Employees and Students at These Colleges Have Been Punished for Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Death

Since Charlie Kirk’s murder on September 10 at Utah Valley University, the reactions of higher-education faculty, staff, and students have come under intense scrutiny.

A pattern has emerged: The college employee or student says something negative about Kirk — mostly online, but occasionally in class or on campus. State and congressional lawmakers and right-wing social-media accounts amplify the comments and advocate for the colleges to take disciplinary action. Some lawmakers have threatened to pull funding or enact other consequences if the colleges don’t fire the employees.

Given that pressure, a number of colleges have moved swiftly to punish faculty and staff members for speech that they argue crossed a line. Some of the professors are tenured or tenure track, a designation that typically affords a right to a hearing before termination.

In one case that drew particular attention, a student expelled from Texas Tech University was arrested after she taunted people who attended a vigil for Kirk.

The Chronicle has documented the college employees and students who have been fired, suspended, expelled, or disciplined in some way as a result of opinions they’ve expressed about Kirk. If you have a tip or feedback, contact newseditor@chronicle.com.