"Austin Peay State University has reinstated a professor who was fired for his social media post after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Tennessee school is also paying the teacher $500,000 in the settlement. Austin Peay spokesperson Brian Dunn said Darren Michael returned to his position as a tenured faculty member at the public university in Clarksville effective Dec. 30. A copy of the settlement agreement obtained through a public records request includes a $500,000 payment and reimbursement of counseling."
"In a Dec. 30 email to the university community, Austin Peay President Mike Licari said the school did not follow the required tenure termination process. The communication was another requirement under the settlement. Licari added, "I deeply regret and apologize for the impact this has had on Professor Michael and on our campus community. I am committed to ensuring that due process and fairness are upheld in all future actions.""
Austin Peay reinstated Darren Michael as a tenured faculty member effective Dec. 30 and agreed to a settlement including a $500,000 payment and reimbursement of counseling. Tennessee officials including the governor, attorney general and comptroller authorized the settlement payment. Michael, a theater and dance professor, had faced conservative backlash and workplace punishment over an online post about Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting and was placed in suspension status. University President Mike Licari acknowledged that the required tenure termination process was not followed, apologized for the impact on Michael and the campus, and committed to upholding due process and fairness going forward.
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