The University of Oklahoma has taken disciplinary action against multiple faculty members following allegations of religious discrimination and viewpoint bias that have drawn attention to academic freedom concerns on the Norman campus.
The controversy began when student Samantha Fulnecky received a failing grade of zero out of 25 points on an essay assignment addressing gender norms. Fulnecky had invoked her Christian beliefs and cited Biblical references in her response. The assignment was graded by teaching assistant William “Mel” Curth, who uses she/they pronouns.
The university confirmed last week that Curth has been removed from classroom duties pending further review of the grading decision. University officials determined that the grade and accompanying comments warranted immediate action.
The matter has since expanded to include a second faculty member. An assistant teaching professor, identified by multiple sources as Kelli Alvarez, now faces her own investigation for alleged viewpoint discrimination related to the subsequent controversy.
Following Curth’s removal, a protest was organized on campus advocating for the teaching assistant’s reinstatement. According to the university’s statement released Friday evening, Alvarez offered excused absences to students wishing to attend this protest.
The situation escalated when Kalib Magana, president of the campus Turning Point chapter, requested an excused absence to participate in a counter-protest of the same event. According to the conservative student organization, Alvarez denied this request unless Magana could provide documentation of an organized counter-protest group.
The university addressed this second allegation directly in its public statement, acknowledging that a lecturer had “allegedly demonstrated viewpoint discrimination by excusing students who intended to miss class to attend a protest on campus, but not extending the same benefit to students who intended to miss class to express a counter-viewpoint.”
Republican State Senator Shane David Jett has also weighed in on the matter, confirming details of the allegations against Alvarez.
University administrators moved swiftly to address the counter-protest controversy. A school director intervened immediately, informing students that equal treatment would be provided regardless of their viewpoint on the underlying controversy.
The incidents have raised questions about academic freedom, religious expression, and equal treatment of differing viewpoints within university settings. These concerns resonate particularly strongly in Oklahoma, where conservative values maintain significant influence in public discourse.
The university has not yet announced what specific disciplinary measures, if any, will be imposed on either faculty member following the completion of their respective investigations. The institution has emphasized its commitment to maintaining an environment where students of all backgrounds and beliefs can express themselves without fear of academic retaliation.
This case joins a growing number of incidents nationwide where students have alleged discrimination based on political or religious viewpoints within academic settings. The outcome of the University of Oklahoma’s investigation may serve as a precedent for how public universities navigate the intersection of academic authority and student expression rights.
The matter remains under review by university officials.
Related: Former Trump Ally Greene Departs Congress After Epstein Files Vote
