OU graduate assistant removed after student’s religious discrimination claim considers appeal
By Jason Burger
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NORMAN, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A University of Oklahoma graduate teaching assistant has been removed from her teaching duties following a student’s claim of religious discrimination after receiving a zero on an essay that referenced the Bible.
The university said that its investigation into Samantha Fulnecky’s claim concluded that the assistant was “arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.” A statement from OU on Monday explained that the assistant’s prior grading standards and patterns were examined, along with her statements related to the matter, leading to her removal from instructional duties.
“I’ve gotten 100 on every single essay in this class, and I write them all the same—exactly the same. The TA has never had a problem with how I write my papers in this class,” Fulnecky, a junior at OU, said.
She also criticized the university for allowing professors who restrict free speech.
The graduate teaching assistant, who was placed on administrative leave after the complaint, directed KOCO to her attorney, who said, “She continues to deny that she engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work, and is considering all of her legal remedies, including appealing this decision by the University.”
During a protest earlier this month, some individuals argued that the paper should have been written at a higher level.
“It’s not discrimination. It’s accountability. If you want the grades, you have to do the work,” Lucy, a protester, said.
Michael Givel, a professor of political science at OU, previously said he was concerned about the expedited nature of the investigation.
“It was highly expedited. Usually, these processes take several weeks before there’s a hearing, or if there is even a hearing,” Givel said.
Givel, who is with the American Association of University Professors at OU, said that the university has not provided specific reasons for the assistant’s removal, questioning the transparency of the process.
“They have claimed in the past in press releases that this was due to supposed and disturbing claims of ‘religious discrimination’ that clash with academic freedom. Is it now? Instead, they hide behind vague statements and essentially assertions of ‘trust us’. At this point, they need to show us and not tell us,” the AAUP said in a statement.
The AAUP has organized an online petition supporting the graduate assistant, advocating for academic freedom and due process.
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