Oklahoma instructor who gave student a zero on gender essay barred from teaching duties, school says

The University of Oklahoma said Monday that the graduate teaching assistant who assigned a failing grade to a student for a psychology essay on gender stereotypes will “no longer have instructional duties” at the university

The University of Oklahoma said Monday that the graduate teaching assistant who assigned a failing grade to a student for a psychology essay on gender stereotypes will “no longer have instructional duties” at the university.

A graduate teaching assistant for an online psychology class was “arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper” and therefore will “no longer have instructional duties,” the university said in a statement. It is not immediately clear whether the teaching assistant faces further disciplinary action or is still on leave.

“We are committed to teaching students how to think, not what to think,” the university said. “The University will continue to review best practices to ensure that its instructors have the comprehensive training necessary to objectively assess their students’ work without limiting their ability to teach, inspire, and elevate our next generation.”

The university did not name the teaching assistant, but it appeared to be referring to Mel Curth, who NBC News previously reported gave the paper a zero. Curth did not immediately reply to a request for comment Tuesday.

Samantha Fulnecky in an interview in the office of The Oklahoman on Dec. 3.Doug Hoke / The Oklahoman via USA TODAY NetworkCurth recently gave Samantha Fulnecky, a junior on a premed track, a zero on her essay about gender stereotypes for an online graduate psychology class.