A University of Oklahoma lecturer is now on administrative leave pending an investigation due to allegations of viewpoint discrimination and selectively excusing absences for certain students to attend a protest.
A memo from the university states the alleged discrimination occurred when students were allowed to attend a protest in support of a graduate professor who had recently been placed on leave, but the instructor didn’t extend the same option to those looking to attend a counter-protest. The memo states any student, regardless of their beliefs, would receive an excused absence if they chose to attend a protest.
More: How an OU student’s failing grade turned into a viral online debate
Additionally, the memo states that upon learning about the situation, the Director of First Year Composition told students in person and through email that the lecturer’s actions were “inappropriate and wrong.”
Marches pass by the clock tower at the Bizzell Memorial Library during a protest and march supporting the graduate assistant that graded Samantha Fulnecky’s essay on the University of Oklahoma (OU) campus, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
The lecturer has been replaced for the remainder of the semester, according to the university statement, which goes on to express support for the director’s decision.
“Classroom instructors have a special obligation to ensure that the classroom is never used to grant preferential treatment based on personal political beliefs, nor to pressure students to adopt particular political or ideological views,” the statement reads.
Hundreds of students, along with faculty and alumni, attended a rally Friday afternoon to support the graduate assistant who was suspended in November after a student claimed she received a failing grade on an essay due to religious discrimination.
The university’s investigation of the claims made by Samantha Fulnecky, a junior psychology major, is still ongoing.
Samantha Fulnecky during a interview in the office of The Oklahoman, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
Fulnecky received a zero on the essay that referred to the Bible to support her view on traditional gender roles. The instructor called parts of her essay offensive, and said she didn’t use empirical evidence.
Fulnecky told The Oklahoman that it wasn’t her intention to be offensive.
More: OU reacts to essay controversy, puts teacher on administrative leave
Students at the protest Friday said they were disappointed by the response from the university and state officials, including Gov. Kevin Stitt and several GOP lawmakers.
The situation has sparked a national debate surrounding academic freedom, free speech, and religious discrimination on public university campuses. Defenders of the instructor say the failing grade was justified due to the essay’s poor academic merit and a failure to meet course requirements rather than religious discrimination. Supporters of the student say Fulnecky was unduly penalized for her conservative Christian views.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU lecturer placed on administrative leave
