s a little too much. I don’t see a need for this giant protest when like, it’s over an assignment,” said Jackson Barr.
Things got especially testy when a Turning Point USA supporter got in front of the crowd and began counterprotesting.
But even those not in support of the protest were critical of the student’s essay.
“She should’ve completed the assignment according to the rubric, not based off her personal beliefs,” said Barr.
Similar to the ones that did co-sign the protest.
“There’s no thesis, there’s no citations,” said Davis.
The students FOX 25 spoke with overwhelmingly agreed the instructor shouldn’t be punished.
“There’s no need to get fired because she graded the assignment according to the rubric,” Barr said.
“I think putting the professor on leave is a bit too far,” Davis added.
As of now, the instructor still remains on administrative leave.
