Identity of Speakers
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Darren Michael
Faculty/Staff
OtherTenured theatre professor at Austin Peay State University.
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Social media
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Faculty sanctioned
State Campus Free Speech Act
Title IX or other federal statute
Other
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Incident Status:
Settled
No litigation
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
Following the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 6, 2025, universities across the country scrutinized faculty and staff social media posts reacting to his death. At Austin Peay State University, the attention quickly focused on tenured theatre professor Darren Michael, who had reshared a 2023 headline quoting Kirk on gun deaths. On September 8, 2025, the university terminated Michael’s employment, stating that the post was “insensitive” and “disrespectful” and could be interpreted as justifying or endorsing unlawful death.
The termination immediately drew internal concern from faculty members, who questioned whether the administration had followed required procedures for dismissing a tenured professor. The Faculty Senate reviewed the matter and, by September 22, concluded that the university had not complied with its Policy on Academic Tenure and Termination of Faculty Members for Adequate Cause. Senators emphasized that the policy required notice, review by a hearing committee, and a formal determination of adequate cause, none of which had occurred before Michael was fired.
In response to those findings, the university reversed its decision the following day. On September 23, APSU rescinded the termination and placed Michael on suspension instead. Administrators said the suspension was intended to preserve disciplinary authority while allowing time to initiate the required tenure review process and determine whether grounds existed to revoke tenure in accordance with policy.
The matter remained unresolved through the fall, as the university continued to face criticism over its handling of the case and its adherence to due process protections for tenured faculty. On December 30, 2025, APSU reinstated Michael to his tenured position, restoring his employment status before the conclusion of further proceedings.
The dispute formally concluded on January 7, 2026, when the university finalized a settlement that included a $500,000 payment and reimbursement for certain expenses. APSU acknowledged that it had failed to follow its own tenure termination procedures and issued an apology. The resolution occurred amid a broader reassessment by universities of disciplinary actions taken against faculty members for social media commentary related to Kirk’s death.
