My name is Dylan Jenkins, and I have called Oklahoma my home for my entire life. Like a lot of Sooner kids growing up here, the University of Oklahoma was always a dream of mine, a reflection of my belief in the values and education it represents. Today, however, my confidence in this institution is severely shaken. As a current OU dual major in Political Science and Economics, and as a player for the OU ECCI Program, the recent actions taken against Mel Curth, a diligent graduate student and educator, have cast a shadow over the credibility and worth of the degree I once strived so hard to earn and the University I represent as a player.

Mel Curth was unceremoniously removed from her teaching position after making a verifiably justified academic decision. She graded an essay submitted by student Samantha Fulnecky, which was not only blatantly inadequate in meeting the academic standards of the assignment (I'd know, I've written plenty here and I read that trashy, hateful, 650-word, trad-wife vomit, any professor would have failed Samantha) but was also filled with openly prejudiced rhetoric. When faced with the consequences of her own work, Fulnecky framed her academic shortcomings as a case of religious persecution and weaponized institutional power against a marginalized member of our Norman community.

This situation now calls into question the University of Oklahoma's commitment to upholding academic standards and its stance on prejudice, especially in relation to violence towards the trans community, physical violence AND rhetorical violence. 

If the University refuses to address this issue, it will erode the reputation it has built over years of commitment to academic excellence and as an enclave of progressivism. The dismissal of Mel Curth sends a perilous message, students should purposefully submit hateful or otherwise controversial completions of their assignments and if challenged, threaten the teaching position of their instructor. It also fails to address the real source of discrimination in this issue while pandering to claims of religious discrimination where there are none.

We demand that the University of Oklahoma reinstates Mel Curth to her teaching position immediately and issues a public apology acknowledging the wrongful dismissal. This act is not just about correcting a wrong but is essential in reinforcing the ideals of academic fairness, integrity, and equality that should define our community.

Every student except Samantha has upheld their end of your integrity contract, it's time you hold up your end OU. 

By signing this petition, you stand in solidarity for academic justice and the reaffirmation of truth over prejudice. Your signature represents a statement against the perpetuation of bigotry under the guise of religious discrimination. It's time to restore Mel Curth and preserve the integrity of our University. Please sign and demand the University be held accountable!