Knoxville, Tennessee, September 16, 2025
News Summary
The University of Tennessee System has suspended assistant professor Tamar Shirinian following her controversial social media comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. Shirinian’s remarks, which included a statement claiming, ‘The world is better off without him in it,’ drew widespread criticism and were deemed inappropriate for an academic context. The university emphasized its commitment to civil discourse and condemned any form of violence. This incident has sparked debate among political leaders and raised questions about faculty accountability in academic settings.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE — The University of Tennessee System has suspended assistant professor Tamar Shirinian from its Knoxville campus following her inflammatory social media comments regarding the recent death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This action was taken on September 15, 2023, in response to criticism of Shirinian’s remarks that were deemed inappropriate for an academic environment.
Shirinian, who teaches anthropology with a focus on cultural anthropology and has research interests in queer and feminist theory, posted a comment stating, “The world is better off without him in it,” regarding Kirk’s fatal shooting. Her message also included an expletive directed at Kirk and suggested that his family might be better off without him, prompting widespread backlash.
The university’s spokeswoman, Kerry Gardner, confirmed that Shirinian’s comments did not align with the institution’s expectations for civil discourse among faculty members. In a statement, the university emphasized its commitment to ensuring a healthy educational environment, denouncing any form of endorsing violence or murder.
Following the incident, the university moved quickly to confirm Shirinian’s employment and subsequently removed her faculty profile from the university website by noon on the day of her suspension. The controversy drew attention from various conservative figures, including activist Robby Starbuck, who shared Shirinian’s comments to his substantial social media following, urging people to contact university leaders and demand accountability.
UT System President Randy Boyd criticized Shirinian’s remarks as “reprehensible,” affirming that they do not represent the values upheld by the university. Chancellor Donde Plowman echoed these sentiments, reinforcing that promoting violence is unacceptable within an academic setting and reinforcing the university’s dedication to fostering a respectful environment for learning and discourse.
The suspension of Shirinian comes amid a wave of similar incidents across Tennessee universities, where several faculty members have faced repercussions for their comments regarding Kirk’s death. Public figures such as U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Representative Tim Burchett have voiced their support for Shirinian’s termination, asserting accountability for her actions. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee also expressed his gratitude toward the university’s leadership for taking swift action against Shirinian, aligning with the general sentiment that such remarks do not belong in an educational institution.
In light of these events, the university reiterated its commitment to shaping future leaders and educators in a manner that is respectful and promotes a safe learning environment for all students within the community.
FAQ
- What led to the suspension of Tamar Shirinian?
The University of Tennessee suspended Tamar Shirinian for her social media comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s death, which were deemed inappropriate and not reflective of the university’s values. - What was Shirinian’s comment about Charlie Kirk?
Shirinian stated, “The world is better off without him in it,” and included an expletive reference to Kirk. - What actions did the university take in response to the incident?
The university suspended Shirinian and removed her faculty profile from the website, stating that her actions did not meet their expectations for civil engagement. - What do university officials say about the situation?
University officials, including President Boyd and Chancellor Plowman, condemned Shirinian’s comments as unacceptable and emphasized their commitment to maintaining a respectful educational environment. - Have other faculty members faced repercussions for similar comments?
Yes, multiple faculty members across Tennessee have experienced consequences for comparable comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | September 15, 2023 |
| Individual Involved | Tamar Shirinian, Assistant Professor of Anthropology |
| Comment Made | “The world is better off without him in it.” |
| Institution Response | Suspension and removal of faculty profile |
| Public Response | Criticism from political leaders and social media figures |
| University Statement | Condemnation of violence and commitment to respectful education |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Tennessee Suspends Professor Over Controversial Comments
Additional Resources
- WATE: UT Knoxville Faculty Member Placed on Administrative Leave
- Wikipedia: Tamar Shirinian
- Knox News: Charlie Kirk Post Spurs Investigation
- Google Search: Tamar Shirinian
- Hindustan Times: Who is Tamar Shirinian?
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violence
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
