BREAKING: The University of Oklahoma (OU) has officially dismissed graduate teaching assistant Mel Curth after a controversial grading incident involving a student’s biblical reference. This decision, confirmed on December 22, 2025, follows a review of Curth’s grading practices, which the university deemed arbitrary.
In a shocking turn of events, student Samantha Fulnecky received a failing grade on her psychology essay for referencing the Bible to challenge the conclusions of a gender roles article. Curth, who identifies as transgender, awarded Fulnecky a zero, claiming the essay relied too heavily on personal and religious beliefs, despite assignment guidelines that permitted students to question the material.
OU’s statement highlighted that Fulnecky pursued the university’s grade appeals process and filed a complaint of religious discrimination, which led to a resolution in her favor. The university’s review concluded that the grade posed no academic harm to Fulnecky, as the assignment was removed from her overall course evaluation.
“A student’s claim of religious discrimination on an individual assignment… has come to resolution,” OU stated.
The fallout from this incident has extended beyond Curth, as a second instructor involved in the grading process was placed on leave for allegedly encouraging students to protest Curth’s dismissal. This has ignited debates on academic freedom and religious expression within educational institutions.
Curth’s attorney, Brittany Stewart, has announced plans to appeal the university’s decision, asserting that Curth denies any wrongdoing and is exploring all legal avenues. “Ms. Curth continues to deny that she engaged in any arbitrary behavior regarding the student’s work,” Stewart declared.
This incident has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many advocating for both academic integrity and the rights of students to express their beliefs. The involvement of groups like Turning Point USA at OU indicates a growing movement among students to address perceived injustices within the academic system.
As this situation develops, the university community is closely watching how OU will navigate the implications of this case on its policies regarding grading and religious expression. The outcome may set a significant precedent for similar cases in the future.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds. The impact of this decision resonates far beyond the classroom, touching on fundamental issues of freedom of expression and the role of religion in academic discourse.
