A University of Oklahoma instructor has been placed on administrative leave following a controversial grading decision involving a student's essay that used Biblical scripture to argue that gender is strictly binary. The incident, which came to light in early December 2025, has ignited a debate over academic standards, religious expression, and institutional policy in higher education.
The Controversial Assignment and Grade
The conflict stems from a course assignment where students were tasked with writing an essay on a topic related to gender. According to reports from The Associated Press, one student submitted a paper that grounded its argument in passages from the Bible, concluding that gender is defined as solely male and female. The instructor, whose identity has not been publicly released by the university, awarded the essay a failing grade.
The decision to fail the essay prompted an immediate response from the student and later, from university administrators. The core of the dispute appears to center on whether the grade was based on the essay's academic merit, citation quality, and argument structure, or on a disagreement with the religious perspective presented.
University's Response and Investigation
In response to the complaint, the University of Oklahoma swiftly placed the instructor on paid administrative leave pending a full review. This is a standard procedural move that allows the institution to investigate the circumstances surrounding the grade without the instructor's involvement in teaching or grading.
The university has not disclosed the specific reasons for the failing grade, citing student privacy laws and the confidentiality of the ongoing personnel investigation. However, a spokesperson confirmed that the administration is examining whether the grading process adhered to established academic policies and principles of fairness.
Broader Implications for Academic Freedom
This case touches on several sensitive and perennial issues in academia. On one side, proponents of academic freedom argue that instructors have the right to evaluate work based on scholarly rigor, critical analysis, and adherence to the scientific or methodological standards of the discipline. If an essay relies solely on religious doctrine without engaging with academic literature, a poor grade may be justified.
Conversely, critics of the instructor's action see it as potential viewpoint discrimination, suggesting that a perspective rooted in a religious tradition was penalized. This raises questions about whether students can express faith-based arguments in an academic setting and how such arguments should be assessed against secular scholarly criteria.
The University of Oklahoma, like many public institutions, must navigate the complex intersection of the First Amendment, which protects religious speech, and its mandate to uphold academic standards. The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, not only in Oklahoma but across North American universities.
As of early December 2025, the investigation continues, with no timeline announced for its conclusion. The instructor remains on leave, and the student's academic standing regarding the assignment is pending the review's findings.