The University of Tennessee thought it could give in to right-wing anger and fire a professor for something she said in private.But it turned out to be a $1.9 million mistake.
The University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees approved a settlement with former assistant professor Tamar Shirinian, who was fired in February after a private Facebook comment she made following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk went viral.
Shirinian had written, on a friend’s private post, that the “world is better off without him in it.”
That’s it.
A private comment.On a private post.Shared between friends.
A right-wing social media provocateur found it, spread it, and stirred up a crowd demanding her job.
The University of Tennessee — a public institution protected by the First Amendment — acted quickly.Within three days of the comment going public, UT System President Randy Boyd announced an investigation.Chancellor Donde Plowman suspended Shirinian right away and started the firing process.By February, she was gone.
Shirinian filed a lawsuit in federal court.
Now, the university that fired her to please an online crowd is giving her a $1.9 million check.
Let’s be clear about what happened here.
A public university — supported by taxpayer money, legally required to protect free speech — fired a faculty member not because she broke any law, not because she harassed anyone, not because she did anything while teaching, but because some conservatives online were angry.
The board chair even claimed the $1.9 million payout was a smart financial decision, saying “those resources are better used to support the institution’s mission, vision, and values.”
But where were those values when the online mob came knocking?
Academic freedom?Free speech?Due process?They were nowhere to be seen.
Shirinian won’t be brought back.
The university keeps its reputation.But Tennessee taxpayers now owe nearly two million dollars because administrators chose viral outrage over constitutional rights.
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