ACTION FROM THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT, KOCO JASON BURGER HAS THE UPDATE. THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS AT OU SENDING A LETTER AND PETITION TO OU PRESIDENT JOSEPH HARRAH ON FRIDAY. THE AAUP PUT TOGETHER THAT ONLINE PETITION AFTER A GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT WAS REMOVED FROM TEACHING DUTIES FOLLOWING A STUDENT’S CLAIM OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION. THIS ALL STARTED AFTER THAT STUDENT GOT A ZERO ON AN ESSAY WHICH REFERENCED THE BIBLE. ON THE ESSAY IN QUESTION, THE UNIVERSITY SAID IN A STATEMENT THE ASSISTANT WAS ARBITRARY, AND THE GRADING OF THIS SPECIFIC PAPER. IN THE LETTER, THE ASSOCIATION SAID, QUOTE, WE HAVE YET TO SEE ANY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE FINDINGS OF ARBITRARY GRADING IN THIS CASE. YET EVEN IF SUCH A CONCLUSION WAS JUSTIFIED, DISMISSING A GRADUATE STUDENT FROM INSTRUCTIONAL DUTIES ON A FIRST OFFENSE IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE, AND LAW, ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS. HERE. OR WAS IT A VIOLATION OF RELIGIOUS RIGHTS, OR FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR ACADEMIC FREEDOM, BY THE WAY, WHICH IS A SUBSET OF FREE SPEECH? THE AAUP GAVE US AN ADDITIONAL STATEMENT FRIDAY SAYING IN PART, QUOTE, IS OU WILLING AND ABLE TO MAINTAIN STRONG ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN THE FACE OF UNWARRANTED INTRUSIONS AND POLITICAL INTERFERENCE. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE GRADE, IT’S ABOUT THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND IT AND ABOUT WHAT THE UNIVERSITY IS ALLOWING. 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. SAMANTHA, WHO FILED THE RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT IN THE FIRST PLACE, WAS TOLD THAT ZERO GRADE WOULD NOT IMPACT HER FINAL GRADE IN THE CLASS. THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS ALSO INCLUDED A PETITION WITH THEIR LETTER TO PRESIDENT HARRAH, WHICH HAS 23,780 SIGNATURES. THE AAUP NOTED 19,300 OF THOSE CAME FROM THE BROADER COMMUNITY, WHILE 3210 HAD DIRECT TIES TO THE UNIVERSITY. ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ALSO SIGNED THE PETITION, AND WE’LL HAVE THE FULL BRE
OU professors seek answers after TA removed over Bible essay grading
The American Association of University Professors at the University of Oklahoma has requested an explanation from President Joseph Harroz after a teaching assistant was removed following a student’s religious discrimination claim.
The American Association of University Professors at the University of Oklahoma has sent a letter and petition to President Joseph Harroz, seeking an explanation after a graduate teaching assistant was removed from teaching duties following a student’s claim of religious discrimination over a Bible-referenced essay.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThe university stated that the assistant was “arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.” In their letter, the association said, “We have yet to see any evidence to support the findings of ‘arbitrary’ grading in this case. Yet, even if such a conclusion was justified, dismissing a graduate student from instructional duties on a first offense is not an appropriate response.”Michael Givel, a political science professor at OU, questioned whether the situation involved arbitrary and capricious actions or a violation of religious rights, freedom of speech, or academic freedom, which he noted is a subset of free speech.The AAUP at OU also released an additional statement, saying, “Is OU willing and able to maintain strong academic freedom in the face of unwarranted intrusions and political interference?”Samantha Fulnecky, the student who filed the religious discrimination complaint, said, “It’s not just about the grade, it’s the principle behind it, and what the university is allowing.” She added, “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.” Fulnecky was informed that the zero grade would not impact her final grade in the class.The AAUP’s letter to President Harroz included a digital petition with 23,780 signatures, noting that 19,300 of those came from the broader community, while 3,210 had direct ties to the university. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Associations and groups from other universities around the country also signed the petition.Top HeadlinesTwo dead after car crashes into building, sparking fire in southwest Oklahoma CityNews We Love: Viral acts of kindness, heroism and love that warmed our hearts in 2025Reports: Victoria Jones, daughters of actor Tommy Lee Jones, found deadInvestigation underway after body found in southeast Oklahoma City, prompting large police presenceDashcam video sheds light on case against Oklahoma trooper charged with rape
The American Association of University Professors at the University of Oklahoma has sent a letter and petition to President Joseph Harroz, seeking an explanation after a graduate teaching assistant was removed from teaching duties following a student’s claim of religious discrimination over a Bible-referenced essay.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
The university stated that the assistant was “arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.”
In their letter, the association said, “We have yet to see any evidence to support the findings of ‘arbitrary’ grading in this case. Yet, even if such a conclusion was justified, dismissing a graduate student from instructional duties on a first offense is not an appropriate response.”
Michael Givel, a political science professor at OU, questioned whether the situation involved arbitrary and capricious actions or a violation of religious rights, freedom of speech, or academic freedom, which he noted is a subset of free speech.
The AAUP at OU also released an additional statement, saying, “Is OU willing and able to maintain strong academic freedom in the face of unwarranted intrusions and political interference?”
Samantha Fulnecky, the student who filed the religious discrimination complaint, said, “It’s not just about the grade, it’s the principle behind it, and what the university is allowing.” She added, “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.”
Fulnecky was informed that the zero grade would not impact her final grade in the class.
The AAUP’s letter to President Harroz included a digital petition with 23,780 signatures, noting that 19,300 of those came from the broader community, while 3,210 had direct ties to the university.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Associations and groups from other universities around the country also signed the petition.
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