U Tennessee to Pay Millions to Prof Fired for Kirk Comments

The University of Tennessee System will pay $1.9 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a former professor who was fired for comments she made about the late conservative pundit Charlie Kirk, Knox News reported Monday. State officials must now approve the settlement. 

Tamar Shirinian, an assistant anthropology professor, was fired in February, five months after she posted on Facebook that the “world is better off without [Kirk] in it” and called his wife, Erika, a “sick fuck for marrying him.” Shirinian sued, arguing that her First Amendment rights were violated and calling on the court to disclose the name of a donor who threatened to pull a $10 million gift if she was not fired, Knox News reported. Shirinian will not be reinstated. 

“My client is pleased that the parties reached a resolution,” Shirinian’s attorney, Robb Bigelow, told Knox News. “Litigation is always difficult, and we’re grateful to everyone on both sides who worked diligently to bring this matter to a close … We believe the resolution reflects the seriousness of the issues while allowing everyone to move forward. We wish the University nothing but success in the future.”

Shirinian is one of several higher education employees to receive a settlement after being fired for making public comments about Kirk in the wake of his death. In January, Austin Peay State University, also in Tennessee, reinstated and paid $500,000 to a professor who was fired for sharing an old news headline that mentioned Kirk’s view on gun rights. Former Ball State University staff member Suzanne Swierc received a $225,000 settlement after she was fired for posting, “If you think Charlie Kirk was a wonderful person, we can’t be friends” on Facebook.

After the system board voted to approve the settlement with Shirinian, Board Chair John Compton thanked UT System President Randy Boyd and UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman.

“Any continuing litigation would require significant time and attention, and financial resources,” Compton said, “and those resources are better directed toward advancing the institution’s mission, vision and values.”