University of Tennessee to pay $1.9M to professor fired over Charlie Kirk comment
University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approves settlement with former assistant professor Tamar Shirinyanagreed to pay $1.9 million to the fired faculty member.
Shirinian will not be admitted back to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. State officials, including the attorney general and Gov. Bill Lee, must approve the agreement.
“My client is pleased that the parties have reached a resolution,” Shirinian’s attorney, Robb Bigelow, said in an email to Knox News. “Litigation is always difficult and we are grateful to everyone on both sides who worked diligently to bring this matter to conclusion.
“We believe the decision reflects the seriousness of the issues while allowing everyone to move forward. We wish the university nothing but success in the future.”
The board’s audit and compliance committee met to approve the deal after a non-public hearing, and board chairman John Compton recused himself from the vote.
“Any ongoing litigation will require significant time, attention, and financial resources,” Compton said after the June 29 vote, “and those resources are better directed to advancing the institution’s mission, vision, and values.”
A court filing filed late June 29 stated that the parties would notify the court once all the details were finalized.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I also want to express our confidence and support in President Boyd and Chancellor Plowman as they continue to lead the UT System and the Knoxville campus,” Compton said at the board meeting.
Tamar Şirinyan’s legal struggle has ended
The situation began on September 12, 2025, two days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Sirinyan did it Rude comment from Facebook “the world is better off without him,” a friend’s private post reads in part.
A social media provocateur spread Shirinian’s comment online, sparking public outrage and calling on the university to fire him.
UT System President Randy Boyd released a statement investigation September 15, 2025 and Chancellor Donde Plowman He suspended Shirinian and began the expulsion process against him. old professor sued the university in federal court On October 29, Plowman finalized his decision to fire Shirinian on February 11.
Keenan Thomas He is the higher education reporter for Knox News. Email: kesyan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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This article first appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee to pay $1.9 million to professor fired over Charlie Kirk comment
