(The Center Square) – The American Association of University Professors at the University of Oklahoma sent a letter asking President Joseph Harroz to further explain the removal of a teaching assistant after claims of religious discrimination against a student.
In the letter, AAUP highlights that there is no evidence to justify the removal of the TA and that academic freedom is essential for staff and faculty to grade material without fear of losing their jobs.
“We have yet to see any evidence to support the findings of ‘arbitrary’ grading in this case,” the letter states. “Yet, even if such a conclusion was justified, dismissing a graduate student from instructional duties on a first offense is not an appropriate response.”
In November, a University of Oklahoma student, Samantha Fulnecky, referenced the Bible many times throughout her college essay, stating that society is harming American youth.
After receiving a 0 out of 25 grade, Fulnecky filed a religious discrimination complaint against Mel Curth, a graduate teaching assistant at the university, known as OU. In December, Curth was removed from the classroom and placed on leave.
Now, AAUP at OU wants an explanation regarding the process that led to Curth’s removal, with a petition titled “Defend OU Instructors and Academic Freedom,” calling for the administration to reaffirm its commitment to academic freedom.
“The OU administration may view their actions as the best strategy to mitigate institutional risk, but it comes at the expense of the educators and researchers who make our university function,” the petition states. “When the University fails to defend these principles against attacks, it chills intellectual expression and increases the risk to faculty and graduate students.”
The petition calls for OU to release full details on the policies that resulted in Curth’s removal, publicly reaffirm the right for faculty and instructors to teach and grade without political interference and work with the campus community to develop a “Harassment Response and Prevention Plan” that would include clear guidelines in responding to political attacks.
“OU’s failure to stand up for its expressed commitment to academic freedom or defend the instructor from targeted harassment reveals the need for faculty, staff, students, and the wider community to unite in defense of our university and shared values,” the petition states.
The AAUP’s letter to President Harroz included a digital petition with 24,619 signatures, with the goal of 25,600.
“It’s not just about the grade, it’s the principle behind it, and what the university is allowing,” Fulnecky said in a statement. “I write them all the same, all the exact same. The TA has never had a problem with how I write my papers in this class.”
The Center Square reached out to the president’s office at OU and AAUP, but did not receive a response.
