UT to – The University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees approved a settlement with former assistant professor Tamar Shirinian, agreeing to pay $1.9 million after she was fired over a Facebook comment made two days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Shirinian wi
A settlement worth $1.9 million is now headed toward approval after the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees acted to close out the case of a former professor fired over a Facebook comment tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Board members approved the deal with former assistant professor Tamar Shirinian. and the agreement provides that she will not be reinstated at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. State officials, including the attorney general and Gov. Bill Lee, still need to approve the settlement before it can move forward.
“I also want to say on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the confidence and support we have in President Boyd and Chancellor Plowman as they continue to lead the UT System and the Knoxville campus, and we thank you for your leadership,” board chair John Compton said at the meeting.
Shirinian’s attorney, Robb Bigelow, said in an email to Knox News that his client was satisfied the parties reached an outcome.
“My client is pleased that the parties reached a resolution,” Bigelow wrote. “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.”
The board approved the settlement after an audit and compliance committee met following a nonpublic session. Compton recused himself from the vote.
“Any continuing litigation would require significant time and attention, and financial resources,” Compton said after the vote on June 29. “and those resources are better directed toward advancing the institution’s mission, vision and values.”
A court filing made late on June 29 states that the parties will notify the court when all details are finalized.
The firing that followed a viral Facebook comment
The dispute began Sept. 12, 2025, two days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Shirinian made a “crass Facebook comment” on a friend’s private post, including language that said “the world is better off without him in it.”
A social media provocateur spread Shirinian’s comment online, which drew public outrage and included calls for the university to fire her.
UT System President Randy Boyd announced an investigation on Sept. 15, 2025. Shortly after, Chancellor Donde Plowman suspended Shirinian and began the firing process.
Shirinian sued the university in federal court on Oct. 29. Plowman finalized her decision to fire Shirinian on Feb. 11.
Where the case stands now
The settlement approved by the UT System Board of Trustees marks an end point for a case that moved quickly once the comment went viral—first into public outrage, then into an internal investigation, then into federal litigation.
With Shirinian not slated for reinstatement at UT Knoxville and state leaders—including the attorney general and Gov. Bill Lee—still required to approve the agreement, the settlement’s final landing still depends on the next step of government review.
University of Tennessee Tamar Shirinian $1.9 million settlement Charlie Kirk assassination Bill Lee attorney general federal lawsuit UT Knoxville Randy Boyd Donde Plowman
So basically she got fired for a Facebook comment and now they pay $1.9M? Seems backwards.
I don’t even know what she said but if it was only two days after that happened… people are too trigger-happy. Also Gov. Bill Lee has to approve?? weird.
Wait, Charlie Kirk was assassinated?? I thought that was all exaggerated online. If it was “tied to” his death then how is paying money the fix? Shouldn’t they be asking what the comment actually was.
This is gonna sound bad but I feel like universities just toss people and then later pay out when they realize they messed up. And of course it’s Facebook like that somehow equals “no job.” Hope the attorney general actually reviews it instead of rubber stamping.