A University of Oklahoma student studying psychology says the failing grade she received for an essay in which 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 Fulnecki wrote that traditional gender roles should not be considered stereotypes, according to an earlier report by The Oklahoman. He cited the Bible to support his stance that eliminating gender in society would be “harmful” because it would move people “away from God’s original plan for humans.”
He got zero marks out of 25 in the essay. The instructor said that Fulani failed to use empirical evidence and described parts of her essay as offensive.
Fulnecky said the assignment did not require students to cite empirical evidence and that he believes OU policy protects free speech, even if some people may find it offensive. Fulnecki believed that she failed because she quoted the Bible.
More: OU reacts to essay controversy by sending teacher on administrative leave
Fulnecki told The Oklahoman, “I think that for this to happen is so clearly discriminatory for my beliefs and exercising my freedom of expression, and especially my religious beliefs, I think it’s absolutely absurd.”
OU announced it has placed the graduate instructor on administrative leave effective Sunday, Nov. 30.
You can read Fulnecki’s full essay and his coaches’ responses below.
Read the full essay:
View assignment criteria
Read the criteria for the essay assigned to Fulnecki. Emails and communications were provided to The Oklahoman by Fulnecky and the names of the trainers have been redacted.
More: OU student says Bible-based essay grades violated free speech rights
Read the trainers’ comments:
Read the transcript of the conversation between Fulnecki and his coaches regarding his grades below. Emails and communications were provided to The Oklahoman by Fulnecky and the names of the trainers have been redacted.
Share your thoughts:
Now that you’ve read the essay, what do you think? Was the professor right to give it a zero? What grade would you have given it and why? Send your grades and comments here yourviews@oklahoman.comPlease include your name and where you’re from so we can include your comments in our story,
Alexia Aston contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Oklahoman: OU student says this essay’s grade was a violation of her rights
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