Campus Tensions Escalate: Christian Student's Grade Restored, Jewish Students Disturbed, Conservative Clubs Blocked

Campus Conflicts Over Speech, Religion and Student Groups

Over the past week, several U.S. college and K–12 events drew attention for disputes involving religious expression, political messaging and recognition of student organizations. Reports collected by the Campus Radicals series highlight clashes that administrators, parents and students say raise questions about free speech, inclusion and campus policies.

Samantha Fulnecky: Essay Graded 0, Then Restored

At a flagship Oklahoma university, pre-med junior Samantha Fulnecky received a 0 out of 25 on a reaction paper assignment after she wrote from a Christian, biblically grounded perspective about gender roles. The assignment asked students to read a scholarly paper about gender norms and submit a thoughtful response. Fulnecky wrote that gender roles should be affirmed rather than dismissed and included passages referencing religious beliefs about men and women.

"Gender roles and tendencies should not be considered 'stereotypes'... Women naturally want to do womanly things because God created us with those womanly desires in our hearts."

The paper was graded by graduate assistant William "Mel" Curth, who uses she/they pronouns. Curth described the submission as "offensive" and faulted it for relying on personal ideology rather than empirical evidence. The university later restored Fulnecky's grade and placed Curth on administrative leave while it investigates whether the deduction was appropriate.

Wissahickon Culture Fair: Keffiyehs and Concern

At a culture fair in the Wissahickon School District outside Philadelphia, a Muslim Students Association booth distributed keffiyehs bearing slogans critical of Israel. A Jewish student reportedly returned home feeling shaken; the student's parent, Lynn Simon, said their child worried about whether it was safe to speak up as a Jew at school.

District leaders, including Superintendent Mwenyewe Dawan, Assistant Superintendent Sean Gardiner and Wissahickon High School Principal Lynne Blair, attended the event and initially posted photos of students wearing the items; those photos were later removed. Some parents criticized the presence of politically charged messaging at a school event, calling it indoctrination rather than education.

Vanguard University Denies Official Students for Life Chapter

At Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California — a private Christian institution — students who applied to form a chapter of Students for Life were told the application would be denied because the university forbids organizations with ties to national political groups. Student organizer Linda-Isabella Rendon later received approval to form a campus group called Vanguard Lions Love Life, which is unaffiliated with the national Students for Life organization.

University of Southern Maine: Online Threats and Pro-Life Students

An anonymous online post opposing a proposed Students for Life chapter at the University of Southern Maine referenced conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and included a veiled threat. USM junior Jadyn Carrigan, a pro-life student, said she and her club members plan to exercise free speech and pursue respectful dialogue despite the post.

Loyola New Orleans: Turning Point USA Denied RSO Status Twice

Students affiliated with Turning Point USA were denied recognition as a registered student organization (RSO) twice by Loyola University of New Orleans' student government association (SGA). A campus court of review found problems with the SGA's initial rationale and sent the matter back to the SGA, which again rejected the charter amid a small protest outside the meeting. Law student Ethan Estis criticized the denial as political; the university said it respects the autonomy of the SGA and that additional appeals are possible.

Taken together, these incidents underscore ongoing tensions on campuses and in school districts over the boundaries of acceptable speech, religious expression, and the rules that govern student organizations. Administrations are conducting investigations and appeals in several cases.