In late November, the University of Oklahoma placed Mel Kearse on administrative leave after a transgender graduate teaching assistant gave a student a zero grade on an essay about gender roles.
The essay cited the Bible to defend traditional gender roles and described transgender people as “satanic.” Kurth and course instructor Megan Waldron said the paper did not meet basic academic standards because it lacked empirical evidence. They pointed out that the paper does not cite academic sources and fails to provide an evidence-based critique of extended essays that argue that children who do not conform to strict gender stereotypes are more likely to face bullying and negative mental health outcomes.
Student Samantha Hrunecki appealed her grades to the university, filing a complaint of religious discrimination, and an investigation was launched, which the school says is now closed.
Last week, the university fired Kearse.
The university has refused to release the results of the investigation, prompting criticism and speculation that the outcome was predetermined.
University officials said the grade appeal was decided in Frunecki’s favor, and a zero was removed from her average so she did not count. According to the Lawton-based ABC affiliate, the university also suggested that Mr. Kearse had allowed his personal beliefs to influence his grades. KSWO.
“Based on an examination of the graduate teaching assistant’s previous grading criteria and patterns, as well as the graduate teaching assistant’s own statements on this matter, it has been determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in grading this particular essay,” the university said in a statement. statement. “Graduate teaching assistants will no longer have teaching duties at the university.”
The university said it “strongly believes in both the right of faculty to teach with academic freedom and integrity and the right of students to receive an education free from instructors’ unacceptable evaluation standards.”
The University of Oklahoma chapter of the American Association of University Professors criticized the university’s decision, particularly its refusal to release the findings.
“In essence, there is nothing new here,” the group said in a statement. “OU claims without any support or specific reasons why Mel Kearse was fired. They have claimed in the past in press releases that this was due to disturbing allegations of supposed ‘religious discrimination’ that conflict with academic freedom. Is that now? Instead, they hide behind vague statements and claims that essentially ‘trust us.'” At this point, they need to show us, not tell us. And once again, OU has made the hiring decision public, which further inflames the situation. ”
Furnecki told the Oklahoma City-based CBS affiliate. KWTV She wrote the essay in about 30 minutes while rushing off with a friend to go to a college play. Transgender journalist Parker Molloy later criticized the interview. post He said Furnecki’s comments suggested she had not read the articles she was assigned to review.
Molloy also noted that: controversy Earlier this month, she argued on Substack that this reflects a broader pattern of right-wing and socially conservative actors manufacturing or amplifying conflicts involving transgender people in an effort to pressure institutions into submission.
“This is now an industry,” Molloy wrote. “There are jobs, there are salaries, there are speakers’ bureaus, there are career paths. The right is always looking for new people to join the movement. Young, photogenic people who might be seen as victims of transgender excess. Transsexuals who regret their surgeries. Transsexuals and relationships. They may be seen as victims of transgender overreach. And they are Christian students who have had relationships with transgender women.
“Each controversy is just a means to get there. Each controversy sets an example for transgender people, and for any transgender person working in education, medicine, or public life, this can happen to you. Keep your head down. Better yet, walk away.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
