UT settlement – The University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees approved a settlement of $1.9 million with former assistant professor Tamar Shirinian after she was fired over a viral Facebook comment following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Shirinian will not be reinstate
When the University of Tennessee System Board of Trustees voted to settle Tamar Shirinian’s lawsuit, it wasn’t a win that looked like a return to campus. It was an ending without reinstatement.
On June 29, the board approved an agreement that will pay the former assistant professor $1.9 million. Shirinian will not be reinstated at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Before the settlement can take effect, state officials—including the attorney general and Gov. Bill Lee—must approve the deal.
Shirinian’s attorney, Robb Bigelow, said in an email to Knox News: “My client is pleased that the parties reached a resolution.” He added, “Litigation is always difficult, and we’re grateful to everyone on both sides who worked diligently to bring this matter to a close.”
Bigelow also said, “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 decision came after a meeting of the board’s audit and compliance committee held following a nonpublic session. Board chair John Compton recused himself from the vote.
After the approval, Compton said, “Any continuing litigation would require significant time and attention, and financial resources,” adding that those resources were “better directed toward advancing the institution’s mission, vision and values.”
A court filing made late June 29 stated that the parties will notify the court once all settlement details are finalized. The court is requiring both parties to file the final document ending the court case by Aug. 28.
Compton also used the board meeting to speak to leadership inside the UT System. He said the board has “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 thanked them for their leadership.
The lawsuit grew out of a sequence that began far from the boardroom.
On Sept. 12, 2025, two days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, Shirinian made a Facebook comment on a friend’s private post that went viral. In the comment, she said in part that “world is better off without him in it.”
A social media provocateur spread Shirinian’s comment online, sparking public outrage and urging the university to fire her.
UT System President Randy Boyd announced an investigation on Sept. 15, 2025. Chancellor Donde Plowman suspended Shirinian and began the firing process. Shirinian then sued the university in federal court on Oct. 29. Plowman finalized her decision to fire Shirinian on Feb. 11.
The board’s settlement now closes the federal fight, but it leaves open the question that follows any viral discipline decision: where a line is drawn between speech, consequences, and the institutions that have to respond.
For Shirinian, the resolution is final on paper—$1.9 million, no reinstatement—while the formal process continues through state approval and a court filing due by Aug. 28.
University of Tennessee Tamar Shirinian Charlie Kirk settlement $1.9 million fired professor Knox News Bill Lee Donde Plowman Randy Boyd
So they fired her for a FB comment? Wild.
Charlie Kirk got assassinated and then this professor said something online?? I don’t even know what she said, but 1.9 million sounds like a lot for “just a comment.” Seems like UT just wanted it to go away.
Wait she won money but not reinstated… so basically they pay her to shut up? Also Gov Bill Lee has to approve like it’s some kind of budget thing? Sounds like politics more than justice to me.
This is why I don’t post anything when stuff goes viral. But honestly if it was “after Charlie Kirk’s assassination” then maybe she meant something else? People always read comments like 2 seconds and then boom fired. 1.9 mil is crazy though, I’m not doing all that typing for that paycheck.